Spell a word · 5 letters

How to spell EIGHT in sign language

Eight fingerspelled in ASL is 5 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 EE
ASL handshape for the letter II
ASL handshape for the letter GG
ASL handshape for the letter HH
ASL handshape for the letter TT

Letter by letter

  1. E All four fingers curled tightly down into the palm with the thumb tucked horizontally underneath the fingertips.
  2. I Pinky extended upward; index, middle, and ring fingers curled into a fist with the thumb resting across them.
  3. G Index finger pointing sideways with the thumb extended parallel to it; other fingers curled into the palm.
  4. H Index and middle fingers extended together, pointing sideways; thumb holds the ring and pinky down.
  5. T A fist with the thumb tucked under the index finger, peeking out between the index and middle fingers.

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.