What Is The ASL Sign For 23?

ASL uses the letter W for the first digit and the letter C for the second digit to sign 23.

To form the number 23 in American Sign Language, start with your dominant hand making the letter W—think of those three middle fingers sticking straight up like a peace sign, thumb tucked in. Immediately after, shift into the letter C without any pause. That quick, smooth transition from W to C spells out 23 in ASL.

This two-part approach isn’t just for 23—it’s how ASL handles most numbers under 100. The sign for 2 uses a flat hand with just the index and middle fingers up, while 3 adds the ring finger. Putting them together this way keeps things clear and avoids mixing up numbers like 22 (W-W) or 24 (W-F). Honestly, this method makes perfect sense once you see it in action.

The ASL sign for 23 is a two-part sequence, not a single unique handshape.

You won’t find a special symbol for 23 in ASL. Instead, it’s spelled out digit by digit, just like fingerspelling “twenty-three.” That means 23 is simply W followed by C. Think of it like writing the number out in letters—there’s no shortcut, and that’s a good thing for clarity.

Compare this to numbers like 3 or 4, which have their own single-handshapes. For two-digit numbers, ASL leans on this sequence method to keep everything consistent. So 21 becomes L-1, 22 is a double 2, and 25 uses that fluttering middle finger trick. It’s all about keeping the meaning crystal clear, no matter what number you’re signing.

Practice the ASL sign for 23 by focusing on that smooth transition from W to C.

Start with your dominant hand in the W shape—index, middle, and ring fingers straight up, thumb and pinky tucked in. Keep your palm facing outward the whole time. Then, without stopping, curl those three fingers into a gentle C shape, like you’re scooping up a tiny ball. The key? No pauses. The faster you can move between these two shapes, the more natural your signing will look.

If you’re just starting out, slow it down and exaggerate the movement. Try signing 23 in front of a mirror to check your handshape and palm orientation. Once you’ve got the hang of it, speed it up until it feels fluid. And if you need a reference, check out trusted sources like Lifeprint ASL University or ASL Connect at the University of Utah—they’ve got great video examples to compare against.

Watch out for common mistakes like pausing between W and C or messing up the handshapes.

One big pitfall? Pausing between the W and C. That turns your single sign into two separate gestures, which can confuse the person you’re talking to. Another issue is using the wrong handshape—maybe your W looks more like a flat hand, or your C is too loose. Those little mistakes matter because they can change the meaning entirely.

Palm orientation trips people up too. Keep your palm facing outward for both the W and C. If it’s turned inward or sideways, your sign might get misread. And resist the urge to add extra movements like shaking your hand or changing direction mid-sign. The smoother and more linear your motion, the better.

To fix these problems, slow down and drill the transition. Ask a fluent signer for feedback or use tools like Signing Savvy to compare your signing with the correct form. It’s all about precision—your signs will improve faster than you think.

Reliable ASL resources can help you master the sign for 23 and beyond.

If you’re serious about learning ASL, don’t just rely on random YouTube videos. Start with trusted ASL dictionaries like Lifeprint ASL University, which breaks down signs with clear explanations and video examples. Another solid option is ASL Connect at the University of Utah—they offer free courses and a searchable sign database that’s super handy.

For video-based learning, sites like Signing Savvy and Handspeak have high-quality clips of ASL signs, including 23. YouTube can work too, but stick to channels run by Deaf instructors or ASL professionals. Random uploads might show incorrect versions, so vet your sources carefully.

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), part of the NIH, also links to reputable organizations and educational materials. Prefer in-person learning? Check out local ASL classes or Deaf community events. Many community colleges and universities offer courses, and groups like the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) can point you to resources and events near you.

For 21, use an L-1 handshape in ASL.

To sign 21, form an L shape with your dominant hand—thumb and index finger extended, the rest tucked in. Start at your forehead, like you’re tipping an invisible hat, then bring your hand down to meet your non-dominant hand, which stays in the same L shape. It’s a clean, straightforward motion that clearly represents the number.

In ASL, you form the sign for “number” by pinching your fingers together on each hand to create a bent ‘O’, then touching them together while twisting.

Here’s how to sign “number” in ASL: Start by making a bent ‘O’ shape with both hands—thumb and fingers pressed together but not clenched. Then bring your hands together, touching the fingertips of each hand. As you touch them, twist your hands slightly, like you’re turning a doorknob. Repeat this motion a couple of times to emphasize the concept of a number.

The ASL sign for 22 looks like a ‘2’ finger bouncing forward twice.

To sign 22, start with your dominant hand in the ASL letter ‘V’ shape—palm facing outward, index and middle fingers extended like a peace sign. Then, bow or bounce your hand forward twice in a short, quick motion. Move your hand slightly from left to right between each bounce to keep the rhythm smooth and clear.

In ASL, you sign “age” by taking your dominant hand to your chin in a modified ‘O’ shape, then pulling it down to your chest.

To sign “age,” start with your dominant hand near your chin, fingers together in a modified ‘O’ shape (thumb and fingertips touching lightly). Then pull your hand straight down to your lower chest or stomach in one smooth motion. This sign looks a lot like the sign for “old,” so context helps tell them apart.

The ASL sign for 100 uses a ‘C’ handshape, inspired by the Roman numeral for 100.

For the sign “100,” form a ‘C’ with your dominant hand—thumb and fingers curved into a rounded shape. Hold it in front of you, palm facing outward. This ‘C’ method works for all the hundreds signs from 100 to 900, making it a handy trick to remember.

The ASL sign for 25 starts with the ‘5’ handshape facing outward, then bends the middle finger forward twice.

To sign 25, begin with your dominant hand in the ASL ‘5’ shape—all fingers spread wide, palm facing outward. Then, bend your middle finger forward twice in quick succession. Think of it as breaking down the number into its parts: the ‘L’ for the 2 in 20, followed by the 5 facing outward.

In ASL, you sign “eleven” by repeatedly flicking the index finger off the thumb.

For the number eleven, form a loose ‘O’ shape with your dominant hand—thumb and index finger touching lightly. Then, flick your index finger upward off your thumb in quick, repeated motions. It’s a simple gesture, but it clearly conveys the idea of “eleven” in ASL.

ASL doesn’t have a separate sign for “is”—the meaning is built into the context of the sentence.

You won’t find a dedicated sign for “is” in ASL. Instead, the verb “to be” is implied by the structure of the sentence itself. For example, instead of signing “She is happy,” you’d just sign “She happy.” Context does all the work here, which keeps ASL concise and fluid.

To sign “brother” in ASL, form an ‘L’ shape with both hands and bring your dominant hand from your forehead to your non-dominant hand.

Start by making an ‘L’ shape with both hands—thumb and index finger extended, the rest tucked in. Place your dominant hand at your forehead, like you’re touching the brim of a baseball cap. Then bring your hand down to rest on your non-dominant hand, which stays in the same ‘L’ shape. It’s a visual way to represent a brother, almost like miming a little hat tip.

The ASL sign for “grade” can be done by bouncing a ‘G’ hand up and down on your palm.

There are a couple of ways to sign “grade” in ASL. One common method is to bounce a ‘G’ handshape—thumb and index finger forming a ‘G’—up and down on the palm of your non-dominant hand. Think of it like a little hopping motion. Some people prefer to fingerspell it instead, depending on the context.

To sign “color” in ASL, hold your hand near your neck and chin, then flutter your fingertips.

For the sign “color,” bring your dominant hand up to your neck and chin area. Keep your fingers together and gently flutter them, like you’re shaking out a tiny bit of confetti. This motion mimics the way colors can vary or mix, making it a visual and intuitive sign.