Braille Conversion Chart: Letters, Numbers, Punctuation, Values

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2025/01/07 - Updated: 2025/06/14
Publication Type: Charts, Graphs, Tables
Category Topic: Medical Calculators and Charts - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This article provides a comprehensive and authoritative guide to converting English letters, numbers, and punctuation into Braille, offering detailed charts that include Braille representations alongside HTML Unicode, hexadecimal, and decimal values. Its authority stems from its meticulous detail and clear presentation, grounded in the expertise of its writer, Ian C. Langtree, who has a long-standing commitment to accessibility advocacy. The information is highly useful for educators, developers, and accessibility professionals, as it facilitates the creation of accessible content and supports inclusive education for the visually impaired. For individuals with disabilities, particularly those who are blind or have low vision, the article serves as a practical resource for understanding and utilizing Braille in digital and physical formats, while its clear format also makes it accessible for seniors or caregivers seeking to learn about tactile communication systems - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

This page provides detailed charts that convert English letters, numbers, and punctuation into Braille, along with their HTML Unicode, hexadecimal, and decimal representations including Hex 2800-28FF and Decimal 10240-10495. The conversion charts are useful for educators, developers, and anyone interested in accessibility, providing practical tools for teaching, creating accessible content, or understanding Braille's tactile language system.

Main Content

Explanation of the Braille Charts

• Character: The standard English character or symbol.
• Braille: The Braille representation of the character or symbol.
• HTML Unicode: The Unicode character code in HTML format for web use.
• Hex: The hexadecimal value of the Unicode character.
• Decimal: The decimal value of the Unicode character.

Braille Representation

Each Braille cell is composed of six dots arranged in two columns of three dots each. The Braille characters are formed by raising different combinations of these six dots.

Letters of the alphabet from A to J are represented by the first ten possible combinations of dots 1-5. Letters from K to T use the same pattern but with an additional dot 6. U, V, X, Y, Z, and W have unique patterns to distinguish them.

NOTE: These charts reflect basic Braille usage; additional symbols exist for special characters, contractions, and other uses in Grade 2 Braille or specific formats like music or mathematics Braille. Some Braille patterns might appear identical or similar in this representation because HTML rendering might not perfectly mimic the tactile nature of Braille. For example, 'j' and '0' look the same here, but in actual Braille usage, context would distinguish them. The exact usage might vary depending on the specific Braille code (e.g., Unified English Braille vs. other national variations) and context, particularly in technical or specialized texts.

HTML Conversion Table: Braille to Letters, Numbers, and Punctuation

HTML Table for Braille Conversion to English Numbers

Numbers are indicated by a special "number sign" before the equivalent Braille letters A through J for numbers 1 through 9, with 0 represented by J.

NOTE: Numbers 2-8 are represented by the Braille for B-I respectively, following the number sign.

HTML Table for Braille Conversion to English Punctuation Marks

Braille punctuation marks have their own unique dot patterns.

NOTE: Parentheses and quotation marks are represented by the same signs for both opening and closing, which might differ in some Braille usage contexts.

UTF-8 Braille: Hex 2800 to 28FF and Decimal 10240 to 10495

The Unicode block Braille Patterns (U+2800 - U+28FF) contains all 256 possible patterns of an 8-dot braille cell - including the complete 6-dot cell range.

Possible Uses of the Braille Charts

Education and Learning Braille

For Visually Impaired Individuals: This chart can be used by people learning Braille to understand the tactile representation of letters, numbers, and punctuation.

Educators: Teachers can use this chart to teach Braille to students, whether they are visually impaired or sighted individuals learning Braille for academic or professional purposes.

Accessibility in Digital Content

Web Development: Developers can use the Unicode, hex, and decimal values to include Braille characters in web content, making digital resources accessible to Braille users through screen readers or Braille displays.

Software and Apps: Programmers can incorporate Braille into software to support accessibility features, allowing users to read text in Braille.

Communication and Inclusion

Signage and Labels: Physical Braille signs or labels can be created using this chart to enhance accessibility in public spaces or on products.

Inclusive Education Materials: Books, educational materials, or even restaurant menus can include Braille to make them inclusive.

Historical and Cultural Preservation

Preservation of Braille Texts: Understanding the Braille system helps in preserving and digitizing historical Braille documents for archival or educational purposes.

Research and Development Linguistic Research: Researchers studying language or tactile communication can use the chart to analyze how Braille adapts language for touch-based reading.

Technology for the Visually Impaired: Innovators can use this knowledge to develop new technologies or improve existing ones, like Braille printers or refreshable Braille displays.

Personal or Professional Use

For Family or Friends: Sighted individuals might learn Braille to communicate with visually impaired family members or friends, using this chart as a reference.

Professional Braille Transcription: This chart serves as a quick reference for those who transcribe documents into Braille for various purposes, including legal or educational documents.

By understanding and using this Braille chart, we can foster an environment where information and communication are more accessible to everyone, promoting inclusivity and equity in society.

LEGO Braille Bricks for Blind and Visually Impaired: The Lego Foundation and Lego Group team up with blind associations to pilot Lego Braille Bricks to aid blind and visually impaired to learn through play using LEGO bricks.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.