60 Hand Gestures You Should Be Using And Their Meaning

Discover 60 powerful hand gestures backed by science. Learn their meanings, when to use them, and how they can make you more persuasive.

• Gestures drive popularity: Science of People analyzed TED Talks and found the most viral speakers used an average of 465 hand gestures—nearly double the 272 gestures used by the least popular presenters.
• Cognitive load reduction: Research from the University of Chicago shows that gesturing while speaking frees up brainpower. People who use their hands perform significantly better on memory tasks than those who keep their hands still.
• Palms build trust: Studies show that speakers using open-palm gestures receive an 84% positive testimonial rate. In contrast, finger-pointing is perceived as aggressive and rude, resulting in only a 28% positive response from audiences.
• Enhanced message value: Hand gestures contribute significant additional information beyond words alone, increasing the overall value of a spoken message by roughly 60%. They signal to the brain's auditory system to prepare for language processing.
• Intelligence and development: Infants who use more hand gestures at 18 months demonstrate greater language abilities later in life. Furthermore, adults with higher fluid intelligence tend to produce significantly more representational gestures when explaining complex ideas.

Do you know how to speak with your hands? Research by Holler and Beattie found that gestures contribute significant additional information beyond words alone, increasing the overall value of a spoken message by roughly 60%1. The best, most charismatic speakers and influencers know how to use hand gestures to make their message stick.

Leaders use specific hand gesture patterns.

Science of People analyzed thousands of hours of TED Talks and found one striking pattern: The most viral TED Talkers spoke with their words AND their hands.

Specifically, we analyzed the top and bottom TED Talks of all time, ranked according to their view count.

Watch our video below to learn the powerful hand gestures you should be using:

What Are Hand Gestures?

Hand gestures are deliberate or spontaneous movements of the hands and fingers used to communicate meaning, emphasize speech, or express emotions. Also known as manual gesticulations or simply gestures, they are a core component of nonverbal communication and body language. Research suggests that a significant portion of interpersonal communication is conveyed nonverbally, and hand gestures are one of the most powerful channels available.

Not sure what to do with your hands? You are not alone! Sometimes it can be awkward to talk with your hands in a natural way. The goal here is to teach you purposeful hand gestures you can use naturally.

The least popular TED Talkers used an average of 272 hand gestures during the 18-minute talk.

The most popular TED Talkers used an average of 465 hand gestures—that’s almost double!

The TED research brought up tons of questions:

• Why are hand gestures so important?
• What are the most popular hand gestures?
• How can everyone use their hand gestures to go viral?

We broke down all of the most popular TED Talks and major speeches from the last five decades and synthesized them into the top 20 hand gestures you can use. But first, some background + a fun video.

Science Facts About Hand Gestures

You’re born to speak with your hands. Researchers have found that infants who use more hand gestures at 18 months old have greater language abilities later on. Hand gestures speak to great intelligence.

The most popular TED Talkers used an average of 465 hand gestures—almost double the least popular speakers.

Hand gestures make people listen to you. Spencer Kelly, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Colgate University, found that gestures have a unique, privileged status in the brain’s language system2. When the brain sees a gesture, the auditory system automatically gears up to process the sounds of language. Kelly said, “Gestures are not merely add-ons to language—they may actually be a fundamental part of it.”

We can’t help it. Hand gestures come naturally to us. Kelly’s research even found that blind people use hand gestures when speaking with other blind people—suggesting gesturing is hard-wired, not learned by watching others.

Gesturing helps you access memories. Susan Goldin-Meadow at the University of Chicago discovered that gesturing actually frees up brainpower3. When people were allowed to gesture while explaining a problem, they performed significantly better on a secondary memory task compared to those who kept their hands still. Using hand gestures while you speak not only helps others remember what you say, it also helps you speak more quickly and effectively.

Nonverbal explanations help you understand more. One study4 found that forcing children to gesture while they explained how to solve math problems actually helped them learn new problem-solving strategies.

A 2025 study published in the Journal of Marketing Research analyzed over 2,000 TED Talks using AI and ran experiments with 1,600 participants5. Speakers who used illustrator gestures—gestures that visually depict content—were rated as significantly more clear, competent, and persuasive. Random movements or fidgeting had no positive effect and could even be distracting.

How to Speak With Your Hands

Before we get into the top hand gestures you can use, let’s talk about using your hands appropriately:

Use your hand gestures responsibly. Safe gesturing only please!

Stay in the box. Think outside the box, but gesture within it. Appropriate hand-speaking space is from the top of your chest to the bottom of your waist. If you go outside this box, it’s seen as distracting and out of control.

There is a spectrum. Hand gestures are great up to a certain point. I call this the Jazz Hands Spectrum:

Make your gestures purposeful. Just like you bullet point a pitch or presentation, do the same with gestures. The best TED Talkers used their hands purposefully to explain important points. Use the list below to guide you.

Know what you want to say. If you have a big speech coming up, prepare your words; otherwise, your gestures can try to overcompensate. According to Elena Nicoladis, a researcher who studies hand gestures, people who have more complex thoughts to express are more likely to speak with their hands—the physical act of gesturing helps the brain find and retrieve words6.

The smoother, the better. Fluid hand gestures look natural and confident. Jerky and robotic prepared moves are distracting. Imagine moving your hands through water—this keeps movements deliberate and smooth. Practice speaking with your hands until it feels natural.

Film yourself. Film yourself chatting with someone on the phone. You might be surprised what kinds of gestures you use—and how many you use—during the conversation. Then, film your speeches and elevator pitch. Have a friend give you feedback on your gestures.

Be careful cross-culturally. Not all hand gestures are created equal! Here is a fun video on the meaning of hand gestures around the world:

20 Hand Gestures You Should Be Using and Their Meaning

After observing some of the best speakers and speeches in the world, we have collected our favorites for you to try. We put together some clips of the most popular ones. Remember, think about your verbal content, and match your hand gestures to what you are saying:

#1 Listing

The easiest and most basic hand gesture is numerical. ANYTIME you say a number, do the corresponding gesture—this makes your number easier to remember for the listener, adds movement and warmth to your body language, and serves as a nonverbal anchor in the conversation.

#2 A Tiny Bit

Anytime you want to emphasize a small point, like something that they shouldn’t take too seriously or a small addition, show it! This is a favorite itty-bitty hand gesture.

#3 Listen Here

This is a very strong gesture, so use it with caution. It is a “bottom line” hand gesture or “listen here” movement. The sound and motion draws attention and lets people know: “What I am about to say is important!”

#4 Clenched Hand

Anytime you have a solid fist, shaking it at someone or punching it in the air, you are showing intensity. Use it alongside a VERY important point. Be careful when using this gesture with an irritated voice because it can come off as anger!

#5 Everything

Want to make a big, grand gesture? Then the “everything” gesture is your go-to. It is as if you are sweeping across all of the ideas to be inclusive.

Alternate: This can also be used to say you are wiping the slate clean or pushing something out of the way.

