If you have ever watched a cricket match and wondered why the umpire suddenly raised a finger, waved both arms, or tapped one shoulder, you are not alone. Umpires communicate almost everything with their hands, and once you learn the language, watching cricket becomes far more enjoyable. This guide to cricket umpire signals explains every official signal you are likely to see, what each one means for the score, and how to read them like a seasoned fan.
Umpire signals exist for a simple reason: a cricket ground is large, the crowd is noisy, and the scorers, players and spectators all need to know instantly what has happened. A raised finger for a dismissal, a wave for a boundary, or a call of “wide” all carry information that changes the match. The signals are standardised under the Laws of Cricket, so the same gesture means the same thing whether you are watching a village match, a county game or a World Cup final.
Cricket Umpire Signals: The Basics Every Fan Should Know
Before we work through each signal in detail, it helps to understand two things. First, there are two on-field umpires: one stands behind the stumps at the bowler’s end, and the other stands at square leg. The bowler’s-end umpire makes most of the decisions about dismissals, no-balls, wides and boundaries, while the square-leg umpire helps with run-outs, stumpings and short runs. Either umpire can signal, and the scorer records what they see.
Second, signals fall into a few families: dismissals, scoring, extras, and match management. Learning one signal from each family gives you most of what you need for a casual afternoon of watching, while learning the full set turns you into the person your friends ask to explain what just happened.
How to Read a Signal in Real Time
When an umpire signals, watch the whole gesture, not just the first movement. Some signals look similar at a glance: a single arm waved across the body means something different from both arms waved across the body, and a finger raised for a dismissal looks nothing like a finger pointed at the sky for a different decision once you know the context. Television coverage usually adds a graphic or a commentator’s explanation, but at a live ground, the umpire’s hands are your best guide.
If you are completely new to cricket, start with our cricket rules for beginners guide first, then return here. Knowing what a wicket, a wide and a boundary are makes every signal instantly meaningful.
Cricket Umpire Signals for Dismissals
Dismissals are the most dramatic moments in cricket, and their signals are deliberately clear.
Out: The Raised Finger
The most famous signal in cricket is the raised index finger. When the bowler’s-end umpire raises one index finger above the head, the batter is out. This is the signal for most dismissals decided by that umpire: bowled, lbw, caught (when the umpire is certain), and others where the bowler’s-end umpire is the decision-maker. Players often appeal loudly before the finger goes up, and the moment of the raise is one of the great theatrical pauses in sport.
Run Out and Stumping Signals
Run-out decisions are usually referred to the television umpire in televised matches, but the on-field signal tradition remains. For a run out, the umpire may point to the end at which the dismissal occurred, or, in some traditions, raise a finger after the replay confirms the decision. Stumpings follow a similar pattern: the square-leg umpire, who has the best view of the crease, is central to the decision, and the raised finger confirms the batter is out.
In televised cricket, you will also see the television referral signal, which we explain below. The key point for fans is that a referral does not mean the on-field umpire was unsure in a bad way; it means the decision was too close for the naked eye, and technology is being used to get it right.
Caught Behind and Other Appeals
When a batter is caught behind the wicket, the bowler, wicketkeeper and slip fielders appeal together, and the umpire either raises the finger or shakes the head to signal not out. The not-out signal is a shake of the head, sometimes with a small wave of the hands, and it is just as important as the out signal, because it tells everyone the appeal has been rejected and play continues.
Cricket Umpire Signals for Boundaries and Scoring
Boundaries are the moments that bring crowds to their feet, and their signals are among the easiest to learn.
Four Runs: The Waving Arm
When the ball reaches the boundary rope after touching the ground, the umpire waves one arm from side to side across the chest. One arm, one wave pattern, four runs. You will see this signal constantly in any match, and it is usually accompanied by the scorer adding four runs and the crowd cheering.
Six Runs: Both Arms Raised
When the ball clears the boundary rope on the full, without bouncing, the umpire raises both arms above the head. Both arms up means six runs, and it is the most celebratory signal in the game. If you remember only two signals, make them this one and the four: together they cover most of the scoring excitement in a match.
Short Run: The Tapping Signal
A short run happens when a batter fails to ground the bat behind the popping crease while running. The umpire signals this by tapping one shoulder with the fingers of the opposite hand, or by bending one arm and tapping the shoulder, to indicate that one run is disallowed. The batting side still keeps the other runs from that passage of play, but the short run itself does not count. This is a rarer signal, but it explains why a scoreboard sometimes shows one fewer run than the crowd expected.
