How to sign “Calls” in ASL

Everyday Basics

BSL and ASL are different languages — this is the American sign. See the BSL sign for “Calls” instead

Step by step

  1. Make a Y with your dominant hand, extending your thumb and pinky while folding the middle fingers.
  2. Hold the Y beside your head, near your ear and mouth, like an old telephone receiver.
  3. Push the Y-hand outward away from your head by a few inches.
  4. Keep your palm facing inward toward your face during the short push.
  5. Keep your face neutral; the meaning is a general phone call, not a specific person.

Practice tip

“Calls” is signed with the base CALL sign.

Fingerspell “Calls”

Letter by letter — a handy backup if you forget the sign above. This is not the sign itself.

ASL handshape for letter CASL handshape for letter AASL handshape for letter LASL handshape for letter LASL handshape for letter S

See all ASL handshapes in the alphabet reference

Text-based guide researched from established ASL references (Lifeprint, university and public-health materials) and rewritten in original words. Signer-created photos and videos are a planned future upgrade.

Browse all 1121 signs in the dictionary