#6 Small, Medium, Large

This is a really easy one and can be used to literally show someone what level something is. You can use this to indicate how big or small something is or where someone stands. For example, you can use the high version along with “It’s a pretty big deal” or the low version with “He’s low on the priority list.”

Alternate: You can also use this as you talk about different stages, as an alternative to listing. For example, you could say, “We start with your vision,” (low level) “then move on to your structure,” (medium level) and (most important level) “we end on your finished product.”

#7 Let Me Tell You

Pointing should be used with caution. We don’t like to be pointed at because it can be seen as accusatory or invasive. However, you can point to get someone’s attention or to literally make a point. For example, this gesture goes along well with:

• “You know, I just remembered something important.”
• “This one’s important.”
• “Let me tell you something.”

#8 Just a Part

This gesture can be used to demonstrate a very specific part of an idea. When you are talking about an aspect of something, this gesture can indicate that it is separate.

Alternate: You can also use this gesture while turning your hand to indicate a change in perspective, along with “It really changed my mind from ___ to ___.”

#9 The Grand Gesture

When you have both of your hands apart and palms facing toward the audience, it is a very powerful pose. Use it when making a grand gesture.

How to Use it:

Here are a few ways to implement these gestures:

First, try out 1 or 2 at a time. Too many at once is overwhelming. Second, use them on the phone first—where no one can see you—so you can practice and try without being worried about how you look.

#10 Growth

Whenever you move your hand or gesture upward, you indicate some kind of growth or increase. This can be used to indicate the expected growth, excitement, or direction where something is headed.

How to Use it: If you are an entrepreneur, you have to constantly show skyrocketing growth to investors. Often, this comes in the shape of a hockey stick chart—the one with a huge curve as time goes on. You can do this with your hands while you are speaking in a way to show (not tell) growth!

#11 You

Any time you gesture into someone else’s space or personal area, you tie them to your words. Use the open hand or palm, instead of pointing, to be more formal. Pointing is very aggressive. You can do the “you” gesture to make someone feel included or to highlight that something you are talking about applies to the person you are speaking with. It’s a great attention grabber if someone’s mind is wandering.

Special Note: Be sure to do this purposefully. Subconscious gesturing toward someone can be incredibly offensive if the context doesn’t match—always be aware of where your hands are pointing.

#12 Me

Anytime we bring our hands in toward our heart or chest, we usually want to indicate ourselves. Sneaky speaking coaches sometimes tell candidates to point toward themselves when talking about anything positive… Use it carefully!

#13 This and That

Whenever you want to separate two different ideas or things, you can use your hands to symbolically represent them. For example, you might say “we are totally different from them,” using your left hand when you say “we” and your right hand when you say “them.” This is a great way to put distance between two things.

Advanced: If you want to try something really advanced, you can use your hands to represent two different ideas. For example, if you were talking about two competing proposals, you could use and raise your left hand when talking about one set of ideas and elevate and emphasize with your right hand when talking about the other. This is both captivating and easier for the audience to follow.

#14 Come Together

When you bring both of your hands together, it is a gesture of combining and is a great way to symbolically show two forces coming together as one. You can even mesh or fold your hands together to show complete togetherness.

#15 I’m Ready

This is a typical gesture used when speaking and shows you’re ready to go! You can use it to capture the audience’s attention. This is a great gesture to use to capture silence right before you hook people into a great story.

#16 It’s Just So

You can use your palms vertically with a rigid slicing motion to demonstrate the need for precise measurement or to separate two things.

Alternate: This can also be used to demonstrate a tough stance on a point.

#17 I’m Not Hiding Anything

When your hands are at a 45-degree angle with the palms facing up, you are showing openness and honesty. It’s like you are saying that you are laying it all out on the table.

Alternate: When your palms face upward with fingers spread, it means you need something.

Gestures are not merely add-ons to language—they may actually be a fundamental part of it.

#18 You Listen to Me

The palms-down position shows power and dominance—it’s not very positive, but it is commanding. If you have a very strong directive or order, you can use it. Be careful not to use this gesture by default! Hands should be facing up, out, or vertically when speaking. Always having them in the down position is very dominant.

#19 Stop

When you flash your palm at someone, you want them to pause or stop. You can do this while anyone is speaking, and they will almost instantly be quiet (use in emergencies only!).

Alternate: You can also do this when asking a question—it’s a universal attention grabber.

#20 We

The last one can be the most powerful. This gesture can be used whenever you are speaking in a group or to an audience. You open up your arms, as if you are wrapping the audience in a hug, making the “we” gesture. You can also do this when standing next to someone and actually placing your hands behind them as if to indicate “you are in my inner circle.” It is a lovely “come together” gesture when used correctly.

22 More Popular Hand Gestures to Talk with Your Hands

Want to expand your hand-gesture knowledge? We’ve expanded this list to include even more hand gestures! Starting with…

#21 I’m Victorious

What it Means: The V sign with 2 fingers can commonly mean 4 things: the number 2, victory, “what’s up,” peace.

If you turn the palm facing yourself, it becomes an offensive insult. This is common in places like Great Britain. PM Margaret Thatcher made this mistake and essentially insulted a crowd of people7.

In other countries like Great Britain, it could mean a rather nasty phrase: “Up yours!” But most people use it for the “good” meanings. For example, Winston Churchill made this famous as a sign for victory during WWII8.

#22 This Is Deep

What it Means: The accordion-player hands looks like someone is… well, playing the accordion! Great speakers tend to do this when discussing a subject that has a lot of depth9.

How to Use it: Do this when talking about a substantial topic. It mentally “primes” the listener that what you’re saying has deep meaning.

#23 Steepled Fingers

This is one of Kevin O’Leary’s (from Shark Tank) favorites. A steeple is when you lightly tap the tips of your fingers together. It is seen as a wise gesture, but don’t overuse it. These days, everyone is trying it out.

What it Means: This hand gesture, also known as tented fingers, signals high confidence and authority. It’s called steepling because when done, it looks like the hands are pointed like the top of a church steeple10.

Ray Birdwhistell, who studied body movements, found that confident, high-status people who don’t use a lot of body gestures often steeple their hands to demonstrate a confident attitude. This includes people like lawyers, accountants, and investors.

According to the Behavior Panel, when there is a large space between your thumb and your index finger, this indicates confidence. The larger the space, the more confident you are.

Even more interesting is how the steeple can change during an interaction. Within milliseconds, the steeple can turn into a fingers-interlaced position and back to a steeple, signaling the ebb and flow of assurance and doubt11. People can also turn the steeple into prayer hands to attempt to appear more authoritative12.

Try it! Try steepling right now. How do you feel? You might not feel like the Incredible Hulk, but do you feel more powerful? Steepling is one of the most powerful hand cues we have to increase confidence and power.

How to Use it: Want power? Steeple to gain authority and assertiveness in shaky situations. This can easily be done to inspire confidence in yourself and others during a meeting or interview. For example, when a prosecutor is steepling as his witness testifies, the value of the testimony is enhanced because the attorney is perceived as being confident of the witness’s statement13.