Cricket Umpire Signals for Extras: Wides, No-Balls and Byes
Extras are runs that are added to the batting team’s total without the batter hitting the ball, and each type has its own signal.
Wide Ball: Both Arms Outstretched
For a wide, the umpire stretches both arms out horizontally, like a cross. A wide is called when the ball passes too far from the batter for a fair shot to be played, and one run is added to the total, plus the ball must be bowled again. In limited-overs cricket, wides are called more strictly than in Test matches, which is why you see this signal more often in T20 and ODI games.
No-Ball: One Arm Raised
For a no-ball, the umpire raises one arm horizontally at shoulder height. A no-ball can be called for several reasons: the bowler overstepping the crease, a high full toss above waist height, too many fielders on the leg side, or a dangerous delivery. One run is added, the ball does not count as a legal delivery, and in limited-overs cricket the next delivery is a free hit, which we explain below.
Free Hit: The Circular Arm Signal
After a foot-fault no-ball in limited-overs cricket, the next delivery is a free hit. The umpire signals this by raising one arm and moving it in a circular motion above the head. On a free hit, the batter can only be dismissed by a run out, which encourages bold hitting. Watch for batters swinging freely on a free hit: it is one of the most entertaining passages in short-format cricket.
Bye: One Arm Raised Above the Head
When the ball passes the batter and the wicketkeeper without touching either, and the batters run, the runs are called byes. The umpire signals a bye by raising one arm above the head, with the palm open. Byes count as extras, not as runs to the batter, which matters for batting statistics even though the team total rises by the same amount.
Leg Bye: One Knee Raised and Tapped
When the ball hits the batter’s body or pads (without touching the bat) and the batters run, the runs are leg byes. The umpire signals this by raising one knee and tapping it with the hand. Leg byes also count as extras rather than batter’s runs, and they cannot be scored if the umpire judges the batter made no genuine attempt to play the ball.
Dead Ball: The Crossed Arms Signal
When play is stopped and no runs or dismissals can result, the umpire crosses and uncrosses the arms in front of the body, below the waist. A dead ball can be called for many reasons: a serious injury, an interruption, a ball becoming lost, or a delivery that the umpire judges was not fairly delivered. The crossed-arms signal tells the scorers to ignore what just happened and tells the players to reset.
Cricket Umpire Signals for Reviews, Technology and Match Management
Modern cricket uses technology more than ever, and the signals for reviews and match management are now part of every televised match.
Television Referral: The TV Screen Signal
When an on-field umpire wants the third umpire to check a decision, they draw the outline of a television screen in the air with both index fingers: a rectangle shape. This is the signal for a referral, whether it comes from the umpire or from a player review under the Decision Review System (DRS). Once you see the TV signal, watch the big screen: the third umpire will review replays, and the final decision will be shown as out or not out.
DRS Player Review: The T Signal
When a player team requests a review, the captain or the batter makes a “T” shape with both hands: one hand horizontal above the other vertical hand. This must be done promptly, usually within fifteen seconds of the decision, and each team has a limited number of unsuccessful reviews per innings. The “T” signal is one of the few signals made by players rather than umpires, and it has become iconic in its own right.
New Ball and Powerplay Signals
In longer matches, a new ball becomes available after a set number of overs, and the umpire signals this to the scorers and the fielding captain. Similarly, in limited-overs cricket, fielding restrictions such as the powerplay are part of the match conditions, and the umpires manage them through signals to the scorers and communication with the captains. These are less visible to casual fans than boundary signals, but they explain why a captain suddenly changes the field or why the ball is replaced mid-innings.
Penalty Runs: The Shoulder Tapping Signal
Penalty runs are awarded for certain offences, such as the ball hitting a fielder’s helmet on the ground, deliberate time-wasting, or a fielder deliberately distracting the batter. The umpire signals penalty runs by placing one hand on the opposite shoulder, sometimes repeated for the number of runs. Five penalty runs is the standard award in many cases, and it is added to the batting team’s total or to the fielding team’s total depending on the offence.
Match Over and Last Hour Signals
At the end of a day’s play or a match, the umpire removes the bails from the stumps, which is the traditional signal that play is finished. In Test matches, the umpire may also signal the last hour of play to the scorers and captains. These closing signals are less about the score and more about match management, but they are a satisfying sight for fans who have watched a full day’s cricket.
Cricket Umpire Signals for Beginners: A Quick Reference
If you are learning the signals for the first time, this quick reference covers the ones you will see in almost every match:
- Out: one index finger raised above the head.
- Not out: a shake of the head.
- Four: one arm waved across the chest.
- Six: both arms raised above the head.
- Wide: both arms stretched out horizontally.
