How to sign
Z in ASL
The letter Z draws a Z in the air with the index finger. One of only two moving letters.
- Single sign
- One hand
- Handshape: Index finger (1 hand)
- Shoulder height
- Alphabet
How to sign z
- 1
Point your index finger up.
- 2
Draw a Z: across, down diagonally, across.
- 3
For a double Z, some signers use a V handshape instead of tracing twice.
Common mistakes
- Drawing it mirrored. Draw it so the reader sees a Z, not an S.
Questions about “Z”
Yes. This clip shows the common ASL sign for z. Like spoken languages, ASL has regional variation, so you may see small differences from signer to signer.
Guide
ASL Alphabet
Learn all 26 letters of the American Sign Language alphabet with real video for every handshape, the letters beginners mix up, and how to fingerspell your name smoothly.
From the blog
ASL vs BSL: Why American and British Sign Language Are Different Languages
They share almost no signs, use different alphabets, and come from different histories. What that means if you are choosing which to learn.