In American Sign Language (ASL), you sign each day of the week with the handshape of its first letter, moving in a small circle with your palm facing out. Monday uses an M, Tuesday a T, Wednesday a W, Thursday an H, Friday an F, Saturday an S, and Sunday uses two open hands.
That's the whole system. Once you see the pattern, you only need to learn a handful of handshapes, and you can sign all seven days within ten minutes.
This guide shows each day one by one, explains the handshape, and gives you a way to remember it. At the end, you'll also learn the signs for "week" and "vacation," plus practice sentences you can use right away.
Days of the Week in ASL
Before going day by day in American Sign Language, keep these points in mind:
Use your dominant hand. Right-handed? Sign with your right. Left-handed? Use your left.
Palm faces away from you, toward the person you're talking to.
Make a small circle in front of your shoulder. The circle is short, controlled, and relaxed. It is not a big wave.
Keep your elbow bent and your arm relaxed at about chest to shoulder height.
Only the handshape changes. The movement stays the same for every day except Sunday.
Sunday in ASL
Sunday is the one day that breaks the pattern. You don't use a letter. Instead, hold up both hands open, palms facing forward, fingers spread, and move them in matching circles, as the arrows in the image show.
How to remember it: Think of two open hands raised in a calm, welcoming gesture, a day of rest and gathering.
Example: "I go to church on Sunday." / "Sunday is my day off."
Monday in ASL
Make the letter M: fold your thumb under your first three fingers so the fingers rest over it. Hold the hand up with the palm facing out, then draw a small circle in the air.
Common mistake: Making a plain fist instead of an M. A fist looks like the S handshape, which is Saturday.
Example: "Monday I have work." / "See you Monday."
Tuesday in ASL
Make the letter T: close your hand into a fist and tuck your thumb between your index and middle fingers. Palm out, then a small circle.
Tip: Monday (M) and Tuesday (T) look close. Check that your thumb is tucked between the fingers for Tuesday, rather than fully hidden under three fingers like in Monday.
Example: "My class is on Tuesday."
Wednesday in ASL
Make the letter W: raise your index, middle, and ring fingers, and hold your thumb and pinky together. Palm out, small circle.
How to remember it: W looks like three fingers up, and it's the only day that uses this three-finger shape.
Example: "Wednesday is mid-week." / "The meeting is Wednesday."
Thursday in ASL
Thursday uses the letter H: extend your index and middle fingers together, pointing sideways, with your thumb tucked in. Move the hand in a small circle.
Why H and not T? T is already taken by Tuesday. Thursday's second sound, "th," makes H the natural pick. Some signers use a "T then H" version, but the single H circle is the most common.
Example: "I'll call you Thursday."
Friday in ASL
Make the letter F: touch your thumb and index finger together to form a circle, and keep the other three fingers up and spread. Palm out, small circle.
Example: "Friday is payday." / "Are you free Friday?"
Saturday in ASL
Make the letter S: a closed fist with your thumb wrapped across the front of your fingers. Palm out, small circle.
Common mistake: Tucking the thumb inside the fist. For S, the thumb crosses over the front of the fingers.
Example: "We meet on Saturday." / "Saturday is family day."
How to Sign "Week" in ASL
Hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you, palm up. Place your dominant hand's index finger (a "1" handshape) against that palm and slide it across from the base toward the fingertips. The flat palm works like a calendar row, and the finger moves along the week.
Useful variations:
Next week: sign WEEK, moving the hand forward.
Last week: sign WEEK, moving the hand back over your shoulder.
Every week: repeat the sign.
How to Sign "Vacation" in ASL
For VACATION, place both open hands (spread fingers) on your upper chest, with your thumbs touching your chest, and tap twice. It suggests relaxed shoulders and an open, easygoing posture.
Note: The image shows the hands at chest level. Keep the movement small and relaxed, with a light tap on the chest.
Example: "Next week I have a vacation."
Practice Sentences
Sign these using the days you just learned (ASL often puts the time first):
Friday, you free? (Are you free on Friday?)
Next week vacation, I go. (I'm going on vacation next week.)
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, I work.
Saturday, Sunday, I rest.
Placing the day first is natural in ASL: you set the time, then say what happens.
Mistakes Beginners Make
Mixing up Monday and Saturday. Both are closed hands. Monday is an M (thumb under fingers); Saturday is an S (thumb across the front).
Making huge circles. Keep the circle small.
Moving the arm instead of the wrist. The motion comes mostly from a relaxed wrist.
Facing the palm toward yourself. The palm faces the person you're talking to.
Forgetting your face. Relaxed facial expressions and eye contact are part of ASL.
Easy Ways to Memorize the Days
Learn by handshape group. Start with M, T, W, then H, F, S.
Practice in order, then out of order. Sign Monday to Sunday, then have a friend call days randomly.
Use your real week. Sign the day each morning when you check your calendar.
Record yourself. Compare your handshapes with the images.
Practice with a partner. Sign a day and have them guess it.
FAQs
How do you sign days of the week in ASL?
Use the first letter's handshape of each day, palm facing out, with a small circle. Sunday uses two open hands.
Is there a different sign for each day?
Yes. Each day has its own handshape, and the movement is almost the same, which is why they're easy to learn together.
Do you fingerspell the days?
Usually not. Each day has its own sign, but you can fingerspell if you don't know it.
Which hand should I use?
Your dominant hand.
What is the difference between Monday and Saturday in ASL?
Monday uses the M handshape; Saturday uses the S fist. The circle is the same, so check your thumb.
How do you sign "week" in ASL?
Slide your index finger across your flat palm.
How long does it take to learn all seven days?
Most people learn them in one sitting and remember them after a few days of practice.
Final Thoughts
Learning the days of the week in sign language words is one of the fastest wins for a beginner. There are only six handshapes to learn, plus Sunday's two open hands. Add "week" and "vacation," and you can already talk about plans and schedules.
Practice a few minutes a day, check yourself against the images above, and sign your calendar each morning.