What Does ASL Mean in Texting? Everything You Need to Know

If you’ve ever seen someone text “ASL?” or mention “ASL” in a conversation, you might be wondering what it actually means. The truth is—ASL can have more than one meaning, depending on the context.
Let’s take a closer look and help you understand the difference.
📌 1. ASL = Age, Sex, Location (Internet Slang)
In chat rooms, texting, or early online conversations, “ASL” often stands for:
Age
Sex
Location
It’s a way for someone to quickly ask:
“How old are you? What’s your gender? Where are you from?”
Example in chat:
User 1: “Hi there!”
User 2: “Hey! asl?”
User 1: “25, F, NY”
While this meaning was popular in the early 2000s, it’s now considered outdated and even invasive in some contexts.
🤟 2. ASL = American Sign Language
In more current and educational conversations, ASL almost always means American Sign Language, a complete and natural visual language used by the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
If you’re reading an article, watching a video, or visiting websites like signingnaturaly.com or aslforme.com, then ASL clearly refers to sign language.
💡 Which ASL Are They Talking About?
Here’s how to tell:
Context | Meaning of ASL |
Text from a stranger | Age, Sex, Location (slang) |
Educational or ASL site | American Sign Language |
ASL learning group | American Sign Language |
Old forums/chatrooms | Age, Sex, Location |
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🏁 Final Thought
So, the next time you see “ASL” in texting, think about the context. Is it a casual chat? Probably “age, sex, location.” Is it an educational setting? Then it likely means American Sign Language.
Either way, now you know—and if you want to dive deeper into real ASL, start with trusted tools like signingnaturaly.com and aslforme.com.