Steepling is an easy one for women in particular, since it is seen as assertive, not aggressive. You might also notice your boss do this move without even realizing its power! However, try not to steeple in front of others who want dominance—this might lure you into an unwanted power struggle.

Special Note: Many people report that when they use this gesture, it centers and calms them. It’s similar to the prayer gesture and may have a grounding effect, though more research is needed to confirm this.

#24 Handgun Steeple

You may see all the fingers interlaced except the index fingers in what is known as a “handgun steeple” because it looks like a gun that’s ready to shoot.

What it Means: The handgun steeple is a nonverbal power move. This type of steepling puts emphasis on what you’re saying and is a more aggressive form of steepling that can be seen all over the news during political season14. It can also be used to shoot someone’s ideas down.

How to Use it: Use it to say you mean business. Never use it to establish a cooperative team environment unless you’re aiming to be a dictator.

#25 The Merkel-Raute (Low Steeple)

This is known as the low steeple, or the “Merkel-Raute” (Merkel Diamond)—named after Angela Merkel, Germany’s Chancellor from 2005 to 2021, who turned this gesture into one of the most recognizable political symbols in modern history.

Merkel forms the gesture by clasping her hands in front of her stomach with the thumbs and index fingertips touching to create a diamond shape. It started accidentally during a 2002 photoshoot for Stern magazine when she struggled with what to do with her hands. As a trained physicist, she later explained: “There was always the question of what to do with your arms, and that’s how it came about. It contains a certain symmetry.”

What it Means: The low steeple signals confidence, but it’s more understated than the high steeple. Body language experts describe the Merkel-Raute as projecting “authority without aggression”—it says “I’m in control” without being confrontational. You’ll often see women doing the low steeple when they feel in charge but want to avoid appearing too dominant.

The gesture became so iconic that in the 2013 German federal election, the CDU erected a massive 2,400-square-meter billboard near Berlin’s Central Station—a photo mosaic of 2,150 supporters’ hands all forming the diamond shape. The slogan: “Germany’s future in good hands.”

If you see the low steeple from someone who is listening, the key to deciphering whether they agree with you is to look at other positive or negative cues before and after the low steeple. Positive cues can include: open arms, smiling, head nodding.

These cues are a good sign they will say yes if you’re negotiating a deal or in a business meeting. Negative gestures you may see include: leg crossing, looking away, pursed lips.

All these indicate they may disagree or say no.

How to Use it: The low steeple is a strong choice when you want to project quiet confidence without appearing confrontational. It works especially well during negotiations, one-on-one meetings, and any situation where you’re listening more than speaking. Because the hands rest at waist level, it also prevents nervous fidgeting and keeps your body language composed.

#26 The Basketball Steeple

The basketball steeple is when the hands are in the steeple position in front of you, but there is a space between them like you’re holding an imaginary basketball.

What it Means: This is a power gesture and is used when people want to get you on “their side.” You’ll often see this one during persuasive presentations from enthusiastic speakers who are confident in what they have to offer.

How to Use it: This is the most powerful steeple to get others to begin to agree with and believe in you15. It gives off a flair of likability while also maintaining power, so use this one sparingly during your main arguments.

#27 I’m Pretty (Preening)

This gesture includes all hand movements that aim to make a person look better16. These include: adjusting a tie, repositioning a bracelet, smoothing out wrinkles on a shirt, fixing hair, reapplying lipstick, plucking eyebrows.

What it Means: Preening shows we care enough to want to look our best. We’ll often preen when we meet strangers, want to make a good impression, or before and during a big date to maximize our attraction.

How to Use it: Preening may seem superficial at first, but studies show it’s a good thing: when attorneys do something so simple as pulling at their jacket as the jury enters the room, they are subconsciously perceived by jurors as more likable17.

#28 Hand on Leg

What it Means: This is a hand gesture done when sitting and indicates high confidence since the elbow is pointing up. It’s also high on the territoriality chart since it takes up space and can be used to invade others’ personal boundaries18.

How to Use it: Feeling dominant in a group and have something important to say? Plant your hand on your leg to show others you mean business.

#29 Thumbs Up

What it Means: If you’re from the Western world, thumbs up obviously means “good.” But it can also be used for many other situations19, including: acknowledging a favor granted, greeting someone, requesting permission to carry out an action, indicating understanding, signaling to a waiter.

Cultural caution: In Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and parts of West Africa, the thumbs-up gesture is equivalent to the middle finger. In Australia, it’s fine unless you move it up and down, which turns it into an insult.

How to Use it: As a general rule, your thumbs should be showing if you want to portray confidence. Thumbs are a good indicator of agreement, and even powerful leaders will use their thumbs when gesturing.

#30 Fingers Crossed

What it Means: The fingers-crossed gesture typically means good luck and references the phrase “Keep your fingers crossed.” But did you know it actually originated as an ancient protective device of the Christian Church, as a sign of the cross20?

Cultural caution: In Vietnam, crossed fingers are considered a vulgar insult rather than a sign of good luck.

How to Use it: Cross your fingers to add a bit of luck—but it will probably work only if you believe in it!

#31 I’m Innocent (Open Palms)

What it Means: This gesture is a very submissive, nonthreatening gesture that we love to see. When we see others’ palms, it tells us they are not brandishing weapons or concealing something potentially dangerous. We’re also seen as more credible and open when having open palms because it is more difficult to tell lies with our palms like this21.

Research by Parzuchowski and Wojciszke found that performing honesty-associated gestures like open palms doesn’t just make you look honest—it can actually make you behave more honestly. The physical act primes the concept of integrity in your brain.

It’s also a common gesture used by street beggars, so use this one wisely if you want to appear favorable.

How to Use it: Use this when there’s skepticism in the air or you’re trying to defuse a tense situation. This signals to others to not feel threatened or pressured when you’re negotiating. When talking, you can also use it as a “hand over” signal to let others know it’s their turn to talk.

The Most Positive Gesture: In one experiment, 8 lecturers were asked to use 3 different hand gestures (palms up, finger pointing, and the fingertip-touch) during a series of 10-minute talks to a range of audiences22. The question was: How do audiences feel about these gestures?

Lecturers who used mostly palms up received 84% positive testimonials, 52% when they delivered the exact same presentation to another audience using palm-down, and only 28% were positive when they used finger pointing, with some participants even walking out during the lecture!

Participants also recalled less of what the speaker said during the lecture with finger-pointing, and described them as aggressive, belligerent, and rude.

#32 I Recognize You!

What it Means: Remember when Mom told us, “Don’t point at strangers”? Normally, pointing directly at someone IS a rude gesture.

However, when done in an enthusiastic crowd, such as during performances, speeches, or parties, it can signal that someone is popular and knows a lot of people, or they are genuinely happy to see people.

