Translate Text into ASL & BSL
Type any sentence and step through it sign by sign — in American Sign Language or British Sign Language. Words covered by our dictionaries show full signs; everything else is fingerspelled letter by letter. Free, private, and runs entirely in your browser.
ASL / BSL Translator
Pick a language above the translator, then enter English text. The translator matches whole words and phrases against that language's dictionary first, then fingerspells anything not yet covered.
One-handed alphabet · US & parts of Canada
A learning aid — please read
American Sign Language has its own grammar — word order differs from English. This is a learning aid, not a substitute for a qualified interpreter.
Voice input is not supported in this browser.
Your signs will appear here
Type some text above and press Translate to step through it sign by sign.
How our sign descriptions are written
Our dictionary entries are text-based, step-by-step guides researched from established references and rewritten in original words — ASL entries from Lifeprint, university and public-health materials; BSL entries from BSL SignBank, BDA-adjacent teaching materials and BSL dictionaries. Signer-created photos and videos are a planned future upgrade — no AI-generated hand images are used anywhere on this site.
How it works
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Type or speak
Enter any English text, or use voice input in supported browsers. Nothing you type ever leaves your device.
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Step through the signs
Review each word's sign with previous/next controls, autoplay, and an adjustable playback speed. Listen to the text aloud while you practice.
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Practice and learn
Replay signs in the mirror, explore the dictionary for common words, and learn the alphabet reference for fingerspelling.
ASL & BSL signs dictionaries
Real word-level signs with step-by-step instructions — the way each language is actually signed, not letter by letter.
Greetings & Politeness
First signs to learn: saying hello, saying thanks, and minding your manners.
Everyday Basics
Core verbs and responses you will use in almost every conversation.
Family & People
Signs for the people in your life.
Food & Drink
Mealtimes, hunger, and thirst.
Feelings & Health
Emotions and how your body feels.
Time
Morning, night, now — talking about when.
Master the ASL & BSL alphabets
The one-handed ASL A–Z and 0–9 reference plus the two-handed BSL A–Z — the foundations every learner starts with, including which letters use motion.
View alphabet & numbersHonest answers about learning ASL
Is fingerspelling enough to communicate in ASL?
No. Fingerspelling is mainly used for proper names and technical terms that have no established sign. Everyday ASL uses distinct signs for words, plus facial expressions and body language that carry grammatical meaning. This site shows word-level signs wherever our dictionary covers them and fingerspells the rest — a bridge toward learning, not fluency itself.
Does ASL use the same word order as English?
No. ASL is a complete, independent language with its own grammar. For example, it often uses a topic–comment structure rather than English subject–verb–object order. Our translator shows vocabulary sign by sign; it does not rearrange your sentence into ASL grammar, so treat the output as a vocabulary aid.
Is sign language the same in every country?
No. American Sign Language is used in the United States and parts of Canada, but Britain uses British Sign Language (BSL), India uses Indian Sign Language (ISL), and so on. These are distinct languages, not dialects of one another. This site covers both ASL and BSL — switch between them in the translator.
What is the difference between ASL and BSL?
They are completely separate languages. BSL uses a two-handed fingerspelling alphabet while ASL uses a one-handed one, and their word-level signs, grammar, and facial expressions differ too — knowing one does not mean knowing the other. On this site each language has its own independently researched dictionary, and the translator never substitutes an ASL sign where a BSL one belongs.
Can this website replace a qualified ASL interpreter or teacher?
No. It is a learning aid. Certified interpreters train for years, and things like facial grammar, regional variation, and Deaf culture cannot be learned from text descriptions alone. For anything important — medical, legal, or emergency situations — always use a qualified interpreter.
What is the best way to practice what I learn here?
Practice in a mirror, replay signs slowly, and — most importantly — learn from Deaf creators and qualified teachers. Watching fluent signers (receptive practice) matters as much as producing signs yourself, and joining local Deaf community events will teach you what no website can.
Start learning sign language today
Free forever. No account, no tracking — just type and start signing.
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