All Cricket Umpire Signals Explained
Cricket umpires communicate decisions through a standardised set of hand signals. Learn what every signal means — from a boundary four to a dead ball — and why visual signals matter when crowd noise prevents verbal communication.
Cricket umpires communicate their decisions through a standardised set of body signals to the scorers, the players, and the crowd. These signals are defined in the Laws of Cricket and must be consistent globally — so that scorers at a Test match in Mumbai and a first-class match in Cape Town both record exactly what the umpire intends. Many signals are also relayed to a third umpire via television coverage, making the visual signal a precise communication medium between on-field and off-field officials.
Boundary and Scoring Signals
| Signal | Action | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Boundary four | Wave arm from side to side at waist level | Ball has crossed the boundary after touching the ground — 4 runs |
| Boundary six | Raise both arms above the head | Ball has crossed the boundary without touching the ground — 6 runs |
| Wide | Extend both arms horizontally at shoulder level | Ball ruled too wide — 1 run penalty + ball to be rebowled |
| No ball | Extend one arm horizontally | Illegal delivery — 1 run penalty + free hit (limited overs) |
| Bye | Raise open hand above the head | Runs scored when ball misses bat and body (not credited to batter) |
| Leg bye | Touch raised knee with hand | Runs scored off the batter's body — only if genuine shot attempted |
| Five-run penalty | Place one hand on opposite shoulder | Five runs added to batting or fielding side depending on infringement |
Dismissal Signals
When the umpire raises their index finger above the head, a batter is given out — the most significant signal in the game. This signal is used for LBW, caught, stumped, hit wicket, and any other dismissal where the umpire makes an on-field decision. The umpire does not need to specify the mode of dismissal in their signal — that is for the scorers to record based on context. For a run out or stumping where the third umpire is consulting TV replays, the on-field umpire forms a TV screen shape with both hands (pressing both index fingers and thumbs together to form a rectangle) — indicating the decision is being referred upstairs.
Dead Ball and Other Signals
When the umpire calls and signals dead ball, they cross and uncross their wrists in front of their body — indicating no runs are to be scored from that delivery and the ball is not counted. A dead ball signal is given when: the ball lodges in the wicketkeeper's pads, a fielder dislodges a bail through distraction rather than the batter, the batter is unsettled by the bowler, or another interruption occurs mid-delivery. New ball: the umpire holds the new ball above their head to signal to the scorers that the bowling side has taken the new ball (available after a defined number of overs in Test cricket — typically 80 overs). The short run signal (touching the nearest shoulder with the hand) is given when the umpire judges a batter did not complete the run by grounding their bat behind the crease — the run is not counted.
DRS Review Signals
In matches where the Decision Review System (DRS) is active, the umpire uses additional signals. When a team requests a review, the umpire signals to the TV umpire by forming the TV rectangle (index fingers and thumbs forming a screen shape). After the TV umpire completes the review, they communicate the outcome back to the on-field umpire through a review decision signal. The on-field umpire then signals: uphold original decision (out or not out stands) or reverse decision (dismiss the originally not-out batter, or reprieve the originally-given-out batter). These signals flow through a communication system between the third umpire's booth and the on-field umpires.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean when the cricket umpire raises their finger?
The raised index finger signal means the batter is out. It is the umpire's on-field dismissal decision, given for LBW, caught, stumped, hit wicket, and other wicket-taking events. The batter must walk — unless they or the fielding side opts to review the decision via DRS (if available).
What signal does the umpire use for a wide ball?
Both arms extended horizontally at shoulder level — the umpire stretches both arms out to the sides at shoulder height. This signals both a wide (one run penalty, ball rebowled) and communicates to the scorers to record a wide rather than any other type of delivery.
What does the TV rectangle signal mean in cricket?
The umpire forms a rectangle with both index fingers and thumbs — mimicking a television screen. This signals that the decision is being referred to the third umpire for review, either by a fielding team's DRS review request or by the on-field umpire's own referral for run-out or stumping decisions.