Sign for 10 in ASL
Quick answer: The sign for 10 in ASL uses the number 10 handshape. It is commonly used for counting, age, money, time, dates, scores, and quantities.
How to Sign 10 in ASL
To sign 10, make a fist with your dominant hand and extend your thumb upward. Then give the thumb a small side-to-side shake. Keep the movement controlled and easy to read.
This number sign is used in many everyday contexts, including counting, age, time, money, math, dates, scores, and classroom activities.
| Dominant Handshape | 10-hand: fist with thumb extended upward |
|---|---|
| Non-Dominant Handshape | Not used |
| Location | Neutral signing space in front of the body |
| Palm Orientation | Usually inward or slightly angled; keep the thumb clearly visible |
| Movement | Small side-to-side thumb or wrist shake |
| Non-Manual Markers | Neutral expression; raised eyebrows may be used in questions |
When to Use This Sign
Use 10 when counting, giving quantities, talking about age, telling time, discussing money, sharing scores, or using numbers in math and classroom contexts.
- counting to ten
- age
- time and schedules
- money amounts
- scores, ratings, and quantities
Ten is one of the key number signs because it helps learners move from single digits into larger numbers.
Common Mistakes
- Making the thumb shake too large
- Moving the whole arm instead of keeping the movement small
- Holding the thumb too loosely so the number looks unclear
- Confusing the number 10 with a casual thumbs-up gesture
- Signing too quickly before the handshape is clear
Example Sentences
ASL gloss: BOOK I HAVE TEN
English: I have ten books.
ASL gloss: TEN PEOPLE ARRIVE
English: Ten people arrived.
ASL gloss: MY CHILD AGE TEN
English: My child is ten years old.
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