How to Sign Fair

The short answer

In American Sign Language (ASL), the sign for "fair" depends on what you mean by it. English uses one word for several unrelated ideas, but ASL usually signs meanings, not English words. Pick the meaning first, then the sign.

For "fair" in the sense of equal or just, as in "that's fair" or "it's not fair," many signers use a sign built on the concept of equal. If you are unsure which sign fits, or you need "fair" in another sense, fingerspelling F-A-I-R is always understood by ASL users, even if it isn't the most natural choice.

This guide covers ASL, which is used in the United States. Sign languages are not universal. British Sign Language, Auslan and others have their own vocabulary, so the signs below may not carry over.

Which "fair" do you mean?

Before you sign, decide which of these meanings you want. Each one is a different idea in ASL.

• Equal or just: treating people evenly, following the rules ("Is that fair?").
• An event: a county fair, state fair, job fair or science fair.
• Light in color: fair skin or fair hair.
• Moderate or average: "a fair amount" or "the food was fair."
• Weather: fair skies, meaning clear and pleasant.

The sources for this article only support a description of the equal or just meaning and of fingerspelling. For the other meanings, this guide does not confirm a specific sign. Use fingerspelling or a descriptive phrase, and check with a fluent signer or a reputable ASL dictionary.

Signing "fair" as in equal or just

A widely used way to express this meaning draws on the ASL sign for equal. Follow these steps:

• Hold both hands in front of your chest, palms facing down.
• Bend each hand at the large knuckles so the fingers point toward each other, with the fingers held together.
• Bring the fingertips of both hands together so they meet, and tap them together a couple of times.
• Add a facial expression that matches your meaning. A neutral or affirming face means "that's fair." A frowning, head-shaking expression helps convey "not fair."

Facial expression is part of ASL grammar, not decoration. A shake of the head or a doubtful look changes what the sign means, just as tone of voice does in speech.

Signs vary by region, age group and community, and other signs for "fair" are in use. The description above has not been checked against a specific dictionary entry for this article. If accuracy matters, for a class, an interpreted event or a conversation with a Deaf colleague, confirm it with a fluent signer.

Fingerspelling F-A-I-R

Fingerspelling uses the ASL manual alphabet to spell a word letter by letter. It works for any meaning of "fair" and is a dependable fallback when you don't know the sign. Use your dominant hand, held near your shoulder with the palm facing outward unless noted otherwise.

Letter | Handshape

F | Touch the tip of your index finger to the tip of your thumb to form a circle. Extend the other three fingers upward and spread them slightly.

A | Make a fist with the thumb resting against the side of the index finger, not tucked under the fingers.

I | Make a fist and extend only the little finger straight up.

R | Extend the index and middle fingers and cross the middle finger over the index finger. Fold the other fingers down and hold them with the thumb.

Spell smoothly at a steady pace, keeping your hand in one place instead of bouncing it for each letter. Clear handshapes matter more than speed.

How to know you got it right

• Ask a fluent signer to watch you and tell you what they understood. If they read the meaning you intended, the sign worked.
• Compare your handshape, palm orientation, location and movement with a video from a reputable ASL dictionary or a Deaf-led teaching source. Those four parts, plus facial expression, are what make two signs the same or different.
• If a signer responds with a different sign for the same idea, that is often a regional variation, not a mistake. Take note of it and use the version your community uses.

Practicing alone can confirm that you remember the steps. It cannot confirm that a Deaf signer will read the sign naturally. Only feedback from a fluent user tests that.

What this guide doesn't cover

This article does not confirm specific ASL signs for a fair as an event, fair as a color, fair as in average, or fair weather. It also does not describe regional variants of the equal sign. For any of those, fingerspell the word or ask a fluent signer which sign people near you use.