International Sign converter
Convert English text or speech into the one-handed alphabet commonly used in International Sign.
International Sign is a contact pidgin rather than a full language; at international events the one-handed alphabet (shared with ASL) is commonly used.
Up to 300 characters. Letters are spelled one by one; numbers and spaces are shown, other symbols are skipped. Typed text stays on this page. Optional speech input may be processed by your browser’s speech service.
Fingerspelling shows individual letters, not signed words or sentence translation.
No International Sign handshape image available for H.
H. Index and middle fingers point sideways together, other fingers closed.
Letter playback only — handshape images for this letter are unavailable. This is not a signing animation.
Written description awaiting Deaf-led review.
All letter references (5)
International Sign fingerspelling (one-handed)
- Letter H: Index and middle fingers point sideways together, other fingers closed.
No International Sign handshape image available for H.
- Letter E: Fingertips curl down to rest on the thumb, which is tucked across the palm.
No International Sign handshape image available for E.
- Letter L: Index finger up and thumb out, forming an L.
No International Sign handshape image available for L.
- Letter L: Index finger up and thumb out, forming an L.
No International Sign handshape image available for L.
- Letter O: All fingertips meet the thumb to form an O.
No International Sign handshape image available for O.
Letter images for this language are not yet available from a verified reusable source. Images from a different sign language are not substituted.
Word and sentence video references
Use the International Sign resources below to look up word demonstrations and sentence lessons. Videos open on the source’s website. Your text is not sent to these sites automatically.
Words to look up: Hello
World Federation of the Deaf
International Sign communications; not a universal word-for-word dictionary.
Open video resource
No reference clips have been licensed for playback here. A video for every entered word or sentence is not available. Signed sentences have their own grammar and cannot be made by joining English word clips. For a sentence not covered by a lesson, ask a qualified International Sign teacher or interpreter.
Explore the International Sign alphabet
No International Sign handshape image available for A.
A
Closed fist with the thumb resting against the side of the index finger.
Reference image unavailable; no other language’s image is substituted.
Keep learning
Learning aid only. Handshape descriptions are written summaries for a right-handed signer and are awaiting Deaf-led review; they are not approved references. For safeguarding, medical or legal conversations, book a qualified interpreter.