How to Sign "Sit" in American Sign Language

The short answer

In American Sign Language (ASL), SIT is made with both hands in an H handshape, which means the index and middle fingers are extended and held together. Your non-dominant hand is the bench, held flat with palm down. The two fingers of your dominant hand are bent like a pair of legs, and they come down to rest on the bench with a single contact. The picture is someone sitting on a seat with their legs hanging over the edge.

"Sign language" covers many languages. This guide describes ASL, the sign language most widely used in the United States. Other sign languages, such as British Sign Language, have their own signs for sit, so check which language you need. Hand signals used in dog training are a separate system. They vary by trainer and are not ASL.

Step-by-step: signing SIT

• 1. Decide which hand is dominant. It is usually the hand you write with. The other hand stays mostly still.
• 2. Form the base. On your non-dominant hand, extend the index and middle fingers together and fold the other fingers and thumb in. Hold the hand in front of your chest with the palm facing down and the fingers pointing to the side.
• 3. Form the legs. Make the same two-finger shape on your dominant hand, then bend the two fingers at the knuckles so they curve downward, like legs bent at the knees. Keep the palm facing down.
• 4. Sit down. Bring the dominant hand down onto the back of the base fingers, with the bent fingers draped over them, and make contact once.
• 5. Hold briefly. Let the contact settle instead of bouncing off. One firm contact is what distinguishes SIT from related signs.

SIT versus CHAIR

SIT and CHAIR use the same handshapes in the same position. The difference is the movement. SIT has one contact. CHAIR repeats a short tapping contact, usually twice. This pattern, where a single movement gives the action and a repeated movement gives the related object, appears in other ASL sign pairs as well. If you tap twice when you mean "sit," a signer may read it as "chair."

Sign | Handshapes | Movement

SIT | Bent two-finger hand resting on a flat two-finger hand | One contact, held

CHAIR | Same as SIT | Short repeated taps, usually two

How to check that you did it right

• Base hand: palm down, two fingers together and extended, fingers pointing sideways rather than at the other person.
• Top hand: two fingers bent, not straight and not curled into a fist, draped over the base fingers.
• Contact: one clear touch for SIT. If you see a bounce or a second tap, you have signed CHAIR.
• Position: both hands in front of your chest, where the person watching can see them easily.
• Review: watch yourself in a mirror, or record a short clip and play it back, and compare against the points above.

Checking yourself confirms the handshape, placement and number of contacts. It does not confirm that your signing looks natural, and it cannot tell you about regional variants. For that, ask a Deaf signer or a qualified ASL instructor, or compare with a video from a reputable ASL dictionary.

Using SIT in context

The same sign covers "sit" and "sit down." Meaning in ASL also depends on facial expression and context. An invitation such as "please, have a seat" is usually signed with a relaxed, welcoming expression. A firm instruction is usually signed with a sharper movement and a more serious face. The handshapes do not change.

Limitations of this guide

This guide is a written description and has no images or video, and it was not checked against a specific dictionary entry or a Deaf reviewer. The basic form described here is widely taught, but signers vary in exactly how they make it, and some regions and communities use different forms. Before relying on the sign in an important conversation, confirm it with a fluent ASL user or a reputable visual ASL resource.