Cricket Umpire Signals Explained: All Signals, No Ball, Wide, Out, Four, Six & More

Cricket is full of moments that happen in seconds. A ball is bowled, the batter misses it, the wicketkeeper appeals, and suddenly the umpire raises a finger or stretches both arms wide. For experienced cricket fans, these gestures are instantly recognizable. For beginners, they can be confusing.

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Cricket umpire signals are a standardized visual language used to communicate decisions and scoring information clearly during a match. They are particularly important because the umpires are often far away from the scorers, and the noise of a cricket stadium makes verbal communication difficult.

From No Ball, Wide, Out, Four and Six to Bye, Leg Bye, Short Run, Dead Ball, Revoke Last Signal and penalty runs, every important signal has a specific meaning.

This complete guide explains the major umpire signals in cricket, how they are made, when they are used, and what they mean to players, scorers and spectators.

Quick answer: Cricket umpires use standardized hand and arm signals to communicate decisions and scoring events to players and scorers. Common signals include Out, No Ball, Wide, Four, Six, Bye, Leg Bye, Dead Ball and Short Run. Additional signals such as Free Hit and Powerplay are used under applicable competition playing conditions.

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What Are Cricket Umpire Signals?

Cricket umpire signals are standardized gestures made by umpires to communicate important match decisions and scoring events.

Some signals are made while the ball is still in play, while others are made after the ball becomes dead and are specifically communicated to the scorers.

The MCC Laws of Cricket define the core signal code used by umpires. The signals include Dead Ball, No Ball, Out, Wide, Boundary Four, Boundary Six, Bye, Leg Bye, penalty runs, New Ball, Revoke Last Signal and Short Run, among others.

These signals help ensure that:

• Players understand the umpire’s decision.
• Scorers record the correct event.
• Spectators can understand what happened.
• Match officials can communicate without relying only on speech.
• The official score remains accurate.

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Why Are Umpire Signals Important in Cricket?

Imagine a packed cricket stadium with tens of thousands of spectators. The umpire cannot simply shout every decision toward the scoring box.

Instead, a clear visual signal can communicate the decision instantly.

For example:

• One finger raised → Out
• One arm extended sideways → No Ball
• Both arms extended sideways → Wide
• Both arms raised above the head → Six
• One arm waved sideways → Four

The signals therefore act as a universal communication system between the umpire and the scorers.

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Complete List of Cricket Umpire Signals

Here are the major umpire signals you should know:

Umpire Signal	What It Means
☝️ One Finger Raised	Out
🙅 Both Arms Extended	Wide
➡️ One Arm Horizontal	No Ball
✋ Open Hand Above Head	Bye
🦵 Hand Touching Raised Knee	Leg Bye
🙌 Both Arms Above Head	Six
↔️ Arm Waved Side to Side	Four
🤝 Wrists Crossed Below Waist	Dead Ball
💪 Bent Arm Touching Shoulder	Short Run
🔄 Both Shoulders Touched	Revoke Last Signal
👋 Repeated Shoulder Tap	Five Penalty Runs to Batting Side
🤚 Hand on Opposite Shoulder	Five Penalty Runs to Fielding Side
🏏 Ball Held Above Head	New Ball
🔄 Arm Circular Motion	Free Hit*
🔄 Large Arm Rotation	Powerplay*

*Free Hit and Powerplay signals depend on the applicable competition playing conditions rather than being ordinary universal Law signals. The exact playing conditions can vary by competition and format.

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1. Out Signal

The Out signal is one of the most recognizable signals in cricket.

How does the umpire signal Out?

The umpire raises one arm and lifts the index finger above the head.

☝️ One finger raised = Out

This usually follows an appeal from the fielding side.

The decision may be for:

• Bowled
• Caught
• LBW
• Run Out
• Stumped
• Hit Wicket
• Other applicable dismissals

The MCC Laws specify that the Out signal is made by raising the index finger above the head.

What if the batter is not out?

The umpire may verbally call “Not out.”

Interestingly, Not Out does not have a separate standardized hand signal in the core signal code equivalent to the Out finger signal.

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2. No Ball Signal

The No Ball signal is one of the most frequently seen signals in limited-overs cricket.

