How do I signal to the scorers, and how do I check they have seen it?

Under Law 2.13 of the Laws of Cricket (2017 Code, 4th Edition 2026):

Signals while the ball is in play

• Dead ball: cross and re-cross the wrists below the waist.
• No ball: extend one arm horizontally.
• Wide: extend both arms horizontally.
• Out: raise an index finger above the head.

Telling the scorers

• When the ball is dead, the bowler's end umpire repeats the signals above (except Out) to the scorers.
• Signals made to the scorers only when the ball is dead: Boundary 4 (wave an arm side to side, finishing with it across the chest), Boundary 6 (both arms above the head), Bye (open hand above the head), Leg bye (touch a raised knee with the hand), New ball (hold the ball above the head), Commencement of Last hour (point to a raised wrist with the other hand), Five Penalty runs to the batting side (repeatedly tap one shoulder with the opposite hand), Five Penalty runs to the fielding side (place one hand on the opposite shoulder), Revoke last signal (touch both shoulders, each with the opposite hand), and Short run (bend one arm upwards and touch the nearer shoulder with the fingertips).
• Short run is signalled by the umpire at the end where it occurs, but the bowler's end umpire gives the final signal and tells the scorers how many runs to record if more than one is short.
• Level 3 and Level 4 conduct each have a two-part signal, and each part must be acknowledged separately.

Checking they have seen it

• Wait until each signal has been separately acknowledged by a scorer before allowing play to proceed (Law 2.13.2). Scorers must immediately acknowledge each separate signal (Law 3.3).
• If you give several signals, give them in the order the events occurred. Cricket Australia's technique guidelines say the same.
• Agree the runs, wickets and overs with the scorers at every interval other than a drinks interval, and at the end of the match (Laws 2.15 and 3.2).