Is input text or braille data sent to any server?

No, nothing is transmitted. All translation and image generation processes run entirely within your web browser using client-side JavaScript. Private text and personal notes remain confidential on your device and are never sent or stored externally.

Can I translate mixed Kanji and Kana text directly into braille?

Automatic conversion from Kanji is not supported. Japanese braille represents phonetic sounds rather than ideographic characters, so please enter the phonetic reading in Hiragana or Katakana. Please also insert spaces between words for proper word spacing.

Why isn't the particle 'wa' (written as は) automatically changed to 'wa' (ワ)?

In Japanese braille orthography, grammatical particles は and へ are written phonetically as wa and e, but when they form part of a word (like haha or heta) they are kept as ha and he. Because this tool does not perform grammatical context analysis, it displays a phonetic warning instead of automatic replacement.

How should prolonged vowel sounds like 'う' in 'がっこう' be entered?

In Japanese braille rules, elongated vowel sounds in the U-row and O-row that are spelled with 'う' in kana are written using the long vowel mark 'ー' (e.g. がっこー, とーきょー). However, when 'う' is a verb inflection ending (e.g. おもう), it is written as 'ウ' instead of a long vowel mark.

Why is a continuation indicator inserted after numbers?

In Japanese braille, digits share the exact same dot patterns as kana in the A-row and Ra-row (e.g. 1 and ア, 2 and イ, 5 and ラ). When digits are directly followed by kana from these rows, a continuation indicator (dots 3-6) is inserted to distinguish where numbers end and kana begins.

Does the English braille feature support Grade 2 (contracted braille)?

This tool supports Grade 1 (uncontracted) only, which translates text character by character. Contracted braille (Grade 2) is not supported. Entering contracted braille into the reverse translation input will result in misreadings and unexpected characters.

Why do the same braille patterns represent different characters in Japanese and English?

In the Unicode standard, braille characters (U+2800–U+28FF) define only physical dot arrangements, and linguistic assignments are established independently by each language system. For example, dot 1 (⠁) represents the vowel 'a' (ア) in Japanese braille and the letter 'a' in English braille.

Are the dimensions of the braille image compliant with official standards?

The default dimensions in this tool are reference values for display and layout planning, not certified official standards. While a preset within the ranges of Table 703.3.1 of US ADA Standards is provided, Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) dimensions are outside the scope of this tool. When maximum cells per line is specified, line breaks occur strictly at the cell limit even mid-word. Print at 100% scale for actual dimensions.

Why does the reverse translation sometimes differ from the original text?

Braille relies heavily on surrounding context and prefix indicators because identical dot patterns have multiple meanings. For example, dot 3 (⠄) represents both kana 'wa' and the numeric comma, while dot 2 (⠂) represents small 'tsu' and the decimal point. Japanese comma and foreign letter indicator (both ⠰), as well as closing quotes and continuation indicator (both ⠤), are also homographs sharing identical dot patterns. Reverse translation should be used as a guide.

⠿

braille translator,

Braille Translator

Translate English text to braille (Unified English Braille, Grade 1 uncontracted) and braille back to text. Capitals, numbers and punctuation supported. Copy Unicode braille or download an SVG/PNG braille image. Runs in your browser.

⠝

Instant Japanese & English Braille Translation

Supports two-way conversion between text and braille for Japanese Nippon Braille and UEB Grade 1.

🖼️

SVG & PNG Braille Image Creation

Save braille images with customizable millimeter dimensions and US ADA standard range presets.

🔒

Browser-Based & Completely Free

Runs entirely within your web browser; input text is never transmitted to any external server.

This tool only supports two braille systems: Japanese kana (Nippon Braille) and English (Unified English Braille, Grade 1 uncontracted).

Braille System

Japanese (Nippon Braille) English (UEB Grade 1)

Direction

Text → Braille Braille → Text

Input Text

Characters: 0

Result

Font Size:

Copied!

Braille Image Settings & Download (SVG / PNG) ▼

Dimension Preset:

Dot Diameter (mm) Dot Spacing in Cell (mm) Cell Spacing (mm) Line Spacing (mm) Margin (mm) Max Cells per Line

Show empty dot positions faintly PNG Resolution (DPI):

Note: US ADA 703.3 requires Grade 2 contracted braille for signage. Output from this tool does not meet ADA signage requirements. Screen images and printouts do not have raised tactile dots.

Note: To print at actual scale, set printer scale to 100%. Line breaks occur strictly at the specified cell limit, even mid-word.

Text is not sent to any server (processed securely in browser)

This tool is an automated conversion tool based on basic braille orthography rules and does not fully support all contextual judgments (such as kanji reading distinctions, advanced spacing, idiomatic expressions, special sounds, or specialized symbols). When producing or printing braille for public signage, distributed materials, or product packaging, always have it reviewed and verified by a braille transcription specialist or a braille reader. In addition, screen displays and standard printer outputs are flat surfaces and do not produce tactile raised dots.

about,

About

The **Braille Translator** is a free online tool to convert text into Unicode braille characters (U+2800–U+283F) and decode braille back into text in real time. It is based on the rules of Japanese Braille (Nippon Braille) established by the Japan Braille Committee and Unified English Braille (UEB) Grade 1 (uncontracted) established by the International Council on English Braille (ICEB), supporting basic letters, numbers, and symbols.

