Braille Text Converter
Convert any text to Braille instantly. Free tool for learning, accessibility, and printing.
Braille Output
Dot Pattern
Character Breakdown
How Braille Text Conversion Works
Braille is a tactile writing system used by people who are blind or visually impaired. It consists of patterns of raised dots arranged in cells of up to six dots. Our converter translates standard text into Braille using precise mathematical mapping.
The Braille Conversion Formula
Each Braille cell represents a character using a 2×3 dot matrix. The conversion follows this pattern:
Where dots are numbered:
Grade 1 Braille translates each character directly. Grade 2 uses contractions and abbreviations to save space, making reading faster for experienced users.
Braille Grade Differences
Grade 1 Braille (Uncontracted)
Grade 1 is the simplest form, with one Braille cell for each printed character. This includes all letters, numbers, and punctuation marks.
Best Uses for Grade 1:
- Learning Braille as a beginner
- Technical documents with many symbols
- Signage and labels
- When exact character representation is needed
Grade 2 Braille (Contracted)
Grade 2 uses about 189 contractions to represent common words and letter combinations. This makes texts about 25% shorter.
Common Grade 2 Contractions:
- and = ⠯
- for = ⠿
- the = ⠷
- with = ⠾
- ch = ⠡
- sh = ⠩
- th = ⠹
Common Braille Conversion Questions
Who uses Braille converters?
Multiple groups benefit from Braille conversion tools:
- Teachers and students learning Braille in schools
- Family members of blind or visually impaired individuals
- Businesses creating accessible documents
- Libraries and museums producing tactile exhibits
- Designers working on inclusive products
- Individuals learning Braille for personal use
What can you convert to Braille?
Our converter handles:
- All English alphabet letters (A-Z)
- Numbers 0-9 with number prefix
- Common punctuation marks
- Basic symbols ($, %, &, etc.)
- Accented characters for other languages
Limitations to Note:
Complex formatting, mathematical equations, and advanced symbols may require specialized Braille codes. Music Braille and scientific notation use different systems.
When should you use Grade 1 vs Grade 2?
Choose based on your audience and purpose:
- Grade 1: Beginners, signage, technical documents
- Grade 2: Experienced readers, books, personal correspondence
- Mixed: Educational materials often start with Grade 1 and introduce Grade 2 gradually
Where is Braille used today?
Braille appears in many everyday locations:
- Elevator buttons and room numbers
- Medicine packaging and labels
- Restaurant menus (in some locations)
- ATM keypads and public kiosks
- Books, magazines, and educational materials
- Personal notes and labeling systems
Why learn or use Braille in the digital age?
Despite screen readers and audio technology, Braille remains important because:
- It provides direct access to spelling and punctuation
- Works without electricity or batteries
- Enhances literacy and comprehension skills
- Useful in noisy environments where audio isn’t practical
- Provides privacy for personal reading
How accurate is automated Braille conversion?
Our converter uses standardized Braille tables approved by international organizations. For Grade 2 Braille, we follow the Unified English Braille (UEB) standard, which is used in most English-speaking countries.
Braille Character Reference Table
This table shows common characters and their Braille equivalents for quick reference:
| Character | Braille (Unicode) | Dot Pattern | Grade 1 Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| A, a | ⠁ | ●○○○○○ | ⠁ (dot 1) |
| B, b | ⠃ | ●●○○○○ | ⠃ (dots 1-2) |
| C, c | ⠉ | ●○●○○○ | ⠉ (dots 1-4) |
| D, d | ⠙ | ●○○●○○ | ⠙ (dots 1-4-5) |
| E, e | ⠑ | ●○○○●○ | ⠑ (dots 1-5) |
| Space | ⠀ | ○○○○○○ | ⠀ (no dots) |
| Period (.) | ⠲ | ○○●●●○ | ⠲ (dots 2-5-6) |
| Comma (,) | ⠂ | ○○●●○○ | ⠂ (dots 2) |
Braille Numbers and Formatting
Number Representation
Braille uses the same symbols for letters A-J to represent numbers 1-9 and 0, preceded by a number sign (⠼).
