Cricket Umpire Signals — Every Hand Signal Explained
A complete guide to all 16 cricket umpire hand signals — from four and six to wide, no-ball, dead ball and TV review. Learn what each means and when umpires use them.
Cricket umpires communicate every decision through a standardised set of hand signals visible across the ground to scorers, players and spectators. The Laws of Cricket (MCC Laws, Law 3) define each signal precisely. Knowing what each signal means transforms watching cricket — you understand what happened the instant the umpire moves.
Scoring Signals
Four: umpire waves one arm from side to side at waist height, indicating the ball reached the boundary along the ground. Six: both arms raised above the head, flat-palmed — the ball cleared the boundary without bouncing. Leg byes: umpire touches the raised knee with one hand, indicating runs scored off the body without hitting the bat. Byes: umpire raises one open hand high, indicating runs scored without the ball touching bat or body.
Dismissal Signals
Out: umpire raises the index finger of one hand above the head. This signal is only given after a fielding team's appeal ('Howzat?'). Not out: umpire shakes the head — no finger raised. TV review (DRS): umpire draws a rectangle in the air to indicate the decision is referred to the third umpire via the Decision Review System.
Delivery Signals
Wide: umpire extends both arms horizontally at shoulder height — the delivery was too wide for the batter to play. No-ball: umpire extends one arm horizontally at shoulder height. This signals an illegal delivery, adding one penalty run and entitling the batter to a free hit in T20 and ODI cricket. Dead ball: umpire crosses and re-crosses the wrists below the waist — play has stopped and no runs or dismissals count.
Other Signals
New ball: umpire holds the new ball above the head. Penalty runs (5 runs): umpire places one hand on the opposite shoulder — five penalty runs awarded to batting or fielding side depending on the infraction. Cancel call: umpire raises one arm and waves it across the body — a previous call (e.g. wide) is cancelled, often after a no-ball is also called on the same delivery. Power surge / powerplay: umpire makes a circular motion above the head — used in some limited-overs formats.
DRS and Third Umpire Signals
When the third umpire reviews a decision, they communicate back via a screen signal shown in the ground. Thumbs up means the on-field decision stands (or is upheld if the fielding team reviewed). Thumbs down overturns the on-field decision. The on-field umpire then signals the corrected decision — finger raised for out, shake of the head for not out.
Frequently asked questions
Why do umpires repeat their signals?
To ensure the scorers at the boundary have recorded the correct decision. The scorer raises a hand to confirm they saw it.
Can a fielding team challenge an umpire's wide call?
Yes — under DRS rules at the international level, teams can review wide and no-ball calls in limited-overs cricket if the host board has enabled it.
What does it mean when an umpire taps their own head?
That is not a standard Law signal. In some domestic competitions umpires tap the helmet to indicate a helmet is down or signal to players about field gear.