# Signal metrics

The `signal` metric is Code4rena's accuracy metric for wardens and teams: a means of identifying wardens and teams who have consistently submitted valid findings. For a warden or team, it is the ratio between the number of valid High- or Medium-risk findings versus all of the High and Mediums they've submitted.

`signal = findings / submissions`

A signal of `1` means that the user has consistently submitted valid H and M, whereas a signal of 0 means the user has either submitted only invalid findings or has not yet met the participation threshold to calculate signal.

Contributors' `signal` will display as `null` until they have:

* submitted at least 5 High or Medium severity submissions,
* to at least 3 different finalized C4 audits.

Notes:

* Only High/Hedium severity submissions from finalized audits count toward `signal`. Audits that are still in progress (i.e. results have not been officially announced) do not count toward the thresholds for signal calculation.
* Submissions downgraded to Low severity do not count towards `signal`, to discourage wardens from inflating severity.

## How is `signal` used?

`signal` is a factor in determining eligibility for a variety of privileges within Code4rena competitions, including:

* [Eligibility for the `SR` role](https://docs.code4rena.com/roles/sr-wardens) and its associated privileges
* [Unrestricted submissions](#submission-limits-based-on-signal)
* [PoC requirements waived for high-signal wardens](https://docs.code4rena.com/competitions/submission-guidelines#required-proof-of-concept-poc-for-solidity-evm-audits)

This is not an exhaustive list, and is subject to change.

## Privileges based on signal

### Submission limits based on `signal`

To reduce spam while keeping C4 competitions open to all, `signal` determines the maximum number of submissions wardens/teams can make to each audit.

* The higher your signal , the more submissions you get.
* Low- or no-signal users' submissions are capped, to disincentivize "spray and pray" behavior and encourage newer wardens to focus on their highest-risk, highest-quality findings.
* Earn bonus (or uncapped) submissions by verifying your identity and submitting your tax information.
* Unrestricted submissions unlock at 0.4 (40%) signal + verified ID/tax info.

These limits are subject to change, based on the volume of low-quality/spam submissions we receive over time.

| User's signal   | Max # of submissions per audit | Certified + submitted tax info |
| --------------- | ------------------------------ | ------------------------------ |
| `null` or < 0.2 | 2                              | 4                              |
| 0.2-0.3999      | 2                              | 10                             |
| 0.4+            | 10                             | unrestricted                   |

* If (( signal = `null` (e.g. you are a newly-registered user, or have participated in < 3 finalized audits) OR signal < 0.2 )) and you have not verified your identity and submitted tax info, then you will be limited to 2 submissions per audit.
  * If you meet these criteria, and have both [verified ID](https://docs.code4rena.com/roles/certification-id-verification) and [submitted tax info](https://docs.code4rena.com/awarding/awarding-process#tax-information-for-code4rena-contributors-wardens-judges-etc), then you will unlock 2 bonus submissions per audit (i.e. max 4 submissions in total)
* If your `signal` = 0.2-0.3999 and you have not verified your identity and submitted tax info, then you will be limited to 2 submissions per audit.
  * If you meet these criteria, and have both [verified ID](https://docs.code4rena.com/roles/certification-id-verification) and [submitted tax info](https://docs.code4rena.com/awarding/awarding-process#tax-information-for-code4rena-contributors-wardens-judges-etc), then you will unlock 8 bonus submissions per audit (i.e. max 10 submissions in total)
* If your `signal` ≥ 0.4, you will be limited to 10 submissions per audit.
  * If you meet these criteria, and have both [verified ID](https://docs.code4rena.com/roles/certification-id-verification) and [submitted tax info](https://docs.code4rena.com/awarding/awarding-process#tax-information-for-code4rena-contributors-wardens-judges-etc), then you will have unrestricted submissions.

**How do submission limits apply to teams?**

* Warden teams are subject to the same criteria as individual wardens.
* Submission limits apply to both teams and individual wardens.
* To unlock bonus submissions, *all* members of a team must verify their identity and submit tax info.

### PJQA comments based on `signal`

For competitions starting on or after January 8, 2026, all wardens may comment during post-judging QA (PJQA) if they:

* Have [verified their identity (KYC)](https://docs.code4rena.com/roles/certification-id-verification)
* Have [submitted tax info](https://docs.code4rena.com/awarding/awarding-process#tax-information-for-code4rena-contributors-wardens-judges-etc)
* Submitted at least one finding to the relevant competition

| User's signal   | Max # of PJQA comments per audit | Certified + submitted tax info |
| --------------- | -------------------------------- | ------------------------------ |
| `null` or < 0.2 | 0                                | 1                              |
| 0.2-0.3999      | 0                                | 3                              |
| 0.4+            | 0                                | unrestricted                   |

## High/Medium submissions downgraded to QA

Currently, all High- and Medium-risk submissions that are downgraded to Low-risk (QA) are excluded from `signal` calculations.

We expect this to change in future, and will update this documentation as the formula evolves.

## FAQ

**Q. How can I view my signal?**

A. You can view your `signal` score on [your account settings screen](https://code4rena.com/account).

**Q. How can I view my team's signal?**

A. You can view the score on the [teams page](https://code4rena.com/account/teams) in your account settings

**Q. Who else can see my signal?**

A. Authenticated users can see the `signal` score of wardens and teams alongside their submissions, while logged in to [Code4rena.com](https://code4rena.com).

**Q. How often is signal updated?**

A. It is updated daily.

**Q. What happens if my signal changes — and crosses the submission limit threshold — during an audit?**

A. If a warden’s signal increases to cross a submission limit threshold during an audit, their submission limit will increase accordingly. Conversely, if their signal decreases to drop below a submission limit threshold during an audit, their submission limit will decrease accordingly. Any submissions made prior to the change will be preserved.

**Q. How much historical data does the `signal` calculation use?**

A. The score is calculated with data from March 2023 to present.