How does an umpire signal No Ball?

The umpire extends one arm horizontally.

➡️ One arm extended sideways = No Ball

The signal is specified in the Laws of Cricket.

A No Ball can be called for several reasons, including certain illegal bowling actions, front-foot infringements, dangerous deliveries and fielding-position violations under the applicable Laws and playing conditions.

A No Ball carries a penalty of one run under the Laws, and the delivery does not count as one of the six valid balls in an over.

Important

A No Ball does not automatically mean the ball is dead. Under Law 21, the ball can remain in play after the No Ball call.

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3. Wide Signal

A Wide is another signal that cricket viewers see regularly.

How does an umpire signal Wide?

The umpire extends both arms horizontally.

🙅 Both arms stretched sideways = Wide

The MCC specifies this as the official Wide signal.

A Wide is generally called when the ball passes outside the striker’s reach and would have passed wide of a batter in a normal batting position, subject to the detailed provisions of Law 22.

A Wide carries a one-run penalty and does not count as a valid ball of the over.

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4. Four Runs Signal

When a batter hits the ball to the boundary for four, the umpire signals four runs.

How does an umpire signal Four?

The umpire waves one arm from side to side, finishing with the arm across the chest.

↔️ Arm waved side to side = Four

This signal is normally made to the scorers once the ball is dead.

A boundary four can result from:

• A batter’s shot reaching the boundary.
• Certain overthrow situations.
• Other boundary allowances under the Laws.

The exact scoring treatment depends on how the boundary occurred.

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5. Six Runs Signal

A six has one of the easiest umpire signals to recognize.

How does an umpire signal Six?

The umpire raises both arms above the head.

🙌 Both arms raised overhead = Six

This indicates that six runs have been awarded for a boundary.

The MCC’s official signal code specifies both arms above the head for a Boundary Six.

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6. Bye Signal

A Bye is an extra awarded when the ball passes the striker without touching the bat or the batter’s person in circumstances where the Laws allow the runs to be scored as byes.

How does an umpire signal Bye?

The umpire raises an open hand above the head.

✋ Open hand above head = Bye

The signal is made to the scorers after the ball becomes dead.

Byes are recorded as extras and are not added to the batter’s individual score.

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7. Leg Bye Signal

A Leg Bye occurs when the ball hits the batter’s person rather than the bat, subject to the conditions of the Laws.

How does an umpire signal Leg Bye?

The umpire touches a raised knee with the hand.

🦵 Hand touching raised knee = Leg Bye

This is the official signal specified by MCC.

Like byes, leg byes are extras and do not count as runs credited to the batter.

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8. Dead Ball Signal

Sometimes play needs to stop because the ball is no longer considered live.

How does an umpire signal Dead Ball?

The umpire crosses and re-crosses the wrists below the waist.

🤝 Crossed and re-crossed wrists = Dead Ball

This is the official signal in the Laws.

Dead Ball can arise in a variety of situations defined under Law 20.

It is important to remember that Dead Ball is not the same thing as No Ball or Wide.

A No Ball or Wide can carry scoring consequences, while Dead Ball is primarily a declaration that the ball is no longer in play.

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9. Short Run Signal

A short run occurs when a batter fails to make good their ground while turning for a further run.

How does an umpire signal Short Run?

The umpire bends one arm upward and touches the nearer shoulder with the fingertips.

💪 Bent arm touching shoulder = Short Run

The signal is made to the scorers when the ball is dead.

A short run can affect the number of runs credited from a particular delivery.

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10. Revoke Last Signal

Umpires can occasionally need to correct a signal.

How does an umpire revoke the previous signal?

The umpire touches both shoulders, each with the opposite hand.

🔄 Both shoulders touched = Revoke Last Signal

This tells the scorers that the previous signal should be cancelled or withdrawn. The correct signal can then be communicated.

This is particularly important because scoring decisions need to be accurately recorded.

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11. Five Penalty Runs to the Batting Side

Five penalty runs can be awarded to the batting side under certain circumstances.

How is the signal made?

The umpire repeatedly taps one shoulder with the opposite hand.

