Cricket Umpire Signals: Every Hand Signal and What It Means
Cricket umpires communicate decisions through a set of standardised hand signals. Learn all the official signals — from four and six to wide and dead ball — and what each one means.
Why Umpire Signals Matter
Cricket umpires communicate decisions using a standardised set of hand and arm signals visible to scorers and spectators at all ends of the ground. These signals have been part of the game for over a century and are defined in the ICC Playing Conditions and the Laws of Cricket.
The Official Umpire Signals
| Signal | Gesture Description |
|---|---|
| Four | Arm waved from side to side below waist |
| Six | Both arms raised above the head |
| Wide | Both arms extended horizontally |
| No ball | One arm extended horizontally to the side |
| Bye | One hand raised above the head, palm open |
| Leg bye | One hand touches the raised leg |
| Dead ball | Both hands crossed and uncrossed in front of body |
| Out | Index finger raised above the head |
| Not out | Head shaken side to side (no formal arm signal) |
| Short run | Arm bent, hand touches near shoulder |
| TV referral | Rectangle formed with both hands (TV screen shape) |
| Five penalty runs | One hand placed on opposite shoulder |
Confirming Decisions to Scorers
After making a decision, the on-field umpire must repeat the signal toward the scorers' box until the scorers acknowledge it. This ensures that all runs, extras, and dismissals are correctly recorded. The signal for 'out' — a raised index finger — is perhaps the most iconic gesture in all of sport.
Square Leg vs Striker's End Umpire
The striker's end umpire (at the bowler's end) makes most decisions — LBW, caught behind, no-balls, and wides. The square leg umpire (positioned behind the batter's leg side) assists with run-outs, stumpings, and watches for front-foot no-balls at the bowling crease.
Frequently asked questions
What does one finger raised mean in cricket?
One index finger raised by the umpire means the batter is out. This is the 'out' signal, one of the most recognised gestures in cricket.
How does an umpire signal a six?
Both arms are raised straight above the head to signal a six. This tells the scorers and crowd that the ball has cleared the boundary without bouncing.
What is the TV referral signal?
The umpire forms a rectangle shape with both hands — mimicking a TV screen — to indicate a decision has been referred to the third umpire via DRS technology.