A ratchet tool has a handle housing and a ratchet assembly including a pawl and an output shaft. The pawl is moveable between a first position in which the pawl is operatively coupled to drive the output shaft in a first direction and a second position in which the pawl is operatively coupled to drive the output shaft in a second direction opposite the first direction. A switch in the handle housing has an external actuation surface for engagement with an operator's hand. The ratchet tool also has a rotatable gear having at least one tooth, the rotatable gear operatively coupled to the pawl such that rotation of the rotatable gear effectuates movement of the pawl between the first and second positions. A linkage is operatively coupled to the rotatable gear to effectuate rotation of the rotatable gear by actuation of the switch.