Translate English to braille and back
This braille translator converts English text into Grade 1 (uncontracted) braille using Unicode braille characters — ab 1 becomes ⠁⠃⠀⠼⠁ — with the capital sign, the capital-word sign and the number sign added where Unified English Braille (UEB) needs them. It also translates braille cells back into text and draws every cell with its dot numbers.
Teachers and parents introducing braille, sighted friends and relatives of braille readers, students on special-education courses, designers checking signage text and puzzle makers use it to see how words are built from the six-dot cell. A printable sheet shows each cell as large dots with the letter underneath, at A4 or US Letter size.
Grade 2 contractions are not applied — see the note below — and everything runs in your browser.
How to use the Braille Translator
- Type or paste text into Text. The Unicode braille appears on the right as you type.
- Look at Cells and dot numbers to see each cell drawn as a 2 × 3 grid with its dot numbers (1–3 down the left, 4–6 down the right).
- Press Copy to paste the braille into a document or message; the Unicode characters display in most fonts.
- To read braille, choose Braille → text and paste Unicode braille cells, or press Translate back.
- Open Printable dot-cell sheet, choose paper, orientation and cell size, then Print sheet, Download PDF or Download PNG.
Braille Translator features
Grade 1 UEB symbols
Letters a–z, the number sign ⠼ with a–j for digits, the capital sign ⠠ and capital-word sign ⠠⠠, the grade-1 sign ⠰ after numbers, and common punctuation.
Two-way translation
Text to braille and braille to text, including numbers with decimal points and capitalised words.
Dot diagrams
Every cell is drawn with raised and empty dots plus its dot numbers, which is how braille is taught.
Printable sheet
Vector dot cells on A4 or US Letter in three sizes, with optional print letters under each cell, as print, PDF or PNG.
Honest limits
Characters with no Grade 1 equivalent are listed, and accented letters are reduced to their base letter with a warning.
The braille alphabet and indicators
The first ten letters, a–j, use only the top four dots. The next ten, k–t, add dot 3, and u, v, x, y and z add dots 3 and 6. Digits reuse a–j after the number sign, which is why a letter a–j straight after a number needs the grade-1 sign ⠰.
| Character | Braille | Dots |
|---|---|---|
| a / 1 | ⠁ | 1 |
| b / 2 | ⠃ | 1-2 |
| c / 3 | ⠉ | 1-4 |
| d / 4 | ⠙ | 1-4-5 |
| e / 5 | ⠑ | 1-5 |
| k | ⠅ | 1-3 (a + dot 3) |
| u | ⠥ | 1-3-6 (a + dots 3 and 6) |
| w | ⠺ | 2-4-5-6 (an exception: w was added later) |
| Capital sign | ⠠ | 6 |
| Number sign | ⠼ | 3-4-5-6 |
| Full stop | ⠲ | 2-5-6 |
| Comma | ⠂ | 2 |
Grade 1 versus Grade 2 braille
Grade 1 braille spells every letter. Grade 2 (contracted) braille, which most adult readers use and which UEB defines for English, replaces common words and letter groups with shorter signs: “and”, “the”, “for”, “with” and endings like “-ing” each take a single cell. Grade 2 makes books about a quarter shorter but follows detailed rules about where contractions may be used.
This tool does not apply Grade 2 contractions, so its output is longer than published braille and is best for learning, labels for beginners and checking letters. For official documents, signs or books for braille readers, ask a qualified transcriber or use dedicated braille translation software.
- Unicode braille is a text font, not embossing: to feel it, the text must go to a braille embosser or display.
- Related: spell letters for the ear with the NATO Phonetic Alphabet, for the hands with the Fingerspelling Translator, or in dots and dashes with the Morse Code Translator.
Braille Translator FAQ
How do I translate text to braille?
Type your text into the braille translator and copy the Unicode braille it produces. Capitals and numbers get their indicators automatically.
Is this Grade 1 or Grade 2 braille?
Grade 1 (uncontracted). Grade 2 contractions are not applied, so check with a braille professional before producing material for experienced readers.
Can I translate braille back into English?
Yes. Choose Braille → text and paste Unicode braille characters (U+2800–U+28FF). Contracted Grade 2 braille will not decode correctly.
Why does a number have ⠼ in front of it?
Digits share their cells with the letters a–j. The number sign ⠼ tells the reader that the following cells are digits until a space or a letter sign.
Can I print braille that blind people can read?
A normal printer prints flat ink dots, which are useful for sighted learners. Tactile braille needs an embosser, swell paper or a refreshable braille display.
Is my text sent anywhere?
No. Translation and drawing happen in your browser.