To sign 27 in American Sign Language, you combine two handshapes in sequence: first an “L” shape to represent the twenties, then a “7” handshape for the second digit. The whole sign takes about a second and uses one hand.
The Two-Part Handshape
Start by forming the letter “L” with your dominant hand. Extend your index finger straight up and your thumb straight out to the side, keeping your other three fingers curled in. Your palm should face outward, away from your body. This “L” shape tells your conversation partner you’re in the twenties range. Don’t think of it as literally spelling the letter L. It’s simply the handshape that Deaf signers use to indicate “twenty-something.”
Next, transition into the number 7. Open your hand and touch the tip of your thumb to your ring finger, leaving your index finger, middle finger, and pinky extended. That’s the complete sign: L, then 7.
How Numbers 20 Through 29 Work
The number 27 follows a pattern shared by most numbers in the twenties. For 24, 26, 27, 28, and 29, you start with that same “L” prefix and then form the second digit. So 24 looks like “L-4,” 28 looks like “L-8,” and so on. The only numbers in this range that break the pattern are 20 (a repeated pinching motion), 22 (which uses a palm-down orientation, like other double-digit twins such as 33 or 44), and 25 (which has its own form).
Understanding this system makes the twenties much easier to learn. Once you have the “L” prefix down, you only need to know the single-digit handshapes 1 through 9 to sign any number from 21 to 29.
Getting the 7 Handshape Right
The trickiest part for most learners is the 7 itself. Your thumb presses against the pad of your ring finger, not your middle finger (that would be 8) and not your pinky (that would be 6). A good way to practice: hold your hand open, then slowly bring your thumb to each finger one at a time. Pinky contact is 6, ring finger is 7, middle finger is 8, index finger is 9. Drilling this sequence helps your fingers find the right position without hesitation.
When transitioning from the “L” to the 7, keep the movement smooth. There’s no pause or bounce between the two parts. Your hand simply reshapes from one position to the next in a single fluid motion, staying in roughly the same spot in front of your chest or shoulder.
Tips for Left-Handed Signers
If you’re left-handed, sign 27 with your left hand. The handshapes are identical, just mirrored. Form the “L” with your left hand, then transition to the 7. Some resources suggest a slight movement to the left during the “L” portion, but many signers simply form both shapes in place without any lateral movement. Either approach is understood.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most frequent mix-up is hitting the wrong finger with your thumb during the second part of the sign. Because 6, 7, 8, and 9 all involve the thumb touching a different finger on the same hand, it’s easy to land on the middle finger (making it 28) or the pinky (making it 26) when you mean 27. Practice the single digits 6 through 9 until the ring-finger contact for 7 feels automatic.
Another common error is signing a “2” instead of an “L” for the first part. While some older descriptions say to start with a “2” (index and middle finger extended), the more widely used method in ASL classrooms and among Deaf signers is the “L” handshape for 21 and 23 through 29. Using the “L” prefix is clearer and reduces the chance of your sign being misread as a different number.