How to Use it: Here’s a party trick if you’re stuck talking to someone and want an easy exit from a conversation: Point to the way back of the room, give a quick eyebrow flash, and pretend you recognize someone while moving toward the back. This works because crowd pointing can be used deceptively to give off an illusion of knowing someone or even of popularity. For example, Hillary Clinton is a master at crowd pointing. Watch as she uses this gesture to boost her social value before giving her speech (timestamp 0:28).

#33 Trust Me

What it Means: This gesture is typically used when addressing an audience as a speaker. It’s authoritative but honest, since the palms will usually be in an open position.

Body language expert Greg Hartley mentions in a video that a witness is holding her illustrating hands in front of her while describing an event. This implies that she’s telling the truth since those who are lying usually hold their hands to the side. You can watch the full video below:

How to Use it: Use this cue to emphasize a big point or address an important topic.

#34 The Wave

This is the standard hand wave used across the world.

What it Means: Hello! The wave is one of the best rapport-building openers you can use. It works because waves are attractive. Here’s a fun fact: Fiddler crabs wave their claws at females in order to attract them.

It is also a submissive cue—on another animal note, arm waving is something bearded dragons do in the wild to signal to others23 they mean them no harm and are not a threat.

Waving has been considered a part of the mating ritual as well, with females often arm waving back at males who head bob at them.

How to Use it: Want to make waves with a spark of dopamine? A great way is to wave and get a wave back. Also make sure to keep the webcam back during all your video calls so people can see your wave!

#35 The Double Wave

What it Means: Everybody knows the single-hand wave. Add in another hand and you’ve got double the excitement!

#36 Rubbing Hands Together

What it Means: This gesture is hand rubbing and indicates anticipation, thinking, or excitement for something that is going to happen. This is a GREAT indicator to see in business situations and screams “Gimme the goods!”

The speed of hand rubbing actually matters24.

• A fast rub means a person is expecting results to be in your benefit, not theirs.
• A slow rub means a person may feel devious or sneaky, with the results benefiting them and not you.

Here’s a scene in Shark Tank where you can see Daymond John rubbing his hands in anticipation (timestamp 2:24).

#37 The Hand Purse

The purse can be formed when all fingertips come together on one hand and the palm is turned upward. It can also involve an up-and-down motion.

What it Means: Generally, this is used to show something is good. Often, the hand will “beat down” while key words are uttered.

The purse can also mean different things, depending on your location25.

• Greece and Turkey: “Good.”
• Spain: “Lots of” something.
• Malta: Implies heavy sarcasm.
• Tunisia: Indicates caution, as in to take things slowly.
• France and Belgium: “I am afraid.”
• Italy: “What’s the matter, what’s up?”

#38 The Money Pincher

This gesture is similar to the purse, but involves rubbing the fingertips with the thumb. Imagine a coin being rubbed between the thumb and fingertips.

What it Means: If the purse means “good,” the money pincher means “Woohoo! Money!”

How to Use it: You can use this to indicate a good bargain; however, this gesture should generally be avoided by professionals because it carries a negative, greedy connotation26.

#39 The Sand Pinch

The tips of the index finger and thumb come together, almost as if pinching some grains of sand, with the palm facing downward.

What it Means: This gesture can be an OK gesture, but most often it’s used by speakers to make a point or explain something important. The Peases taught this to groups of speakers, politicians, and business leaders and measured audience reactions—those who listened to the speakers using this gesture described them as thoughtful, goal-oriented, and focused.

Alternatively, it can also mean “perfect” in some parts of the world27.

How to Use it: Sprinkle this gesture throughout your speeches to help drill down things for your audience to remember. Bill Clinton, known for his powerful body language, often does this in his speeches to emphasize an important point.

#40 This Is Precise (The OK Sign)

What it Means: Other than… well, OK, the OK sign is often used by speakers as a precision cue to emphasize a point while speaking28.

How to Use it: You can subtly use this to let others know you’re comfortable and self-assured by resting your thumb and index finger lightly on your leg. This will unconsciously trigger in your conversation partner’s mind that you’re actually feeling good29.

You may also “catch” someone lying with this cue30—if a person says their competitor’s sales are doing badly, but uses this precision cue, then you can assume that they’re actually doing well and catch them in a lie.

Don’t use this when traveling to the Mediterranean or other countries like Brazil, however, as it can be used as a vulgar gesture31.

Speakers using open palms received 84% positive testimonials versus only 28% when using finger pointing.

#41 Hands Behind Back

If one hand grabs the other arm’s wrist behind the back, this is a classic “patrol hands” stance you might see from a security guard who is making routine patrols. It basically says, “I mean business.” The pose is also common in people who are pondering in a relaxed, observant manner, such as walking through a garden.

What it Means: This stance exudes authority, and coupled with the chest puffed out, displays high confidence.

The hands behind the back is also viewed as a more formal or respectful gesture. It’s a nonconfrontational gesture since the vulnerable front of the body is exposed without the hands to protect it.

In the Peases’ work with law enforcement officers, they found that officers who don’t wear firearms use this pose regularly while rocking back and forth on the balls of their feet. This lets them gain additional height and seem more authoritative.

Police who wear firearms, however, seldom do this gesture and instead hang their arms to the side or tuck their thumbs into their belt. But can you guess why? Because having a firearm gives the officer sufficient power, so the patrol hand gesture isn’t needed.

How to Use it: This is a great gesture to use under high-stress situations. Consider pairing this with stress management techniques. It gives you more confidence and authority when you need it the most32.

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Negative Hand Gestures to Avoid

What about negative hand gestures? Here are some negative gestures you might be using but are unaware of. Keep these out of your handy speaking toolbox!

#42 Please Give It! (The Beckon)

Have you ever seen someone ask—or even beg—for something?

What it Means: This gesture can be seen used by street beggars, flirtatious singles at night clubs, and even creeps.

However, it can also be very dangerous if you use it wrong…

The Deadly Swimmers

One day, 2 northern European swimmers went on holiday in the Mediterranean. Feeling adventurous, they went beyond the tourist beach and found themselves approaching a restricted military zone.

Unfortunately, this zone was protected by armed guards who spotted the swimmers. Immediately, the guards thought they were spies. They beckoned to come ashore.

The swimmers, after seeing this gesture, realized they were in a restricted zone and turned away to swim back. Unfortunately, the guards saw them retreat, assumed they were actually spies trying to escape, and shot them with their rifles.

So why did this happen? It turns out the guards used the Mediterranean beckon gesture, performed by taking the hand and sweeping downward with the palm facing DOWN.

However, the swimmers, not from this area, were used to the beckon gesture being performed with the palms UP. Seeing the guards use the palm down version made them think this meant “go back.”

So depending on where you are in the world, the beckon can be different—the English and French often keep their palms upward, while Italians keep their palms downward. This rule can be applied to ALL hand gestures and body language cues: Cultural differences can literally mean life or death (or, in most cases, a bit of embarrassment), so be mindful when reading body language.

#43 Hand Holding Arm

Arm touching comes in many forms—massaging, scratching, or resting the hand on the arm.

