Cricket Umpire Signals Explained — All Signals and What They Mean
Every cricket umpire signal from four and six to wide and dead ball — explained with clear descriptions of each arm gesture and when the umpire uses it.
Cricket umpires communicate with scorers and players using a set of standardised arm and body signals. Each signal has a specific meaning defined in the Laws of Cricket. The umpire gives the signal to the scorers at the boundary, who acknowledge it — only once the scorer acknowledges does the decision become official in the scorebook.
Scoring signals
| Signal | Gesture | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Four | Wave arm side to side at waist height | Four runs — ball reached the boundary along the ground. |
| Six | Both arms raised straight above the head | Six runs — ball cleared the boundary without bouncing. |
| One short | Tap one shoulder with the fingertips of the opposite hand | One short run — a batter failed to complete the crease properly; one run is deducted. |
| Bye | Raise open hand above the head | Runs scored off a ball that missed the bat and the body and was not called a wide. |
| Leg bye | Raise knee and tap it | Runs scored after the ball hit the batter's body (not the bat) and was not called a wide. |
Dismissal signals
| Signal | Gesture | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Out | Raise index finger of one hand above the head | The batter is dismissed. |
| Not out | Shake the head and/or wave the hand horizontally | The appeal is rejected. |
Illegal delivery signals
| Signal | Gesture | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| No ball | Extend one arm horizontally | An illegal delivery — runs from the ball plus one extra, must be re-bowled. |
| Wide | Extend both arms horizontally | The delivery was too wide for the batter to play — one extra, must be re-bowled. |
| Free hit | Circular motion of one arm above the head | The next delivery is a free hit (T20/ODI only, following a no-ball). |
Control and play signals
| Signal | Gesture | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dead ball | Cross and re-cross the wrists below the waist | Play has stopped — no runs scored, no dismissal from this delivery. |
| Penalty runs (5 to batting side) | Place one hand on the opposite shoulder | The fielding side has incurred a 5-run penalty; 5 added to the batting team's total. |
| Penalty runs (5 to fielding side) | Place one hand on the opposite shoulder, then tap it | The batting side has incurred a 5-run penalty; 5 added to the fielding team's total. |
| TV replay/DRS | Draw a rectangle in the air with both index fingers | Decision referred to the third umpire or DRS review. |
| Cancel the signal | Tap raised hand to the head | Overrules a previous signal — e.g., cancelling a four when the ball is later adjudged to have carried to a fielder. |
Why signals matter in the modern game
In televised cricket, the umpire's signals are broadcast in real time to millions of viewers, the DRS third umpire, and the on-ground scorers simultaneously. Clarity and speed matter: a delayed or ambiguous signal causes confusion in the commentary box and can lead to incorrect scorebook entries. The Laws require that the umpire confirm each signal with the scorers before the next ball is bowled.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cricket umpire signal for a six?
Both arms raised straight above the head. The umpire uses this to signal that the ball has cleared the boundary without bouncing, awarding six runs.
What does one raised finger mean in cricket?
The umpire raising the index finger of one hand above their head means the batter is out — the appeal is upheld.
What does the circular arm signal mean in cricket?
A circular motion of one arm above the head is the free hit signal, used in T20 and ODI cricket after a no-ball to indicate the next delivery cannot result in most forms of dismissal.
How does the umpire signal a wide?
The umpire extends both arms horizontally out to the sides — the same way both arms are held out level with the shoulders.
What is a dead ball signal?
Crossing and re-crossing the wrists below the waist. Dead ball halts play — no runs can be scored and no dismissal can result from that delivery.