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.


0 to 1023 is 1024 possible values, but the highest value you can display is still 1023.
When you count on your fingers in base 10, do you tell people you can “actually” count to 11? Of course not. Only if you, in fact, killed Inigo Montoya’s father.
You simply add one to each count. No fingers up equalt 1 (0+1). Only left pinky up equals 2 (1+2). Only left ring finger up is 3 (2+1). Left pinky and ring finger up equals 4 (3+1). Continue up to all fingers up equals 1024 (1023+1),
I can count to 11 on my fingers