What it Means: Anytime someone touches their arms, it might signal one of the following: insecurity, doubt, anxiety, stress, uncertainty.

When the arms are massaged, this cue is a self-pacifying gesture similar to the “self-hug.” When it’s combined with other gestures, you can be more certain of what this cue can mean. Be sure to check out our arm body language guide to know more about arm gestures to look for.

#44 Thumbs Down

What it Means: You may know that thumbs down means “bad” or “no good”—but did you know this was also the Roman gesture that could spell death33.

Here’s how this came to be: When a gladiator was defeated in combat in the arena, he was either spared or killed on the spot by the victor. So who decided if he was spared or killed? The crowd of spectators.

If they wanted the loser to live, they would simply ball their fists outward. But if they wanted him dead… the crowd would point their thumbs to the contestants, which looked like a thumbs down in the gladiator’s eyes, and signaled a sword thrust to end the loser’s life.

How to Use it: Generally, you shouldn’t use the thumbs down position unless you want to create negative rapport. Big leaders will rarely be seen using the thumbs down position during their talks, and it can often be seen as childish to do so.

#45 Listen to Me… or Else

How to Use it: Generally, you don’t want to use gestures with the palms down if you’re not in a position of power. Others may feel it’s an order and feel antagonistic toward you34. However, people in authority can easily use it to those below them since it’s more acceptable.

But be careful of using it too much. Having your palms down is a very powerful gesture. Historically, the extended-arm, palms-down gesture has been co-opted for authoritarian purposes—most infamously as the Nazi salute used during Hitler’s regime. The gesture was designed to demand absolute obedience and submission from crowds. It’s a stark reminder that hand gestures carry enormous symbolic weight, and that the palms-down position, when taken to its extreme, can become a tool of oppression rather than leadership.

#46 Table Planting

What it Means: This is an affirmative display. If hands are lightly resting on the table, this can mean they are comfortable. But if they are pushing strongly down on the table, it’s as if they’re affirmatively saying, “I didn’t do it”35.

People who are lying tend to struggle to put their hands down confidently on the table. In fact, Navarro has never seen a liar successfully pull this off.

How to Use it: Place your hands on the table with your palm down and fingers spread wide. This makes you look more authentic. You can also gauge honesty in others by checking their finger space!

#47 Limp Wrist

A limp wrist is a wrist with no tension. You can try it out now—put your forearm parallel to the ground at around belly area and just let your wrists loose.

What it Means: The limp wrist can signal attraction or submissiveness. This is actually a display of vulnerability, similar to how animals signal nonaggression through relaxed postures.

How to Use it: The limp wrist can work if you want to appear approachable when flirting, but in business situations, this can be a deal breaker. Limp wrists can signal that you lack authority.

#48 Hand Shrug

When the hands are out to the side and palms facing up, you’ve got the hand shrug.

What it Means: This is a universal “what do you know?” or “I don’t know” gesture. Studies show that nurses make greater use of the hand shrug gesture when lying, as if to relinquish any responsibility for their verbal statements36.

Watch this clip as Bill Gates uses the hand shrug when he wins on The Ellen DeGeneres Show (timestamp 2:42).

How to Use it: The hand shrug isn’t only for uncertainty. You can also use hand shrugging with a single hand to indicate something is either good or bad. Body language expert Chase Hughes says that people will tend to favor one side—for example, their left side for something good and their right for something bad.

You can then become more persuasive and build rapport by leaning and gesturing to their left while talking about your own product and leaning and gesturing to their right when talking about your competitor’s.

#49 The Hand Seat

What it Means: Sitting on your hands is similar to shoving them deep down into your pockets. You may see this gesture with kids and shy teenagers but rarely in the business world. This is a super closed-off gesture and should be avoided. Instead, show your hands and open them up to make a good impression.

#50 Nail Picking

This gesture can be done with either one or two hands and is done with the fingers curled while the nails flick together37. Or they can simply be chewed to death.

What it Means: Picking at nails is a bad habit many people share. It’s a pacifying gesture that’s done when people are feeling anxious or stressed. It also is a dead giveaway—you can easily tell someone’s a nail picker, even if they aren’t actively picking, just by looking at their hands.

Pro Tip: One easy method to stop nail picking is to wear a rubber band on your wrist. Every time you catch yourself biting or picking your nails, snap down on that band! Did it hurt? A bit. Did it work? It can be surprisingly effective.

#51 I’m Holy (Prayer Hands)

If you’ve ever prayed before, you know what this gesture looks like. It’s super common in religious settings but is also used in interactions.

What it Means: Need to take a step down? Prayer hands is a natural humbling gesture that is used for forgiveness. Some cultures even use it as thanks, such as in the Japanese culture.

Thais will also use this with a slight bow, in a greeting known as the “wai.” In this case, it’s more respectful and even replaces the handshake.

Indians will also use prayer hands and say, “Namaste.” You may have noticed Donald Trump using a version of this gesture—pressing his palms together in front of his chest in a prayer-like or “Namaste” position. Trump has used this gesture in greetings and during speeches, and body language analysts note it serves a dual purpose: it projects a moment of humility or reverence while also keeping the hands visible and centered, which draws attention to the speaker.

#52 Clasped Hands

What it Means: People clasp their hands when they’ve heard bad news or suddenly have a thought that causes them fear. Generally, it’s not a good sign to see hands together, although it could also simply mean a person is cold.

#53 I’m the Boss (Catapulting)

I’m the boss, or catapulting, is when someone sticks their hands behind their head. They may also be leaning back in a chair with their legs splayed out.

What it Means: This is usually a sign of confidence, especially when the elbows are flared out with other open body language.

It can also be a sign of being overwhelmed, however, if the elbows are pointed forward and covering a downward-pointing head.

How to Use it: Catapult to feel confident and in control. If you’re the boss or manager, this may even come naturally to you! If you’re around superiors, though, catapulting is probably the last thing that will come naturally to you. That’s because this pose makes you physically big and is generally reserved for high-status individuals only.

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Case Study: Donald Trump’s Hand Gestures and What They Reveal

Few modern public figures have generated as much discussion about hand gestures as Donald Trump. Whether you agree with his politics or not, his gesturing style is a masterclass in how hand movements shape audience perception—and body language experts have studied it extensively.

The Thumb-and-Forefinger Pinch (Precision Gesture): Trump’s most iconic gesture is pressing his thumb and index finger together in an “OK” or precision pinch, often held at chest level and rhythmically “punching” the air. Body language analysts note that this gesture signals precision and control—it says, “I know exactly what I’m talking about.” Unlike an open palm (which invites), the pinch narrows the listener’s focus to a single point. Trump uses it almost constantly during rallies and press conferences, which reinforces a sense of absolute certainty in his statements.

The Accordion Hands: Trump frequently uses a wide accordion-style gesture—both hands moving in and out as if squeezing an invisible accordion. As noted in gesture #22 above, this typically signals depth and substance. In Trump’s case, body language experts like Allan Pease have observed that the wide, repetitive motion amplifies the perceived size and importance of whatever topic he’s discussing. It makes small points feel big.

