BYTETOOLS

Braille Translator

Translate text to Grade 1 Unicode Braille and back. Letters, numbers and punctuation with proper number and capital signs — free and offline.

What is the Braille Translator?

The Braille Translator converts text to uncontracted (Grade 1) Braille using the Unicode Braille patterns U+2800–U+283F, and translates Braille back to text.

  • Grade 1 (uncontracted) letter-by-letter translation
  • Number sign ⠼ and capital sign ⠠ handled correctly
  • Common punctuation: . , ; : ? ! ' - and quotes
  • Real Unicode Braille output you can paste anywhere
  • Bidirectional and fully offline

How to use the Braille Translator

  1. 1

    Choose the direction: text to Braille, or Braille to text.

  2. 2

    Type or paste your input.

  3. 3

    Read the translation, which updates as you type.

  4. 4

    Copy the Braille (or decoded text) or download it.

About the Braille Translator

The Braille Translator converts text to uncontracted (Grade 1) Braille using the Unicode Braille patterns U+2800–U+283F, and translates Braille back to text. It follows the standard conventions: a number sign ⠼ switches the cells a–j to digits 1–0, and a capital sign ⠠ marks uppercase letters.

It is useful for students learning Braille, teachers preparing materials, designers checking signage text, and anyone curious what a word looks like in Braille cells. Because the output is real Unicode, you can copy it into documents, messages and design files anywhere Braille glyphs are supported.

Note that this is uncontracted Grade 1 Braille — the letter-by-letter system. Published English Braille (UEB Grade 2) adds hundreds of contractions that this tool intentionally does not apply. Translation happens 100% locally in your browser; nothing is uploaded.

Frequently asked questions

How are numbers written in Braille?

Braille reuses the letter cells a–j for digits 1–0, preceded by the number sign ⠼. So 2026 is written ⠼⠃⠚⠃⠋ — one number sign, then the cells for b, j, b, f. This tool inserts and reads the number sign automatically.

How does Braille show capital letters?

A capital sign (dot 6, ⠠) is placed before a letter to capitalise it. This tool adds it when translating capital letters to Braille and applies it when decoding Braille back to text.

Is this Grade 1 or Grade 2 Braille?

Grade 1 — every letter is translated individually. Grade 2 (used in most published English Braille) adds contractions like a single cell for “and” or “the”. Contracted Braille has many context rules, so treat this output as educational rather than publication-ready.

Can I copy the Braille output into other apps?

Yes. The output uses the Unicode Braille Patterns block, so it pastes anywhere Unicode works — documents, chats, social posts — as long as the destination font includes Braille glyphs.

Does the tool work offline?

Yes. The mapping between letters and Braille cells is built into the page and runs in your browser, so nothing is sent to any server.

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