How to Sign “Yellow” in ASL: Baby Sign Language Guide

“Yellow” is the letter Y doing a little shimmy. Thumb and pinky out, twist twist — one of the easiest color signs for toddler hands.

How to Sign “Yellow” in ASL

ASL sign for yellow, step 1: Y-shaped hand held up at the side
ASL sign for yellow, step 2: Y hand twisted at the wrist

Photos: Rodasmith via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

  1. Make the Y: Stick out your thumb and pinky, fold the middle three fingers down.
  2. Hold it up: Raise the hand to shoulder height, out to the side.
  3. Twist: Rotate the wrist back and forth a few times.

Many ASL colors are their first letter plus a shake — yellow, green, blue, and purple all follow this pattern with different letters.

Step-by-Step Photos

ASL sign for yellow, step 1: Y-shaped hand held up at the side
Step 1: Make a Y: thumb and pinky out, other fingers folded.
ASL sign for yellow, step 2: Y hand twisted at the wrist
Step 2: Twist the Y at the wrist a few times.

Photos: Rodasmith via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

When to Use It With Your Child

  • At yellow things: Bananas, the sun, rubber ducks — the toddler world is full of yellow.
  • At snack time: Sign it before handing over the banana.
  • With crayons: Sign each color as it comes out of the box.

Tips for Success

  • The “hang loose” handshape is genuinely fun — toddlers enjoy this one.
  • Any wiggled hand near the shoulder counts early; the Y refines with time.
  • Teach it after “red” sticks — one color at a time wins.

Signs Related to “Yellow”

“Green” and “blue” use the same twist with G and B handshapes, so yellow unlocks a whole pattern. “Red” (finger brushing the lips) is the other style of color sign.

Yellow is among the first colors infants can perceive distinctly — well before age one — even though naming it comes much later.