Spell a word · 3 letters

How to spell FAR in sign language

Far fingerspelled in ASL is 3 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 FF
ASL handshape for the letter AA
ASL handshape for the letter RR

Letter by letter

  1. F Thumb and index fingertip touch to form a circle; middle, ring, and pinky extended upward and slightly spread.
  2. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.
  3. R Index and middle fingers extended upward and crossed (middle finger over index); thumb holds the ring and pinky down.

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.