Spell a word · 4 letters

How to spell ALEX in sign language

Alex fingerspelled in ASL is 4 handshapes, signed one after another with the palm facing out. Hold each for a beat and keep the hand in one place; the letters carry the word, not the movement.

ASL handshape for the letter AA
ASL handshape for the letter LL
ASL handshape for the letter EE
ASL handshape for the letter XX

Letter by letter

  1. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.
  2. L Index finger pointing straight up and thumb extended outward to form an L; other three fingers curled into the palm.
  3. E All four fingers curled tightly down into the palm with the thumb tucked horizontally underneath the fingertips.
  4. X Index finger extended and bent into a hook at the knuckle; other fingers curled into a fist with the thumb alongside.

Fingerspelling is how ASL handles names, places, brands and words without a sign of their own. Many everyday words do have a sign, so if you are learning ASL as a language, learn that sign too; this page shows how the word is spelled with the manual alphabet.