I count on my fingers using this method:
-
No fingers = 0, assume all values are cumulative unless stated otherwise.
-
Start with index finger on Right hand:
- 1 = Index
- 2 = Middle
- 3 = Ring
- 4 = Pinky
- 5 = Thumb
- After five, clear hand and start from Thumb and go until 9 (Ring)
- 6 = Thumb
- 7 = Index … etc
- Double digits are counted on Left hand*, following same process as 1-3.
- For example: 13 would be:
- Left Hand: Index
- Right Hand: Index, Middle, Ring
- For something like 47 would be:
- Left Hand: Index, Middle, Ring, Pinky
- Right Hand: Thumb, Index
Using this method, the highest you can count to is 109:
- Left Hand: Thumb, Index, Middle, Ring, Pinky
- Right Hand: Thumb, Index, Middle, Ring
You could also probably differentiate 5 and 10 by half-raising your thumb for 5, and full raise for 6-10.


If I need to count higher than 25ish I need to use something better than my hands. I know I can use binary but it’s too much effort. I just count sets of five on one hand and the partial sets on the other.