Cricket Umpire Signals — What Every Hand Signal Means
Cricket umpires communicate decisions through standard hand signals. Learn what every signal means — from a boundary four to a wide, dead ball, and five penalty runs.
Cricket umpires communicate with scorers and players through a set of standardised hand signals. Understanding these signals helps fans track exactly what is being awarded — whether a delivery is a wide, a no-ball, a boundary, or a dismissal. Umpires confirm signals to the scorers after each notable event to ensure the scorebook is accurate.
Scoring Signals
- Four: Arm waved in front of the body, swinging low. Signals a boundary worth 4 runs.
- Six: Both arms raised directly above the head. Signals a six off the bat.
- Bye: Open palm raised to the head. Signals runs that bypass both the bat and batter's body.
- Leg bye: Touch of the raised knee. Signals runs that came off the batter's body (not the bat).
- No ball: One arm extended horizontally. Given for overstepping or an illegal delivery.
- Wide: Both arms extended horizontally. Signals a ball too wide for the batter to play.
- Penalty runs: One arm raised, touching the opposite shoulder. Five runs awarded to either team.
Out and Not Out
- Out: Index finger raised to head height. The most iconic umpiring signal — the batter is dismissed.
- Not out: Head shaken, or hands crossed in front of the body. Decision reversed or not upheld on review.
- Dead ball: Both wrists crossed below the waist. No runs scored, no dismissal stands.
- TV review: Square drawn in the air with index fingers. Decision referred to the third umpire.
Frequently asked questions
What does the umpire signal for a six?
Both arms raised directly above the head. This confirms the ball has cleared the rope without bouncing for 6 runs.
What is the umpire's signal for a wide?
Both arms extended horizontally at shoulder height — the signal for a wide delivery that awards 1 extra run to the batting team and requires the bowler to re-bowl.
How does an umpire signal a TV review?
The on-field umpire draws a square shape in the air with both index fingers, indicating the decision is being referred to the third umpire using technology.