Braille Translator

Braille represents each character with a cell of six dots in two columns of three. Sixty-four patterns are possible, and Unified English Braille (UEB), the standard for English across most of the English-speaking world, assigns letters, numbers and punctuation to them. This tool translates English text into UEB grade 1 using Unicode braille characters, shows the dot patterns, and reads braille back into text.

The braille cell

Dots are numbered 1–2–3 down the left column and 4–5–6 down the right. A is dot 1, B is dots 1 and 2, C is dots 1 and 4, and so on. The letters k to t repeat a to j with dot 3 added, and u, v, x, y and z add dots 3 and 6. W is the exception, added later because the French system it came from had no w. The panel under the result draws each cell, and the dot-number view writes cells as numbers such as 1-2-5 for h, which helps when learning or checking a slate-and-stylus exercise.

Capitals, numbers and indicators

Braille has no separate capital letters. A capital sign (dot 6) goes before a capital letter, and two capital signs mark a whole word in capitals. Digits use the cells for a–j after a number sign (dots 3-4-5-6), so 2026 becomes ⠼⠃⠚⠃⠋. When a letter from a to j follows directly after a number, as in 3a, the grade 1 indicator ⠰ shows that it is a letter again. The tool inserts all of these automatically.

Grade 1 versus grade 2

This tool writes grade 1, also called uncontracted braille, where every letter is spelled out. Most English books, signs and documents use grade 2, which adds about 180 contractions and short forms, such as single cells for “and”, “the” and “with”. Grade 1 is what beginners learn first and what is used for spelling, labels and some teaching material. For documents that blind readers will rely on, use a qualified braille transcriber or dedicated software that produces grade 2.

Reading braille back

Switch to “Braille → text” and paste Unicode braille. Capital and number signs are applied, and the question mark and opening quotation mark, which share a cell in UEB, are told apart by position. Contractions are not expanded, so grade 2 text will come out partly as letters that do not form words.

Tactile output

Braille on a screen or printed in ink cannot be felt. Readable braille needs raised dots from an embosser, swell paper or a label maker. Use the output to learn, to design, or as input for those devices, and check accented letters, which grade 1 English writes as the plain letter here.

Private

Translation happens in your browser; nothing is uploaded.

A worked example

“Room 204” becomes ⠠⠗⠕⠕⠍⠀⠼⠃⠚⠙. The first cell ⠠ is the capital sign for R, the next four cells spell room, ⠀ is the space, ⠼ is the number sign, and ⠃⠚⠙ are the cells for b, j and d, read as the digits 2, 0 and 4 after the number sign. With dot numbers switched on, the same output reads 6 1235 135 135 134 · 3456 12 245 145, which is how braille teachers often write cells on a whiteboard.

Related tools

Spell words for listeners with the Phonetic Alphabet Translator, translate into dots and dashes with the Morse Code Translator, or listen to a text with Text to Speech.