👋 Repeated shoulder tapping = Five Penalty Runs to the Batting Side

The official signal code specifies this gesture for five penalty runs awarded to the batting side.

Penalty runs are different from ordinary runs scored by the batters.

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12. Five Penalty Runs to the Fielding Side

Penalty runs can also be awarded to the fielding side under circumstances defined by the Laws.

How does the umpire signal this?

The umpire places one hand on the opposite shoulder.

🤚 Hand on opposite shoulder = Five Penalty Runs to the Fielding Side

This is also part of the MCC signal code.

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13. New Ball Signal

In formats where the new-ball provisions apply, the umpire can communicate that a new ball has been taken.

How does the umpire signal New Ball?

The umpire holds the ball above the head.

🏏 Ball held above the head = New Ball

The signal is included in the MCC’s official umpire signal code.

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14. Free Hit Signal

The Free Hit is especially familiar to fans of ODI and T20 cricket.

A Free Hit is associated with the applicable limited-overs playing conditions following a No Ball.

How does an umpire signal Free Hit?

The umpire makes a circular motion with one arm above the head.

🔄 Circular arm motion above the head = Free Hit

The exact circumstances in which a Free Hit applies are determined by the competition’s playing conditions.

Therefore, it is better not to treat Free Hit as a universal signal applicable to every form of cricket.

What happens during a Free Hit?

Under applicable limited-overs conditions, the batter receives protection from many conventional forms of dismissal on the following delivery.

The precise dismissal restrictions and continuation of the Free Hit are governed by the relevant playing conditions.

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15. Powerplay Signal

Powerplays are associated primarily with limited-overs cricket and fielding restrictions.

How does an umpire signal Powerplay?

The umpire uses a large circular arm movement to communicate the start of a Powerplay phase where the applicable playing conditions require the signal.

The exact Powerplay structure depends on the format and competition.

For example, ODI and T20 cricket have different fielding-restriction structures, while Test cricket does not use the same Powerplay system.

Why is the Powerplay signal important?

It tells teams and scorers that the fielding restrictions applicable to that phase have begun or changed.

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Umpire Signals While the Ball Is in Play vs After the Ball Is Dead

Not every signal is made at the same time.

The MCC divides the core signals into different situations.

Signals made while the ball is in play include:

• Dead Ball
• No Ball
• Out
• Wide

The Laws specify that once the ball is dead, the bowler’s-end umpire repeats the relevant signals to the scorers, except for the Out signal.

Signals made to scorers after the ball is dead include:

• Four
• Six
• Bye
• Leg Bye
• Penalty runs
• New Ball
• Revoke Last Signal
• Short Run

This distinction is useful because an umpire’s signal is not always intended primarily for the crowd.

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Why Does the Umpire Signal to the Scorers?

The scorers are responsible for maintaining the official score.

They need to know exactly what happened on each delivery.

For example, suppose a batter misses a delivery and the ball races away to the boundary.

The scoring result could potentially involve:

• Wide
• Bye
• Leg Bye
• Four
• Four Byes
• Four Leg Byes

The umpire’s signal helps the scorers correctly identify the event.

This is why umpire signals are an essential part of the scoring system rather than simply gestures for television viewers.

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No Ball vs Wide Signal

These two signals are frequently confused by beginners.

Feature	No Ball	Wide
Signal	One arm horizontal	Both arms horizontal
Basic penalty	1 run	1 run
Counts as legal ball?	No	No
Ball can remain in play?	Yes	Yes
Common reason	Illegal delivery	Ball outside batter’s reach
Free Hit	Depending on applicable playing conditions	No
Main Law	Law 21	Law 22

A No Ball call overrides a Wide call when both might otherwise apply. MCC Law 21 expressly states that No Ball overrides Wide.

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Four vs Six Signal

These are among the easiest signals to learn.

Four

One arm waved from side to side.

↔️ = Four

Six

Both arms raised above the head.

🙌 = Six

The major difference is therefore very easy to remember:

One arm moving = Four. Two arms up = Six.

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Bye vs Leg Bye Signal

These two extras are also easy to confuse.

Bye

Open hand above the head.

✋ = Bye

Leg Bye

Hand touching a raised knee.

