How is an end scored, and how do I measure and decide a close end?

Scoring (R12(b)): when all stones have been played, a team scores one point for each of its own stones in or touching the house that is closer to the tee than any stone of the opposition.

Agreeing the score (R12(c)): the score is decided when the skips or vice-skips in charge of the house agree. If stones that may have affected the points are displaced before that decision, the non-offending team receives the benefit that might have accrued from a measurement.

Measuring (R12(d)-(f)):

• If teams cannot decide visually which stones are closer to the tee, or whether a stone touches the house, a measuring device is used. Measurements are taken from the tee to the nearest part of the stone.
• Any one player on the ice from each team may observe the measurement.
• If two or more stones are so close to the tee that a device cannot be used, the decision is made visually.
• If no decision can be reached either way, the stones are considered equal. If the measure was to decide which team scored, the end is blanked. If it was to decide additional points, only the stones closer to the tee are counted.

When stones may be measured (R2(i)): only visually until the last stone of the end has come to rest, except to check whether a stone is in play, or, before the second, third, fourth or fifth stone of an end, whether a stone is in the Free Guard Zone or the No-Tick Zone.

Stones disturbed before agreement (R12(g)): if an external force displaces stones that would have decided which team scored, the end is replayed. If a team had already secured a point and the displaced stones would have decided extra points, that team may replay the end or keep the points already secured.

Source: World Curling Rules of Curling, 1 September 2026, rules R2(i) and R12.