The Open-Palm Push-Away: When dismissing an idea, a reporter’s question, or a political opponent, Trump often extends one or both palms outward in a pushing motion. This is a dominance gesture that physically “rejects” whatever is being discussed. It’s the gestural equivalent of saying “Get that out of here.”

The Power Handshake: Trump’s handshake style became international news. He frequently uses a pull-in handshake—gripping the other person’s hand and yanking them toward him. Body language experts describe this as a classic dominance move designed to physically destabilize the other person and establish the upper-hand position (see #59 above). World leaders like Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron were observed bracing for and countering this move in widely analyzed footage.

What His Gestures Reveal About Personality: Taken together, Trump’s gesture patterns paint a consistent personality portrait through body language. The constant precision pinch projects certainty and conviction. The accordion hands amplify importance. The push-away dismisses opposition. And the power handshake establishes dominance. Whether these gestures are instinctive or strategically coached, they create a nonverbal brand of absolute confidence and authority—which is precisely why they resonate with some audiences and alienate others.

The Takeaway: You don’t have to adopt Trump’s style, but studying it illustrates a key principle: consistency between gestures and message creates a powerful impression. His gestures never signal uncertainty, hesitation, or deference—and that alignment between verbal message and nonverbal delivery is what makes his communication style so distinctive, regardless of the content.

6 Other Hand-some Cues

OK, we’ve got the positive and negative out of the way. These are the remainders that didn’t quite fit in either:

#54 Your Hand Appearance

Take a look at your hands. How do they shape up? Are they rough, smooth, calloused, scarred? Are the fingernails clean? Do you have a ring?

Indicators of the hands are everywhere38.

• Rough, calloused hands are an indicator that you do manual labor or lifting.
• Scars might mean you work on a farm, or they could be from athletic wounds received on the playing field.
• If you typically stand with your hands at the side with the fingers curled, this may indicate prior military experience.
• Calluses on the fingertips are common in guitar players.
• Manicured, clean fingernails indicate a high level of conscientiousness, while ratty, dirty, or bitten nails indicate nervousness, insecurity, and high neuroticism.
• Long nails are an effeminate indicator on men.
• A ring can be symbolic of different things—marriage, family lineage, school affiliation, and group belonging, to name a few.

#55 Intertwined Hands

How do you hold hands? We only hold hands with those we are close to, but there’s a way to holding hands that you may not know about.

What it Means: Generally, simply clasping a person’s hands is not as intimate as interlacing fingers with them39. This is because interlaced fingers is more stimulating, as more nerves in the hands make contact. You can observe a couple’s hand holding as a general gauge of how close or serious a partnership is.

Hand holding is also very common among female friends and even close male friends, especially in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam.

#56 Hook ‘Em Horns 🤘

The “hook ‘em horns” sign is popular among students and staff at the University of Texas at Austin. This hand gesture was also used by President George W. Bush on Inauguration Day in 2005… but little did he know there would be international backlash around this.

What it Means: This “friendly” gesture is interpreted by many Latin American countries as telling someone that their spouse is cheating on them. It’s definitely not a good sign for presidents to use or if they’re making a big public appearance in Latin America.

However, it can also mean “I love you” if you perform it with the thumb outward40. And in heavy metal culture, it’s the universal “rock on” sign, popularized by Ronnie James Dio of Black Sabbath, who adopted it from his Italian grandmother as a gesture to ward off the “evil eye” (called the malocchio).

#57 Hey, There (Touch)

What happens when someone touches us? Hopefully, it’s not unwanted. If we like it, we may even feel inclined to touch them back in return.

What it Means: People touch others when they want social harmony. Other times, they may be seeking comfort or reassurance from you. You’ll often see touching happen from a supervisor before an employee is fired or in a dating relationship when a breakup is about to occur41.

And according to science42, humans are wired to decode touch. We can literally feel emotions just by touch alone:

• Sympathy is associated with stroking and patting
• Anger is associated with hitting and squeezing
• Disgust is associated with a pushing motion
• Fear is associated with trembling

How to Use it: Just like the Ben Franklin effect, where asking for a favor may net us a favor in return, touching someone may make them feel more inclined to touch us back. The best kind of touch is a light touch, lasting one second or less, on the upper arm area. This can help with flirting, being perceived as more friendly, or even help you in business meetings.

#58 Touch Me, Please (Object Stroking)

What it Means: When the desire to touch someone is transferred to an object (usually early on in the courtship process), you may notice your date stroking their arm or repeatedly sliding their fingers up and down a glass.

This is a subconscious flirting signal and stress reliever. You may see this cue in first date couples. Pick up on the right flirting cues, and you may not even have to rely on luck.

#59 The Handshake

The handshake is one of the most widely used hand gestures in the West during first interactions and also one of the most important cues.

What it Means: Shaking hands is usually done between newly acquainted people and declines as the relationship grows; old friends will shake hands less and less43. However, it’s important to shake when meeting someone, as it is a great warmth builder.

Shaking hands even originated way back in the Roman times, where 2 leaders would meet, greet, and even arm wrestle while standing44! Pretty hardcore, right?

The stronger leader would finish with their hand above the other’s hand, known as upper-hand position. You’ll often see this in business deals and famous politicians today45.

You can even tell personality traits from a person’s style of shaking. A study by William Chaplin of the University of Alabama found that extroverts tended to use firm handshakes, while shy neurotics didn’t46. Also, women open to new ideas used firm handshakes, while men used the same handshake whether they were open to new ideas or not.

But do you know what’s worse than no handshake at all? A bad one. A cold, clammy handshake can literally break rapport in milliseconds.

How to Use it: If you’re not the one initiating handshakes, start doing it. The Peases conducted a study of 350 successful senior management executives (89% of whom were men) and found that almost all managers initiated the handshake.

On top of that, 88% of men and only 31% of women used the dominant handshake position.

But in business situations, a soft handshake can undermine credibility. To prevent an unequal balance of power, a good rule of thumb is to apply the same tension and strength in the handshake as you receive.

Older people generally require less pressure, while higher-status individuals will set the tone for length and pressure to apply. You can even add a warm embrace to the handshake. Slow-motion analysis shows that even when shakers are nonembracers, there is a perceptible body-leaning toward each other—small, telltale intention movements of embracing47.

Now here’s how to perform the perfect handshake in 7 steps:

1. Maintain good eye contact.
2. Smile, if appropriate.
3. Extend your arm with a slight bend at the elbow.
4. Point your hand downward as you move your fingers toward the other person’s hand.
5. Clasp hands, with equal pressure.
6. “Engulf” each other to release oxytocin.
7. After a second or so, release.

But don’t shake when it’s unwanted. Salespeople learned early on that a handshake when unannounced or uninvited can produce negative results, as the buyer might not want to welcome them and feel forced into a handshake48.

So the solution? Use a head nod instead. Or wait for the buyer to initiate a shake first.