- No-ball: one arm raised horizontally at shoulder height.
- Bye: one arm raised above the head, palm open.
- Leg bye: one knee raised and tapped.
- Dead ball: arms crossed and uncrossed in front of the body.
- TV referral: both index fingers drawing a rectangle in the air.
- Player review: a “T” shape made with both hands.
- Free hit: one arm circled above the head.
Keep this list beside you during your next match, and within an innings or two you will be reading signals without thinking about them.
Practical Tips for Reading Cricket Umpire Signals
Learning signals is easier when you watch with intent. First, focus on the bowler’s-end umpire for most decisions, because that umpire makes the calls on dismissals, boundaries, wides and no-balls. The square-leg umpire is worth watching for run-outs and stumpings, but the bowler’s-end umpire is your main guide.
Second, use television replays to your advantage. When a signal confuses you, wait for the replay and the commentator’s explanation, then match the explanation to the gesture you saw. This is how most fans learn, and it works far better than trying to memorise a list before watching.
Third, learn signals in pairs that are easily confused. Four versus six is the classic pair: one arm versus two arms. Bye versus leg bye is another: arm raised versus knee tapped. Wide versus no-ball is a third: both arms out versus one arm out. Learning the pairs prevents the most common mix-ups.
Fourth, remember that signals are for the scorers first. If a signal seems odd, check the scoreboard a few seconds later: the change in the total usually confirms what the signal meant. A wide adds one run and an extra ball; a no-ball adds one run and a free hit follows; a boundary adds four or six immediately.
Finally, enjoy the theatre. Umpire signals are part of cricket’s character, from the slow, deliberate raising of the finger for a big wicket to the joyful both-arms-up for a huge six. They are a language that connects every level of the game, from a village green to a World Cup final, and learning them is a rite of passage for every cricket fan.
For a deeper understanding of the rules behind these signals, a good beginners’ guide to cricket rules explains dismissals, extras and scoring in full. If you want to understand how rain-affected matches are decided, our DLS method explained guide covers the calculation that follows a weather interruption. And if you are curious about where fielders stand when these decisions happen, our fielding positions explained guide maps every position on the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the umpire’s raised finger mean?
A raised index finger means the batter is out. It is the signal for most dismissals decided by the bowler’s-end umpire, including bowled, lbw and caught.
How do you tell a four from a six by the umpire’s signal?
For a four, the umpire waves one arm across the chest. For a six, the umpire raises both arms above the head. One arm means four, two arms means six.
What is the signal for a wide ball?
The umpire stretches both arms out horizontally. One run is added to the total, and the delivery must be bowled again.
What is the signal for a no-ball?
The umpire raises one arm horizontally at shoulder height. One run is added, the ball does not count, and in limited-overs cricket the next delivery is a free hit.
What does the TV signal mean?
When the umpire draws a rectangle in the air with both index fingers, they are referring a decision to the television umpire, who will check replays before confirming out or not out.
What is the “T” signal in cricket?
The “T” shape, made with both hands by a captain or batter, is a player request for a DRS review. It must be made promptly, and teams have a limited number of unsuccessful reviews per innings.
What is the difference between a bye and a leg bye?
A bye is when the ball passes batter and wicketkeeper untouched and runs are taken, signalled by one arm raised above the head. A leg bye is when the ball hits the batter’s body or pads and runs are taken, signalled by tapping a raised knee. Both count as extras, not batter’s runs.
Key Takeaways
- Cricket umpire signals are a standardised hand language used at every level of the game, from village cricket to World Cups.
- The most common signals are out (raised finger), four (one arm waved), six (both arms raised), wide (both arms out) and no-ball (one arm raised).
- Extras have their own signals: byes, leg byes, dead balls and penalty runs are all communicated by hand.
- Modern signals include the TV rectangle for referrals and the player “T” for DRS reviews.
- Learning signals in pairs (four versus six, bye versus leg bye, wide versus no-ball) prevents the most common confusions.
Conclusion
Once you know cricket umpire signals, watching cricket changes completely. You no longer wait for the commentator to explain what happened; you see it in the umpire’s hands the moment it happens. A raised finger, a wave across the chest, both arms in the air: each gesture tells a story, and together they form a language that has served the game for generations.
Keep the quick-reference list from this guide beside you for your next match, and within a few innings the signals will feel natural. From there, the whole game opens up: you will understand why a free hit matters, why a leg bye is not credited to the batter, and why a referral can turn a match. That understanding is what turns a casual viewer into a lifelong cricket fan. For the official Laws behind every signal, visit the MCC Laws of Cricket and the ICC playing conditions pages.