How to Sign Numbers in Sign Language
Learn numbers in ASL. Sign 0-9 with one hand, with palm-in for 1-5 and palm-out for 6-9. Step-by-step guide, a 0-10 reference table, and counting tips.
Published · 2 min read · Free · No sign-up
Quick answer
In ASL you sign numbers 0 through 9 with one hand. Numbers 1-5 face the palm toward yourself, while 6-9 face the palm outward toward the viewer. Larger numbers combine these handshapes, and the palm orientation is what keeps them clear.
How to Sign Numbers in Sign Language
Counting in American Sign Language (ASL) is done with one hand, and the system is wonderfully logical once you learn the pattern. Numbers 1 through 5 are signed with the palm facing toward yourself, while 6 through 9 flip so the palm faces outward toward the viewer. That palm rule is the secret to keeping the numbers from being confused with one another.
Learning to count is one of the most practical early skills in ASL, useful for ages, prices, dates, phone numbers, and everyday counting.
Step-by-Step: Numbers 1 Through 5
For 1-5, hold your dominant hand up with the palm facing in toward you.
| Number | Handshape |
|---|---|
| 1 | Index finger up, other fingers and thumb closed |
| 2 | Index and middle fingers up |
| 3 | Thumb, index, and middle fingers up |
| 4 | Four fingers up, thumb tucked across the palm |
| 5 | All five fingers spread open |
These five form the foundation, so practice them until each handshape is clean and instant.
Numbers 6 Through 10
For 6-9, turn the palm outward and touch the thumb to a fingertip. Number 10 has its own motion.
| Number | Handshape |
|---|---|
| 6 | Thumb touches the pinky; other fingers extended |
| 7 | Thumb touches the ring finger |
| 8 | Thumb touches the middle finger |
| 9 | Thumb touches the index finger |
| 10 | Fist with the thumb up, shaken slightly at the wrist |
The thumb simply walks across the fingers — pinky for 6, then ring, middle, and index — making 6-9 easy to remember in order.
Numbers vs. Letters: Avoiding Confusion
A few number handshapes resemble alphabet letters, so palm orientation matters.
| Pair | How to Tell Them Apart |
|---|---|
| 2 vs. V | TWO faces the palm in; the letter V faces it out |
| 6 vs. W | SIX touches thumb to pinky; W holds three fingers up |
| 9 vs. F | NINE faces out as a number; F is used in spelled words |
Context — whether you are counting or spelling — usually makes the meaning clear.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Wrong palm direction. Keep 1-5 palm-in and 6-9 palm-out.
- Forgetting the thumb on 3. ASL THREE uses the thumb, index, and middle fingers, not three fingers.
- A static TEN. Number 10 shakes the upright thumb; a still thumbs-up reads differently.
- Mixing up 6-9. Remember the thumb moves pinky, ring, middle, index for 6, 7, 8, 9.
Tips for Learning to Count in ASL
Numbers become fluent with a little daily practice:
- Count everyday objects — stairs, plates, or items in a room.
- Sign your phone number to drill quick handshape changes.
- Practice ages and prices, which come up in real conversation.
- Watch native signers, since higher numbers and number forms (like ordinals and money) follow their own patterns.
Mastering 0-10 first gives you a solid base, and from there you can build toward larger numbers, making counting one of the most rewarding and practical parts of learning ASL.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you count from 1 to 5 in ASL?
Hold your dominant hand up with the palm facing toward yourself. ONE is the index finger up; TWO adds the middle finger; THREE uses the thumb, index, and middle fingers; FOUR holds up four fingers with the thumb tucked; FIVE spreads all five fingers.
Why do numbers 6-9 face the palm outward in ASL?
ASL flips the palm outward for 6 through 9 to keep them visually distinct from 1 through 5, which face inward. Each of 6-9 is made by touching the thumb to a different finger, and the outward palm makes those touching shapes clear to the viewer.
How do you sign the number 10 in ASL?
Make a fist with your thumb sticking up, then shake or twist your hand slightly at the wrist. The upright shaking thumb is the sign for TEN, distinguishing it from a static thumbs-up gesture.
How are numbers 6, 7, 8, and 9 formed in sign language?
Each touches the thumb to a fingertip with the palm facing out. SIX touches the thumb to the pinky, SEVEN to the ring finger, EIGHT to the middle finger, and NINE to the index finger, while the remaining fingers stay extended.
Is signing numbers the same as fingerspelling letters?
No. Numbers and letters use separate handshape sets, though a few look similar. For example, the number TWO and the letter V both raise two fingers, but TWO faces the palm inward while V faces it outward. Context and palm orientation keep them distinct.