#60 The “Politician’s Point”

You’ve probably seen this one without knowing its name. Instead of pointing with the index finger (which reads as aggressive), the speaker presses their thumb against the side of their curled index finger and “points” with the thumb-finger unit.

What it Means: This modified point was designed to project authority and conviction without the accusatory feel of a standard finger point. Body language experts Allan and Barbara Pease describe the standard “palm-closed-finger-pointed” gesture as a symbolic club used to beat listeners into submission. The politician’s point softens that effect while keeping the directional emphasis.

Bill Clinton popularized this gesture during his presidency, and it’s now standard training for political candidates and executives. Watch any major political speech and you’ll spot it within the first 2 minutes.

How to Use it: Replace any instinct to point with your index finger during presentations or meetings. The thumb-press version lets you direct attention, emphasize a point, and gesture toward individuals without triggering the negative reaction that comes with standard pointing.

Hand Gestures That Can Get You in Trouble Abroad

Before you travel internationally, memorize this quick reference. A gesture that’s perfectly friendly in one country can be deeply offensive in another:

Gesture	Western Meaning	Where It’s Offensive	What It Means There
Thumbs up	”Good job”	Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan	Equivalent to the middle finger
OK sign (circle)	“All good”	Brazil, Turkey, Greece	A vulgar insult
V-sign (palm inward)	Peace	UK, Ireland, Australia	Equivalent to the middle finger
Beckoning finger	”Come here”	Philippines, Singapore, Japan	Used only for dogs; can lead to arrest in the Philippines
”The Horns” 🤘	“Rock on”	Italy, Spain, Brazil	Signals a spouse is being unfaithful
Crossed fingers	Good luck	Vietnam	A vulgar insult
Open palm thrust	”Stop” / “High five”	Greece	One of the most offensive gestures possible

Action Step: When traveling internationally, always default to your right hand for greetings, eating, and transactions. In Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African cultures, the left hand is traditionally reserved for personal hygiene, and using it for social interactions is considered disrespectful. In East Asia (Japan, South Korea), use both hands to give or receive items like business cards.

Best Hand Gestures for Public Speaking

If you have a big presentation coming up, here are the 5 most effective gestures to master first:

1. Open palms (84% positive audience response) — Use whenever you want to build trust and credibility
2. Listing with fingers — Hold up fingers as you count through your points. This gives your audience a nonverbal anchor and makes your structure easy to follow
3. The steeple — Use briefly when you want to project confidence during Q&A or when delivering your core argument
4. The “everything” sweep — Open both arms wide when making a big, inclusive point
5. The “you” gesture — Point with an open palm (never a finger) toward the audience to create connection

Pro Tip: A gesture should land exactly with the word it emphasizes. If it arrives a second too late, it looks “laggy” and unnatural. Practice by recording yourself and watching for timing mismatches.

People with higher reasoning ability produce significantly more representational gestures—your hands process the right answer before your words catch up.

Practicing with Hand Gestures

Want some extra practice? Watch the video below to practice everything you’ve learned in this article:

And make sure to never use these hand gestures in certain countries. Practice your positive gestures with:

If you truly want to connect and understand people, they will remember you and feel good about being with you. This is all related to influence.

The human face is constantly sending signals, and we use it to understand the person’s intentions when we speak to them.

In Decode, we dive deep into these microexpressions to teach you how to instantly pick up on them and understand the meaning behind what is said to you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are hand gestures?

Hand gestures are movements of the hands and fingers used to communicate meaning, emphasize speech, or express emotions. They are a core part of body language and nonverbal communication. Researchers classify them into illustrators (visually depicting content), beat gestures (rhythmic emphasis), emblems (culturally specific signs like thumbs up), and adaptors (self-touching movements).

Are hand gestures a sign of intelligence?

Research says yes. A study from Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin found that people with higher fluid intelligence (the ability to reason through new problems) produced significantly more representational gestures. Susan Goldin-Meadow at the University of Chicago also discovered that gesturing frees up brainpower, helping people perform better on complex thinking tasks.

Are hand gestures body language?

Yes. Hand gestures are one of the most important forms of body language. They fall under the broader category of nonverbal communication, which also includes facial expressions, posture, eye contact, and tone of voice. Research suggests that nonverbal signals carry a significant portion of the meaning in face-to-face conversations.

Are hand gestures good in a presentation?

Absolutely. Science of People’s TED Talk analysis found that the most popular speakers used nearly twice as many hand gestures (465) as the least popular speakers (272). A 2025 study in the Journal of Marketing Research confirmed that speakers who use illustrator gestures are rated as more clear, competent, and persuasive.

Are hand gestures good in an interview?

Yes, when used naturally. Open palms signal honesty and transparency. Controlled, purposeful gestures show enthusiasm and conviction. Subtly mirroring an interviewer’s gestures can build subconscious rapport. Avoid fidgeting (signals anxiety) and keeping your hands hidden (signals distrust).

Are hand gestures rude?

It depends entirely on context and culture. A thumbs up is positive in the West but deeply offensive in Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The OK sign is vulgar in Brazil and Turkey. The V-sign with palm inward is an insult in the UK. Always research local customs before traveling.

What does the 🤘 hand gesture mean?

The 🤘 gesture has multiple meanings depending on context. In heavy metal culture, it means “rock on” and was popularized by Ronnie James Dio. At the University of Texas, it’s the “Hook ‘em Horns” sign. With the thumb extended outward, it means “I love you” in American Sign Language. In Italy, Spain, and Latin America, it can mean a spouse is being unfaithful.

What are the best hand gestures for public speaking?

The top 5 gestures for public speaking are open palms (builds trust, 84% positive audience response), listing with fingers (anchors your structure), the steeple (projects confidence), the “everything” sweep (inclusive grand gestures), and the “you” open-palm point (creates audience connection). Match each gesture to the word it emphasizes for maximum impact.

What does Angela Merkel’s hand gesture mean?

Angela Merkel’s signature gesture, called the Merkel-Raute (Merkel Diamond), is a low steeple formed by touching the thumbs and index fingertips together in a diamond shape at waist level. Body language experts say it projects authority without aggression. It started accidentally during a 2002 photoshoot and became one of the most recognizable political symbols in modern history.

What do Donald Trump’s hand gestures mean?

Trump’s most distinctive gestures include the thumb-and-forefinger precision pinch (projecting certainty), accordion hands (amplifying importance), the open-palm push-away (dismissing opposition), and the pull-in power handshake (establishing dominance). Body language analysts note that his gestures consistently signal absolute confidence and authority, never uncertainty or deference. This alignment between his verbal message and nonverbal delivery is what makes his communication style so recognizable.

What does the Hitler salute hand gesture mean?

The Nazi salute—an extended right arm with palm facing down—was adopted by Hitler’s regime as a mandatory gesture of loyalty and obedience. It originated from what was incorrectly believed to be an ancient Roman salute. The gesture was designed to replace traditional greetings like the handshake, eliminating personal warmth and replacing it with rigid submission to authority. Today, the gesture is banned in Germany and several other countries, and it serves as one of history’s most powerful examples of how a hand gesture can be weaponized for political control. It’s a stark reminder that gestures carry enormous symbolic weight and cultural memory.

