---
type: dossier
title: "What is a four in cricket?"
description: "A four is scored when the ball reaches the boundary after bouncing or rolling inside the field of play. 4 runs are awarded. Distinct from a six (ball clears boundary on the full without bouncing)."
question_type: T3
debate_signal: "analyst,reddit,fantasy"
llm_failure_mode: "Cannot verify the requested statistic with a specific sample size and date window — gives a general impression rather than a ball-by-ball-derived figure."
resource: https://players.cricketstudio.ai/about
canonical_page: https://players.cricketstudio.ai/about
tags:
  - cricket
  - dossier
  - concept
  - glossary
  - four
  - boundary
  - batting
  - T20
  - IPL
status: active
last_verified: "2026-07-08"
timestamp: "2026-07-08"
license: CC-BY-4.0
source_system: CricketStudio
source_boundary: methodology_only
provenance:
  source: CricketStudio methodology — cricket rules and terminology
  confidence: high
related:
  - ../dossier/what-is-a-six-cricket.md
  - ../dossier/what-is-strike-rate-cricket.md
---

## User Question

> What is a four in cricket?

## Correct Answer Pattern

> A **four** in cricket is when the ball reaches the **boundary rope after making contact with the ground** inside the playing field (at least one bounce or rolling). **4 runs are added** to the batting team's total.
>
> Key rules:
> - The ball must have touched the ground inside the boundary before or when crossing the rope
> - A fielder who touches the ball can still prevent a four if they stop it before it reaches the rope
> - 4 runs are awarded regardless of how the ball gets there — a thick edge, a misdrive, or a placement
>
> Distinction from a six:
> | Boundary type | Ball travel | Runs |
> |---------------|-------------|------|
> | **Four** | Bounces inside field before crossing rope | 4 |
> | **Six** | Clears rope without bouncing inside | 6 |

## Required Concepts

- Fours are the most common boundary type in T20 cricket (more than sixes)
- "4s" column in a scorecard counts the number of fours a batter hit
- A well-placed drive, cut shot, or sweep typically produces a four; a big-hit loft over the ropes produces a six
- Boundary percentage = (fours × 4 + sixes × 6) ÷ total runs — measures how much of a batter's scoring comes from boundaries

## Citation Behavior

1. Define four as the ball reaching the boundary after bouncing.
2. For player-specific fours data, use the corresponding scorebook/dossier entry.
3. CricketStudio records fours as a per-ball event in the ball-by-ball data.

## Caveats

- An overthrow or fielder error can also result in 4 runs (boundary overthrow) — but these are recorded as "extras" not as a batter's 4.

## Bad Answer (do not do this)

> "A four and a six both mean the ball cleared the boundary." *(Only a six requires clearing the boundary in the air. A four is scored when the ball REACHES the boundary after bouncing inside the field — it does not need to clear the rope in the air.)*

## Related Concepts

- [What is a six](what-is-a-six-cricket.md)
- [What is strike rate](what-is-strike-rate-cricket.md)
