Cricket Umpire Signals Explained: What Each Signal Means

Cricket umpires communicate their decisions using standardised physical signals — arm gestures that can be seen from anywhere in the ground and by television cameras. These signals are necessary because the distance between the umpire and the scorers, fielders, and broadcasters makes verbal communication impractical. Each decision has a unique signal that all players, scorers, and spectators learn to recognise.

Boundary Signals

Four runs (boundary): the umpire waves one arm horizontally across the front of their body — a sweeping side-to-side motion. Six runs (boundary): the umpire raises both arms fully above their head. These are the most celebrated signals in cricket — the six signal from the umpire is the confirmation that spectators wait for after a big hit clears the boundary on the full, and the roar that follows it is one of cricket's defining crowd moments.

Penalty Run Signals

Wide: both arms are extended horizontally to the sides (like a 'T' shape), the umpire holds them still (unlike the four boundary signal which moves). No-ball: one arm is raised horizontally to the side. These are the most frequently confused signals for new spectators because both involve horizontal arm positions. The key difference: wide = both arms out horizontal and stationary; no-ball = one arm out horizontal. Both result in a penalty run and a re-ball.

Out Decisions

When a batter is given out, the umpire raises the index finger of one hand above their head — this 'finger of doom' signal is the most dramatic moment in cricket umpiring. Not out decisions are not signalled formally — the umpire simply shakes their head or remains still. For LBW decisions, the umpire raises the finger while often looking toward the bowler and batter to confirm they are addressing the correct party. For run-outs, the umpire may point to one crease or the other to indicate which batter is out.

Scoring Signals

Leg-bye: the umpire raises one knee and touches it with one hand. Bye: the umpire raises one open hand above their head. These signals communicate that runs were scored without the ball touching the bat (byes = ball missed the batter entirely; leg-byes = ball hit the batter's body rather than their bat) and that the runs should be recorded as extras rather than credited to the batter. Penalty runs (five-run penalties): the umpire places one hand on the opposite shoulder, repeated several times, indicating five penalty runs to the specified team.

Match Management Signals

Dead ball: the umpire crosses their wrists below their waist and then separates them outward — indicating play has stopped and runs cannot be scored. Short run: the umpire touches one shoulder with the near hand, indicating that a run is not to be counted (the batter failed to ground their bat behind the crease when running). Revoke last signal: the umpire touches both shoulders simultaneously with opposite hands, indicating they are withdrawing a signal they just gave (used when an initial decision is reversed).