What hand gestures work on FaceTime?

Apple’s iOS 17 and later supports 8 gesture-based reactions: a heart shape (floating hearts), single thumbs up or down (emoji), two thumbs up (fireworks), two thumbs down (rain), one peace sign (balloons), two peace signs (confetti), and two “rock on” signs (laser beams). You need an iPhone 12 or newer, or any Mac with Apple Silicon.

Are hand gestures illegal?

In the United States, hand gestures—even obscene ones—are generally protected speech under the First Amendment. The Sixth Circuit ruled in Cruise-Gulyas v. Minard (2019) that giving the middle finger to a police officer is protected speech. However, gestures can become illegal if they constitute direct threats, workplace harassment, or contempt of court.

What is hand gesture recognition?

Hand gesture recognition is technology that uses cameras, sensors, or AI to interpret human hand movements as commands for digital systems. It’s used in Apple Vision Pro for navigation, Apple Watch’s Double Tap feature, surgical environments where doctors control screens without breaking sterile conditions, and real-time sign language translation.

Hand Gestures Takeaway

Hand gestures are one of the most powerful (and underused) tools in your communication toolkit. Here are your next steps:

1. Start with listing. The next time you say a number in conversation, hold up the corresponding fingers. This is the easiest gesture to add and it immediately makes your communication more memorable.
2. Open your palms. When making a request or building trust, show your palms. Research shows this single change can shift audience perception from 28% positive (finger pointing) to 84% positive.
3. Try the steeple. Before your next meeting, practice steepling your fingers for 30 seconds. Notice how it changes your posture and mindset.
4. Film yourself. Record a 2-minute explanation of something you know well. Watch it back and count your gestures. Then try again with 50% more purposeful hand movement.
5. Learn the cultural danger zones. Before any international trip or video call with global colleagues, review the cultural cautions table above.
6. Stay in the box. Keep gestures between your chest and waist, within shoulder width. Anything outside this zone reads as frantic.
7. Match gesture to word. The gesture should land at the exact moment you say the key word. Practice until this timing feels natural.

Gesturing actually frees up brainpower—when people gesture while explaining a problem, they perform significantly better on secondary tasks.

Side Note: As much as possible we tried to use academic research or expert opinion for this master body language guide. Occasionally, when we could not find research we include anecdotes that are helpful. As more research comes out on nonverbal behavior we will be sure to add it!

Footnotes (48)

1. Holler, J., & Beattie, G. (2003). How iconic gestures and speech interact in the representation of meaning. Semiotica, 146, 81–116. ↩

2. ScienceDaily — Gestures Fulfill a Big Role in Language (2012) ↩

3. Goldin-Meadow, S. et al. Gesturing gives children new ideas about math. Psychological Science. ↩

4. Talley, Linda, and Samuel Temple. How Leaders Influence Followers through the Use of Nonverbal Communication. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, vol. 36, no. 1, 2015, pp. 69-80. ↩

5. Zhou, M. et al. (2025). Hand gestures in TED Talks. Journal of Marketing Research. ↩

6. ScienceDaily — Hand Gestures Linked to Better Speaking ↩

7. Pease, A. & Pease, B. The Definitive Book of Body Language. Bantam, 2006. ↩

8. Churchill’s V for Victory Sign — Imperial War Museums ↩

9. Pease, A. & Pease, B. The Definitive Book of Body Language. Bantam, 2006. ↩

10. Navarro, J. What Every BODY Is Saying. William Morrow, 2008. ↩

11. Navarro, J. What Every BODY Is Saying. William Morrow, 2008. ↩

12. Pease, A. & Pease, B. The Definitive Book of Body Language. Bantam, 2006. ↩

13. Navarro, J. What Every BODY Is Saying. William Morrow, 2008. ↩

14. Pease, A. & Pease, B. The Definitive Book of Body Language. Bantam, 2006. ↩

15. Pease, A. & Pease, B. The Definitive Book of Body Language. Bantam, 2006. ↩

16. Morris, D. Peoplewatching: The Desmond Morris Guide to Body Language. Vintage, 2002. ↩

17. Pease, A. & Pease, B. The Definitive Book of Body Language. Bantam, 2006. ↩

18. Navarro, J. What Every BODY Is Saying. William Morrow, 2008. ↩

19. Morris, D. Peoplewatching: The Desmond Morris Guide to Body Language. Vintage, 2002. ↩

20. Crossed Fingers Origin — Encyclopedia Britannica ↩

21. Pease, A. & Pease, B. The Definitive Book of Body Language. Bantam, 2006. ↩

22. Pease, A. & Pease, B. The Definitive Book of Body Language. Bantam, 2006. ↩

23. Bearded Dragon Arm Waving — Reptile Behaviour Research ↩

24. Pease, A. & Pease, B. The Definitive Book of Body Language. Bantam, 2006. ↩

25. Morris, D. Gestures: Their Origins and Distribution. Stein and Day, 1979. ↩

26. Pease, A. & Pease, B. The Definitive Book of Body Language. Bantam, 2006. ↩

27. Morris, D. Gestures: Their Origins and Distribution. Stein and Day, 1979. ↩

28. Pease, A. & Pease, B. The Definitive Book of Body Language. Bantam, 2006. ↩

29. Navarro, J. What Every BODY Is Saying. William Morrow, 2008. ↩

30. Navarro, J. What Every BODY Is Saying. William Morrow, 2008. ↩

31. OK Gesture Cultural Meanings — Global Rescue ↩

32. Navarro, J. What Every BODY Is Saying. William Morrow, 2008. ↩

33. Thumbs Down in Ancient Rome — Smithsonian Magazine ↩

34. Pease, A. & Pease, B. The Definitive Book of Body Language. Bantam, 2006. ↩

35. Navarro, J. What Every BODY Is Saying. William Morrow, 2008. ↩

36. Navarro, J. What Every BODY Is Saying. William Morrow, 2008. ↩

37. Navarro, J. What Every BODY Is Saying. William Morrow, 2008. ↩

38. Navarro, J. What Every BODY Is Saying. William Morrow, 2008. ↩

39. Morris, D. Peoplewatching: The Desmond Morris Guide to Body Language. Vintage, 2002. ↩

40. I Love You Sign vs. Rock Horns — ASL University ↩

41. Navarro, J. What Every BODY Is Saying. William Morrow, 2008. ↩

42. Hertenstein, M. J. et al. (2006). Touch communicates distinct emotions. Emotion, 6(3), 528–533. ↩

43. Pease, A. & Pease, B. The Definitive Book of Body Language. Bantam, 2006. ↩

44. History of the Handshake — Smithsonian Magazine ↩

45. Pease, A. & Pease, B. The Definitive Book of Body Language. Bantam, 2006. ↩

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