You can get surprisingly far in ASL without spending anything. The trick is knowing which free resources to use for what: a dictionary for looking things up, guides for the basics, and real people for practice.
Free resources on ziggyasl.com
- ASL dictionary: 700+ signs and phrases on real video, with notes on how each sign is made
- Beginner guides: the alphabet, numbers, greetings, phrases, colors, family, feelings, and more
- Sign your name: type any name and watch it fingerspelled, letter by letter
- Blog: plain-language answers to beginner questions, from grammar to Deaf etiquette
Every sign is filmed with a real signer, and our team includes certified ASL interpreters, who sign our videos and check our signs. No account, no sign-up.
Other free options
- SignSchool: free lessons, grammar notes, and a dictionary
- Lifeprint (ASL University): free ASL lessons organized like a college course
- Your public library or community center: some host free or low-cost ASL classes
- Deaf community events and ASL meetups: the best free practice there is; go as a respectful guest
A free 2-week plan
- Days 1–3: learn the alphabet and fingerspell your name
- Days 4–7: greetings and basic phrases
- Days 8–10: numbers and question words
- Days 11–14: pronouns and feelings; introduce yourself in sign every day
A good first phrase to practice: Hello, My Name Is, your name, Nice To Meet You.
When free stops being enough
Free resources are great for looking things up. What they usually don't give you is structure: a daily plan, review at the right moment, and a reason to come back tomorrow. That's what an app is for. Ziggy is a subscription with a free trial, so you can see if it fits before you pay. If you're comparing options, see the best apps to learn sign language.
For the full path from zero, read how to learn sign language.