About the Braille Translator
This braille translator converts English text into Grade 1 (uncontracted) Unified English Braille, shown as Unicode braille cells like ⠓⠑⠇⠇⠕ that you can copy into documents, labels and messages. It also works in reverse: paste braille cells and it decodes them back into print. The breakdown table lists the six-dot pattern for every symbol used, so you can learn the alphabet or emboss by hand.
It is useful for teachers and students learning braille, parents of braille readers, designers preparing signage mock-ups, and anyone curious how a word looks in braille. Capital letters get the capital indicator (dot 6), fully capitalized words get the double capital indicator, and numbers use the numeric indicator (dots 3-4-5-6) followed by the letters a–j, exactly as in UEB.
Grade 1 spells every word letter by letter. Most books, signs and everyday braille in English use Grade 2 (contracted) braille, which adds about 180 contractions and short forms, so this tool is a learning and reference aid rather than a substitute for a certified transcriber. Accessible signage also has physical size and spacing rules that a screen font cannot reproduce.
How to use the braille translator
- 1Type English text, or paste Unicode braille cells.
- 2Leave the direction on automatic, or choose it yourself.
- 3Copy the translation from the result box.
- 4Use the table to see the dot numbers for every symbol.
Formula and method
A braille cell has six dot positions: 1-2-3 down the left column and 4-5-6 down the right. Unicode encodes every combination in the Braille Patterns block starting at U+2800, adding 1 for dot 1, 2 for dot 2, 4 for dot 3, 8 for dot 4, 16 for dot 5 and 32 for dot 6 — so "h" (dots 1-2-5) is U+2800 + 1 + 2 + 16 = U+2813, ⠓.
Following Unified English Braille, a capital letter is preceded by dot 6 (⠠) and a word in all capitals by two of them (⠠⠠). Digits are the letters a–j (1 = a … 9 = i, 0 = j) after the numeric indicator ⠼ (dots 3-4-5-6), which stays in force through a decimal point or comma until a space or other symbol. If a lowercase letter a–j comes straight after a number, the grade 1 indicator ⠰ (dots 5-6) is inserted so it is not read as a digit. Punctuation uses the UEB signs, e.g. period ⠲ (2-5-6), comma ⠂ (2) and question mark ⠦ (2-3-6).
- ⠠
- Capital indicator (dot 6); ⠠⠠ = capitalized word
- ⠼
- Numeric indicator (dots 3-4-5-6)
- ⠰
- Grade 1 indicator (dots 5-6)
Worked examples
A greeting in braille
Each letter becomes one cell (h = ⠓, e = ⠑, l = ⠇, o = ⠕…). The capital H and W each need a capital indicator ⠠ in front, and the exclamation mark is ⠖, so 11 print characters become 13 cells.
Numbers followed by letters
4 is the numeric indicator ⠼ plus d. A lowercase b straight after it would read as the digit 2, so the grade 1 indicator ⠰ goes in front of it. In "3D" the capital indicator ⠠ already ends numeric mode, so no extra sign is needed.
Decoding braille
The input contains only braille cells, so it is decoded. ⠠⠠ capitalizes the whole word SOS, ⠼ switches to numbers so a, i, j, f read as 1, 9, 0, 6, and the final ⠲ is a period.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Grade 1 and Grade 2 braille?+
Grade 1 (uncontracted) braille spells every word letter by letter. Grade 2 (contracted) braille, used in most books and signs, adds contractions and short forms such as ⠮ for "the" and ⠁⠃ for "about" to save space. Learners usually start with Grade 1.
How are numbers written in braille?+
Numbers use the first ten letters: a = 1, b = 2 … i = 9 and j = 0, preceded by the numeric indicator ⠼ (dots 3-4-5-6). So 2026 is ⠼⠃⠚⠃⠋. The indicator stays in effect until a space or a non-numeric symbol.
How do you show capital letters in braille?+
In Unified English Braille a single capital letter is preceded by the capital indicator ⠠ (dot 6). Two capital indicators ⠠⠠ mean the whole word is in capitals, and three mark a capitalized passage of several words.
What is Unified English Braille (UEB)?+
UEB is the braille code adopted by English-speaking countries including the United States (from 2016), the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It replaced English Braille American Edition and unified punctuation and symbols across countries.
Can I print this output for a braille sign?+
Not as real braille. Unicode cells only show the dot pattern on screen; tactile signs must be embossed or made with raised domes at regulated sizes and spacing, and usually in Grade 2. Use a certified transcriber or sign maker for anything official.