Cricket Umpire Signals Explained

Standard Umpire Signals in Cricket

Cricket umpires use a standardised set of hand and arm signals to communicate decisions to the scorers and to make calls visible to players and spectators in large grounds. The signals are defined by the Laws of Cricket and must be acknowledged by the scorers. The most recognised signal in cricket is the raised index finger — the 'out' decision — but there are over fifteen distinct umpire signals in common use.

• Out — index finger raised above the head
• Four — arm waved horizontally toward the boundary
• Six — both arms raised above the head
• Wide — both arms extended horizontally at shoulder height
• No-ball — one arm extended horizontally at shoulder height
• Free hit — one arm circled above the head
• Bye — one arm raised above the head (palm open)
• Leg bye — one leg raised, hand touches knee
• Dead ball — both arms crossed in front of the chest
• Revoke last signal — touching the raised shoulder with the opposite hand

Signal Confirmation by Scorers

Each signal must be acknowledged by the scoring team before it is officially recorded. In broadcast cricket, the umpire typically repeats the signal several times — first toward the scoring box, then toward the audience. Confusion between signals (particularly bye and wide, which look similar at distance) can lead to scoring errors in lower-level cricket. Third umpires in DRS matches also make signals to communicate DRS decisions to the on-field umpires.