Cue notation is a way to transcribing handshape and placement sequences using numbers and letters (e.g., 3t1m indicates how one would cue the word happy). This system is not a written language for Cued Speech users. Native cuers use the written form of the language they cue (e.g., written English for cued English users). Cue notation simply indicates how a word is cued, which can be helpful for students while learning to cue.
Each handshape is assigned a number from one to eight. This number is solely for reference and does not indicate the how the English words for numbers (e.g., six, eight, one) are cued. The numbers generally correspond to the number of extended fingers when the handshape is formed. For example, the handshape for /d/ is produced with only the pointer finger extended. It is referred to as Handshape 1. The handshape for /k/ is produced with the index and middle fingers extended. That hadnshape is referred to as Handshape 2. The handshape for /h/ requires the cuer to extend the middle, ring, and pinky fingers. That handshape is referred to as Handshape 3.
After Handshape 5 (for which all five fingers are extended), the thumb carries a value of five. So the handshape for /l/ (with the thumb and index finger extended) is referred to as Handshape 6. The exception to these guidelines is Handshape 8. Handhshape 8 is formed similarly to Handshape 2 by extending the index and middle finger, however, the fingers are spread apart.
| Cue Notation Symbol | Handshape | Phonemes |
| 1 | 1 | /d, p, zh/ |
| 2 | 2 | /k, v, TH, z/ |
| 3 | 3 | /h, r, s/ |
| 4 | 4 | /b, n, wh/ |
| 5 | 5 | /m, f, t/ |
| 6 | 6 | /l, sh, w/ |
| 7 | 7 | /j, g, th/ |
| 8 | 8 | /g, y, ng/ |
An exception to the numbering system is Cued Speech adaptation for Polish – Fonogesty. Our handshape 5 is referred to as Układ 1 in Fonogesty. Our handshape 3 is their Układ 8.
The placements are each assigned a letter corresponding to the first letter of the name for the placement. The letter "c" stands for the "chin" and "m" stands for the "mouth".
| Cue Notation Symbol | Placement | Phonemes |
| c | chin | /aw, e, ue/ |
| m | mouth | /ee, ur/ |
| t | throat | /a, i, oo/ |
| s | side | N/A (consonant alone) |
| sd | side-down | /uh/ |
| sd | side-forward | /ah, oe/ |
Because cueing represents consonant-vowel units, both the number (handshape) and letter (placement) must be written sequentially. Following are some examples:
| Word | Phonemes | Meta Information | Cue Notation |
| He | /hee/ |
h = handshape 3 ee = mouth placement |
3m |
| She | /shee/ |
sh = handshape 6 ee = mouth placement |
6m |
| Him | /hi, m/ |
h = handshape 3 i = throat placement m = handshape 5 _ = side placement (consonant alone) |
3t5s |
| Her | /hur/ |
h = handshape 3 ur = mouth placement |
3m |
| Me | /mee/ |
m = handshape 5 ee = mouth placement |
5m |
| You | /yue/ |
y = handshape 8 ue = chin placement |
8c |
| Heater | /hee, tur/ |
h = handshape 3 ee = mouth placement t = handshape 5 ur = mouth placement |
3m5m |
| Finish | /fi, ni, sh/ |
f = handshape 5 i = throat placement n = handshape 4 i = throat placement sh = handshape 6 _ = side placement (consonant alone) |
5t4t6s |
Diphthongs are two vowels that occur together in a single syllable. When cued, the hand moves from one vowel placement to another with handshape 5 occuring for the second vowel. In cue notation, diphthongs may be shown without spaces or with hyphens:
hey = 3c5t or 3c-5t
how = 3s5t or 3s-5t
Flicks can be represented with an apostrophe (') or an asterisk (*). This site uses an asterisk to avoid confusion with stress marks shown in the pronunication (e.g., {raft|ræˈft|raft}}).
Sometimes a comma (,) is used between cued segments (e.g., happiness 3t, 1m, 4t, 3s).