Number Examples:
- ⠼⠁ = 1 (a with number prefix)
- ⠼⠃ = 2 (b with number prefix)
- ⠼⠚ = 0 (j with number prefix)
- ⠼⠁⠃⠉ = 123
Capitalization in Braille
Capital letters are indicated with a capital sign (⠠) before the letter. Two capital signs (⠠⠠) indicate that the entire next word is capitalized.
Capitalization Examples:
- ⠠⠁ = A (capital A)
- ⠠⠓⠑⠇⠇⠕ = Hello
- ⠠⠠⠥⠎⠁ = USA (all caps)
Common Braille Conversion Mistakes
Avoid These Common Errors
When converting text to Braille, watch out for these frequent mistakes:
1. Forgetting the Number Sign
Numbers must always be preceded by the number sign (⠼). Without it, “123” reads as “abc”.
2. Incorrect Grade Selection
Using Grade 2 for technical terms or proper names can create confusion. Grade 1 is safer for unfamiliar words.
3. Ignoring Contraction Rules
Grade 2 Braille has specific rules about when contractions can be used. For example, “and” only contracts when it’s a separate word, not part of “sand”.
4. Space Placement Errors
Braille requires proper spacing. Too little space makes reading difficult; too much wastes valuable space on Braille paper.
5. Punctuation Confusion
Some punctuation marks have different Braille symbols in different contexts. The period (.) is different from the decimal point in numbers.
Practical Braille Applications
Creating Accessible Documents
Businesses and organizations can use this converter to:
- Create Braille menus for restaurants
- Produce accessible product packaging
- Make event programs readable for all attendees
- Create tactile maps and signage
- Develop educational materials for inclusive classrooms
Personal Use Cases
Individuals find this tool helpful for:
- Labeling household items (spices, clothing, medications)
- Creating personal notes and reminders
- Learning Braille through practice exercises
- Making greeting cards accessible
- Preparing materials for Braille literacy tutoring
Pro Tip for Printing
When printing Braille for tactile use, consider these factors:
- Use heavyweight paper (at least 120gsm)
- Consider specialized Braille embossers for raised dots
- Allow extra space for binding if creating books
- Test readability with actual Braille users when possible
- Follow standard Braille page dimensions (11.5×11 inches)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Braille converter free?
Yes, completely free with no registration required. You can convert unlimited text without any cost.
What languages does it support?
Currently optimized for English. Basic accented characters for European languages are supported, but full language-specific Braille codes may require specialized tools.
Can I convert Braille back to text?
This tool currently converts text to Braille only. Reverse conversion requires specialized software that interprets Braille images or input.
How accurate is the Grade 2 conversion?
Our Grade 2 conversion follows Unified English Braille standards. However, for critical documents, professional proofreading by a certified Braille transcriber is recommended.
Can I save my Braille conversions?
Use the “Download PDF” feature to save conversions. For repeated use, bookmark the page with your text pre-filled in the URL.
Is there a character limit?
Yes, 1000 characters per conversion for performance reasons. For longer texts, convert in sections.
Does it work on mobile devices?
Yes, fully responsive and optimized for mobile use. The Braille display adjusts to different screen sizes.
Final Braille Conversion Tips
Quality Checklist
Before using converted Braille for important purposes:
- Double-check Grade selection matches your audience
- Verify proper number and capital signs are included
- Test with a sample reader if possible
- Consider professional transcription for official documents
- Save multiple formats (Unicode and dot patterns) for reference
Remember that Braille isn’t just a code. It’s a vital literacy tool for blind and visually impaired individuals. Accurate conversion respects the importance of this writing system and the people who depend on it daily.
This tool aims to make Braille more accessible to everyone, whether you’re learning, teaching, or creating inclusive materials. Always consider the end user’s needs and preferences when preparing Braille documents.