🦵 = Leg Bye

The difference reflects the type of contact involved in the delivery.

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Out vs Not Out

The Out signal is very clear:

☝️ Index finger raised above the head = Out

If the umpire does not agree with an appeal, the umpire can call:

“Not out.”

This is especially important when the fielding side appeals for:

• LBW
• Caught
• Stumped
• Run Out
• Other dismissals

If DRS is available, a decision may subsequently be reviewed according to the applicable playing conditions.

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What Happens After an Umpire Gives a Signal?

The signal does not necessarily mean the scoring process is finished.

For example:

1. The delivery takes place.
2. The umpire makes a call.
3. The ball becomes dead where applicable.
4. The umpire communicates the appropriate signal.
5. The scorers record the event.
6. The score is updated.

This is particularly important for extras.

A single delivery could involve multiple scoring components, such as a No Ball plus runs scored from the bat.

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Can an Umpire Change a Decision?

Yes, subject to the Laws.

MCC Law 2.12 states that an umpire may alter a decision provided the alteration is made promptly and does not contradict the applicable provisions of the Laws.

This is why the Revoke Last Signal exists as part of the umpire’s communication system.

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Umpire Signals and the Scorecard

Umpire signals directly affect how events appear in a cricket scorecard.

For example:

No Ball

A No Ball may appear as:

1nb

Wide

A Wide may appear as:

1wd

Bye

A Bye may be recorded as:

1b

Leg Bye

A Leg Bye may be recorded as:

1lb

Four

A boundary may be recorded as:

4

Six

A boundary may be recorded as:

6

The exact presentation varies between scorecards and scoring systems, but the underlying classification is important.

For more information about reading a scorecard, see our guide:

[Cricket Scoring & Scorecard Explained]

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Umpire Signals Every Cricket Fan Should Memorize

If you are new to cricket, start with these eight signals:

1. Out → One finger raised
2. No Ball → One arm horizontal
3. Wide → Both arms horizontal
4. Four → Arm waved side to side
5. Six → Both arms above head
6. Bye → Open hand above head
7. Leg Bye → Hand touching raised knee
8. Dead Ball → Wrists crossed and re-crossed

Once you know these, you can understand most of the important signals you see during a cricket match.

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Cricket Umpire Signals: Easy Memory Trick

Here is a simple way to remember the most common signals:

One Finger

☝️ Out

One Arm

➡️ No Ball

Two Arms Sideways

🙅 Wide

One Arm Moving

↔️ Four

Two Arms Up

🙌 Six

Open Hand Up

✋ Bye

Hand + Knee

🦵 Leg Bye

Crossed Wrists

🤝 Dead Ball

This simple pattern makes the signals much easier for beginners to remember.

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Why Umpire Signals Matter in Modern Cricket

Modern cricket has become increasingly technical.

Matches now involve:

• Third umpires
• DRS
• Ball tracking
• UltraEdge
• Television replays
• Electronic scoreboards
• Digital scoring systems
• Multiple camera angles

Despite all this technology, the basic communication between the on-field umpire and scorers remains essential.

The umpire’s signal provides a clear official indication of what has happened on the field.

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Umpire Signals and DRS

It is important to distinguish between an umpire signal and a DRS review.

For example:

1. The umpire raises a finger for Out.
2. The batter believes the decision is incorrect.
3. The team requests a review if the applicable playing conditions permit it.
4. The third umpire reviews the available technology.
5. The on-field decision may be confirmed, overturned or otherwise dealt with according to the review protocol.

For a complete explanation of this process, read:

[DRS in Cricket Explained]

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Are All Umpire Signals the Same in Every Format?

Not necessarily.

The core Laws establish the standard umpire signal code, but particular competitions can add signals or procedures through their playing conditions.

For example:

• Test cricket has provisions such as the New Ball signal.
• Limited-overs cricket uses Powerplay-related procedures.
• Limited-overs competitions can use the Free Hit signal.
• Individual leagues can have competition-specific procedures.

Therefore, when discussing signals such as Free Hit or Powerplay, it is important to check the playing conditions of the specific competition.

The MCC Laws provide the general framework, while competition playing conditions can add format-specific requirements.

