The American Sign Language alphabet is a necessary part of American Sign Language (ASL). The American Sign Language alphabet should not be confused with being the entirety of American Sign Language. In reality, the American Sign Language alphabet is not frequently used in conversation in ASL. Most commonly, signs for words are used. However, the American Sign Language alphabet is necessary for spelling unusual words, names, or words for which a recognizable sign is not known.

The right hand is the only hand used to sign the letters of the alphabet. Each letter has a corresponding sign. When preparing to sign a letter or group of letters to form a word, the signer should have their right hand in front of them at about shoulder height with the palm facing the viewer.

Here are the signs for each letter:

A- Closed fist with the thumb straight
B- All fingers are straight. Thumb is folded across palm.
C- Fingers and thumb are folded slightly. Hand is turned to the left to form a “C” shape.
D- Tip of thumb is touching tip of middle finger. Index finger is straight. Hand is turned slightly so viewer can see “D” shape.
E- Thumb is folded across in front of palm with fingers folded.
F- Tip of index finger is touching tip of thumb. Middle, ring and little fingers are straight and slightly spread.
G- Middle, ring and little fingers are down across palm. Thumb and index finger are straight. The hand is turned left and tilted slightly so the thumb and index finger are towards the viewer and pointing up at about 45 degrees.
H- Ring and little finger are down. Thumb is folded over ring and little finger. Index finger and middle finger are straight. The fingers are pointing to the left.
I- Index, middle, and ring fingers are down. Thumb held across index middle and ring fingers. Little finger is straight.
J- Index, middle, and ring fingers are down. Thumb is folded across index middle and ring fingers. Little finger is straight. The hand is moved so that little finger draws a “J.”
K- Ring and little fingers are down. Index and middle finger are straight and slightly spread. Thumb is straight and pointing up to the middle finger.
L- Middle, ring, and little finger are down. Index finger and thumb form “L” shape.
M- Thumb is folded across to touch little finger on the palm. Index, middle, and ring fingers are over thumb.
N- Thumb is folded across ring and little finger. Index finger and middle finger are folded over thumb.
O- All fingers and thumb are partially folded. Tip of thumb is touching tip of index finger. Hand is turned slightly so viewer can see “O” shape.
P- Ring and little finger are down. Index finger is straight. Middle finger is straight but pointing forward. Tip of thumb is touching middle of middle finger. Hand held so that index finger is horizontal and middle finger is pointing down.
Q- Ring and little fingers are down. Thumb is straight in front of the index finger. The index finger is straight and pointing forwards slightly so that it is parallel to the thumb. The index finger and thumb are not touching. Middle finger is down across the right of the thumb. Hand is turned towards the left and held so the thumb and index finger are pointing downwards.
R- Ring and little finger are held down by thumb. Index and middle finger are straight and crossed, index finger in front.
S- Clenched fist.
T- Middle, ring, and little fingers are down. Thumb is across middle finger. Index finger is over thumb.
U- Ring and little finger are held down by thumb. Index and middle fingers are straight.
V- Ring and little finger fold held down by thumb. Index and middle fingers form a “V” shape.
W- Tip of little finger is touching tip of thumb. Index, middle, and ring fingers form a “W” shape.
X- Middle, ring, and little fingers are down. Index finger is rounded. Thumb is pulled in. The hand is turned to the left.
Y- Index, middle, and ring ringers are down. Little finger and thumb are straight and spread apart.
Z- Middle, ring, and little fingers are held down by thumb. The hand is moved so that the tip of index finger draws “Z” shape.