# Braille Translator > Translate English to braille and braille back to text in Unified English Braille, with dot numbers for every cell, a name-in-braille maker and printable charts. - Page: https://linguaholic.com/tools/braille-translator/ - Type: free online tool (Converters & translators), no sign-up, runs in the browser - Publisher: Linguaholic (https://linguaholic.com/), made by Marcel Iseli - Last updated: October 3, 2026 - Open it pre-filled: https://linguaholic.com/tools/braille-translator/?text=I+love+you - `text`: text to translate to braille, or braille cells / dot numbers when mode=decode (up to 2,000 characters) (for example `I love you`) - `mode`: encode (text to braille, default) or decode (braille or dot numbers to text) (for example `decode`) - `tab`: which tool opens: translate (default), name, builder or chart (for example `name`) - `name`: name shown in big braille cells (opens the name tab, up to 40 characters) (for example `Ava`) - `dots`: dot numbers of one cell for the dot builder, such as 125 (opens the builder) (for example `125`) ## A braille translator that follows the rules This **braille translator** turns English text into braille and reads braille back into text. It writes **Unified English Braille (UEB)**, the code used in the United States and most other English-speaking countries, in its **uncontracted form (grade 1)**: every letter gets its own cell, with the capital signs, number signs and punctuation the rules call for. Each cell is shown with its dot numbers, so you can check it, copy it by hand or learn from it. For example, [Hello](https://linguaholic.com/tools/braille-translator/?text=Hello) is , which is the capital sign (dot 6) followed by h, e, l, l, o. Every symbol the translator writes was checked against the official rulebook of Unified English Braille. When you type a character it has no confirmed braille for, it leaves that character out and tells you, instead of guessing. Everything runs in your browser; nothing you type is uploaded or saved. ## How to use the braille translator - **Translate:** choose **Text → Braille** and type, or tap an example such as [I love you](https://linguaholic.com/tools/braille-translator/?text=I+love+you). The braille appears as you type. **Copy braille** copies the Unicode braille characters, which you can paste into a message or document; **Copy dot numbers** copies a plain list such as 6 1-2-5 1-5. Open **Each cell with its dot numbers** to see what every cell stands for. - **Braille → Text:** paste braille characters (⠓⠑⠇⠇⠕), or type dot numbers with a space between cells and a slash between words, like 1-2-5 1-5 1-2-3 1-2-3 1-3-5. Both 1-2-5 and 125 work. - **Name in braille:** shows a name or short message in big cells with the letter under each one, ready to print. Turn on **Mirror** if you will press the dots through from the back of the paper. - **Dot builder:** tap the six dots to raise them and see what that cell means: a letter, a digit, a punctuation mark or a sign. Add cells one by one to build a word and read it back. - **Print a chart:** prints the braille alphabet, numbers and punctuation as large dot diagrams, or saves them as a PDF. ## Frequently asked questions **How do I translate English to braille?** Type or paste your text in the Text → Braille box. The translator writes Unified English Braille grade 1 as you type, adds the capital and number signs the rules call for, and shows the dot numbers for every cell. **How do I translate braille back to English?** Choose Braille → Text and paste braille characters, or type dot numbers such as 1-2-5 1-5 with a slash between words. Any cells it cannot read are listed, which usually means the braille is contracted (grade 2). **How many dots are in a braille cell?** Six, in two columns of three. They are numbered 1, 2, 3 down the left and 4, 5, 6 down the right, which gives 64 patterns counting the blank cell. **How are numbers written in braille?** With the numeric indicator ⠼ (dots 3-4-5-6) followed by the letters a to j, which stand for 1 to 9 and 0. One indicator covers the whole number, including its commas and decimal point. **How do you show capital letters in braille?** Dot 6 before a letter makes it a capital. Two dot 6 cells put a whole word in capitals, three start a passage of three or more capitalized words, and the terminator (dots 6, 3) ends it. **What is the difference between grade 1 and grade 2 braille?** Grade 1 (uncontracted) spells every word letter by letter. Grade 2 (contracted) uses contractions, cells that stand for common words and letter groups, such as ⠮ for “the”. This translator writes grade 1. **Can this tool translate grade 2 (contracted) braille?** No. Contractions follow detailed rules about where each one may be used, and a partial version would produce wrong braille. The tool writes and reads uncontracted braille only and lists any cells it cannot read. **How do I write my name in braille?** Open Name in braille and type the name. You get big cells with the letter and dot numbers under each one, ready to print, plus a mirror option for pressing the dots through from the back of the paper. **What is Unified English Braille (UEB)?** UEB is the braille code for English developed by the International Council on English Braille. The United States switched to it in 2016, and this translator follows its rules. **Who invented braille?** Louis Braille, who lost his sight as a young child, developed the six-dot system while he was a student in Paris and published it in 1829. 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