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Complete Cricket Umpire Signals Table

Signal	Umpire’s Action	Meaning
Out	Index finger raised above head	Batter dismissed
Not Out	Verbal call	Batter not dismissed
Dead Ball	Wrists crossed and re-crossed below waist	Ball is dead
No Ball	One arm extended horizontally	No Ball
Wide	Both arms extended horizontally	Wide
Four	Arm waved side to side	Boundary four
Six	Both arms raised above head	Boundary six
Bye	Open hand above head	Bye runs
Leg Bye	Hand touches raised knee	Leg bye runs
Short Run	Bent arm touches shoulder	Short run
Revoke Last Signal	Both shoulders touched	Previous signal withdrawn
5 Penalty Runs – Batting	Repeated shoulder tapping	Penalty to batting side
5 Penalty Runs – Fielding	Hand on opposite shoulder	Penalty to fielding side
New Ball	Ball held above head	New ball
Free Hit	Circular arm motion above head	Free Hit under applicable conditions
Powerplay	Circular arm movement	Powerplay phase under applicable conditions

The core signals in this table are based on the MCC’s official signal code.

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Common Questions About Cricket Umpire Signals

What is the signal for Out in cricket?

The umpire raises the index finger above the head.

What is the signal for No Ball?

The umpire extends one arm horizontally.

What is the signal for Wide?

The umpire extends both arms horizontally.

What is the signal for Four?

The umpire waves one arm from side to side.

What is the signal for Six?

The umpire raises both arms above the head.

What is the signal for Bye?

The umpire raises an open hand above the head.

What is the signal for Leg Bye?

The umpire touches a raised knee with the hand.

What is the signal for Dead Ball?

The umpire crosses and re-crosses the wrists below the waist.

What is the signal for Short Run?

The umpire bends one arm upward and touches the nearer shoulder.

What is the signal for Free Hit?

In competitions using the Free Hit signal, the umpire makes a circular motion with one arm above the head.

What is the signal for Powerplay?

Where the applicable playing conditions use a Powerplay signal, the umpire uses a circular arm movement to indicate the relevant fielding-restriction phase.

Does Not Out have a hand signal?

The standard MCC signal code specifies the Out signal but does not provide an equivalent separate hand signal for Not Out. The umpire can call “Not out.”

Why does the umpire signal to the scorers?

The signals allow umpires to communicate scoring decisions and other important information accurately to the scorers, even when verbal communication is difficult.

Can an umpire revoke a signal?

Yes. The Laws provide a specific Revoke Last Signal gesture, and an umpire may alter a decision in accordance with the applicable Law.

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Final Takeaway

Cricket umpire signals are an essential part of the game’s communication and scoring system.

The most important signals to remember are:

• ☝️ Out
• ➡️ No Ball
• 🙅 Wide
• ↔️ Four
• 🙌 Six
• ✋ Bye
• 🦵 Leg Bye
• 🤝 Dead Ball
• 💪 Short Run
• 🔄 Revoke Last Signal
• 🏏 New Ball
• 🔄 Free Hit
• 🔄 Powerplay

Once you understand these gestures, watching cricket becomes much easier because you can often understand the umpire’s decision before the commentary explains it.

Umpire signals may look simple, but they form an important communication system connecting the umpires, players, scorers and spectators.

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Official Cricket Rules & References

For authoritative information, readers should refer primarily to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Laws of Cricket and the relevant competition’s official playing conditions.

• MCC — The Laws of Cricket
• MCC — The Umpires and Official Signals
• MCC — No Ball Law 21
• MCC — Wide Ball Law 22

Note: Cricket playing conditions can differ between Tests, ODIs, T20Is and individual competitions. Signals such as Free Hit and Powerplay should therefore be understood according to the applicable competition regulations.

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Related Cricket Guide Articles

Continue learning cricket with our complete guides:

• What Is Cricket?
• Cricket Rules Explained
• Cricket Formats Explained
• Cricket Equipment Guide
• Cricket Batting Guide
• Cricket Bowling Guide
• Cricket Fielding Positions
• Cricket Dismissals Explained
• Cricket Shots Explained
• Cricket Scoring & Scorecard Explained
• DRS in Cricket Explained