Braille Conversion Chart: Letters, Numbers, Punctuation

Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 7 Jan 2025 - Updated: 29 Aug 2026
Publication Type: Charts, Graphs, Tables

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

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.

At a Glance

• 1 - Each Braille cell uses six dots set in two columns of three. Different raised dot combinations form every letter, number, and mark.
• 2 - Letters A to J use the first ten combinations of dots 1 to 5, while K to T repeat that pattern with an added dot 6. U, V, X, Y, Z, and W carry unique arrangements to set them apart.
• 3 - Numbers are shown by placing a number sign before the Braille letters A through J, so 1 through 9 map to A through I and 0 maps to J. This signals that the following cells stand for digits rather than letters.
• 4 - The Unicode Braille Patterns block spans U+2800 to U+28FF, covering all 256 possible eight-dot cell patterns. This range includes the complete six-dot cell set used for standard reading and writing.

Topic Definition

Braille

Braille, named after its creator, Louis Braille, a Frenchman who lost his sight as a result of a childhood accident, is a tactile writing system used by people who are visually impaired, including people who are blind, deafblind or who have low vision. It can be read either on embossed paper or by using refreshable braille displays that connect to computers and smartphone devices. Braille can be written using a slate and stylus, a braille writer, an electronic braille notetaker or with the use of a computer connected to a braille embosser. Today, there are braille codes for over 133 languages.

Overview

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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who invented Braille and when

Braille was created in the 1820s by Louis Braille, a Frenchman who lost his sight in a childhood accident and developed the system as a young student in France.

What is the difference between Grade 1 and Grade 2 Braille

Grade 1 Braille spells out every word letter by letter, while Grade 2 Braille adds contractions and shorthand symbols that shorten common words and letter groups to save space and speed reading.

Is Braille the same in every language

No, Braille is adapted for over 133 languages, and while the six-dot cell stays constant, the dot patterns, contractions, and rules vary between national codes such as Unified English Braille and other regional standards.

What is a refreshable Braille display

A refreshable Braille display is an electronic device that connects to a computer or smartphone and raises and lowers small pins to form Braille cells, letting users read on-screen text by touch in real time.

How do you type Braille

Braille can be produced with a slate and stylus, a mechanical Braille writer, an electronic Braille notetaker, or a computer connected to a Braille embosser that presses raised dots onto paper.

Can sighted people learn Braille

Yes, sighted teachers, parents, transcribers, and friends often learn Braille visually using conversion charts so they can create materials for or communicate with visually impaired individuals.

Why do some Braille characters look identical in HTML

Some patterns appear the same on screen because HTML rendering cannot fully reproduce the tactile nature of Braille, and in real use context distinguishes characters such as the letter j and the number 0.

How are Braille characters added to websites

Developers add Braille characters to web pages using the Unicode Braille Patterns block, referencing the HTML Unicode, hexadecimal, or decimal values so screen readers and Braille displays can present the content.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: This information concludes with an editorial note emphasizing its role as more than a chart: it's a bridge connecting sighted and visually impaired communities through practical, technical clarity. By supplying accurate conversion tables alongside digital encoding details, it supports inclusive communication design, empowers learners and professionals alike, and fosters broader understanding of Braille's structure and application. The enduring relevance of Braille in an increasingly digital world underscores the importance of resources like this article, which bridge traditional tactile systems with modern technology. By offering a clear, detailed conversion guide, it not only aids those directly engaging with Braille but also encourages broader societal efforts toward accessibility. As we navigate a landscape where inclusivity is paramount, such tools remind us that small, precise efforts - like ensuring every letter and number is tactilely accessible - can profoundly impact the independence and connectivity of visually impaired individuals, fostering a more equitable world.

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.