How do I score a wide?

Under Law 22 (2026 Laws), the umpire signals a Wide by extending both arms horizontally.

• A 1-run penalty is awarded as soon as Wide is called, and it stands even if a batter is then out.
• All runs from a Wide (the penalty, any runs the batters complete, and any boundary) are scored as Wides.
• All Wides are debited to the bowler (except any 5 penalty runs).
• A Wide does not count as one of the six balls in the over.
• Off a Wide, a batter can only be out Hit wicket, Obstructing the field, Run out or Stumped.

Example: a Wide that the keeper misses and that runs away for 4 is 5 Wides, all against the bowler.

New in 2026: a delivery that bounces over head height of the striker standing upright is now a Wide (Law 22.1.3), not a No ball.

If the delivery is both a No ball and a Wide, No ball takes precedence and the Wide is revoked. If the ball touches the striker's bat or body before a fielder, the Wide is revoked.

Competitions can apply stricter wide rules; for example, the ECB's 2026 20-over playing conditions called a wide for any leg-side ball passing outside the batter's pads.