In addition to two-way conversion, this tool includes a reverse translation feature to restore Japanese kana or English text from braille strings. It also features a **braille image generator and downloader (SVG / PNG)** with customizable dot diameter, cell spacing, and line spacing in millimeters, including dimension presets based on US ADA Standards 703.3.1.

This tool can be widely used for braille learning in education, preparing accessibility materials, braille layout planning, and preliminary design verification. All conversion and image rendering processes run entirely within your web browser, ensuring that personal text or messages are never transmitted to an external server.

how to,

How to Use

STEP 1

Select System and Direction

Choose either 'Japanese (Nippon Braille)' or 'English (UEB Grade 1 uncontracted)', and specify the translation direction: 'Text → Braille' or 'Braille → Text'.

STEP 2

Enter Text or Braille

Type Japanese kana, English letters, numbers, and symbols, or enter Unicode braille characters (U+2800–U+283F). The translation result updates in real time as you type.

STEP 3

Copy Result or Download Image

Copy the converted Unicode braille to your clipboard with one click, or save scalable vector SVG and high-resolution PNG braille images with specified millimeter dimensions.

glossary,

Glossary

Cell (Braille Cell): The basic unit of braille, consisting of 6 dots arranged in 2 columns and 3 rows. The left column contains dots 1, 2, and 3 from top to bottom, while the right column contains dots 4, 5, and 6. By combining these 6 raised dots, a single cell can represent up to 64 distinct patterns, including a blank space.
Japanese Braille (Nippon Braille): The braille system for Japanese adopted on November 1, 1890, based on Ishikawa Kuraji's proposal. It systematically combines vowels (dots 1, 2, 4) and consonants (dots 3, 5, 6), using prefix indicators for voiced, semi-voiced, and contracted sounds to represent the complete kana syllabary and symbols.
Unified English Braille (UEB): The rules for English braille established by the International Council on English Braille (ICEB) to standardize braille codes across English-speaking countries. It governs the representation of the alphabet, numbers, capital indicators, and punctuation marks.
Grade 1 (Uncontracted) and Grade 2 (Contracted): The two main methods of writing English braille. Grade 1 directly transcribes letters and symbols one-to-one without contractions, making it ideal for beginner learners. Grade 2 uses standardized contractions and short-form words to reduce document volume.
Numeric Indicator (Number Sign): A prefix sign (dots 3-4-5-6, ⠼) indicating that the immediately following cells represent digits (1–9, 0). Because braille digits share the same dot patterns as letters a–j and Japanese vowels (A-row) and Ra-row kana, the numeric indicator is placed in front to prevent misreading.
Foreign Letter Indicator: A prefix sign (dots 5-6, ⠰) used in Japanese braille to indicate the start of Latin alphabet letters. It is placed before English letters, and can be combined with capital indicators (dot 6) or double capital indicators (dots 6-6) for capitalized text.
Continuation Indicator (Hyphen): A sign (dots 3-6, ⠤) inserted in Japanese braille when digits are immediately followed by kana from the A-row or Ra-row, or when Latin letters are followed by kana. It clearly marks the boundary between numbers/letters and kana to eliminate reading ambiguity.
Wakachigaki (Word Spacing): The rule of leaving one blank cell between independent words and phrases in braille. Because braille is written entirely phonetically without visual kanji distinctions, word spacing is essential for accurate reading comprehension.
Unicode Braille Patterns (U+2800–U+28FF): The character block in the Unicode standard defining 256 braille patterns (U+2800–U+28FF) covering 6-dot (64 patterns) and 8-dot (256 patterns) systems. The code point for each cell is determined by the bit sum of dot 1 (1), dot 2 (2), dot 3 (4), dot 4 (8), dot 5 (16), and dot 6 (32). In this tool, input and output conversion handles the standard 6-dot braille range U+2800–U+283F (64 patterns).
US ADA Standards 703.3: The braille specification defined in Section 703.3 of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. It defines physical dot dimensions (dot diameter 1.5–1.6 mm, cell dot spacing 2.3–2.5 mm, etc.) and specifies that “Braille shall be contracted (Grade 2)”.

faq,

FAQ

Q.Is input text or braille data sent to any server?: No, nothing is transmitted. All translation and image generation processes run entirely within your web browser using client-side JavaScript. Private text and personal notes remain confidential on your device and are never sent or stored externally.
Q.Can I translate mixed Kanji and Kana text directly into braille?: Automatic conversion from Kanji is not supported. Japanese braille represents phonetic sounds rather than ideographic characters, so please enter the phonetic reading in Hiragana or Katakana. Please also insert spaces between words for proper word spacing.
Q.Why isn't the particle 'wa' (written as は) automatically changed to 'wa' (ワ)?: In Japanese braille orthography, grammatical particles は and へ are written phonetically as wa and e, but when they form part of a word (like haha or heta) they are kept as ha and he. Because this tool does not perform grammatical context analysis, it displays a phonetic warning instead of automatic replacement.
Q.How should prolonged vowel sounds like 'う' in 'がっこう' be entered?: In Japanese braille rules, elongated vowel sounds in the U-row and O-row that are spelled with 'う' in kana are written using the long vowel mark 'ー' (e.g. がっこー, とーきょー). However, when 'う' is a verb inflection ending (e.g. おもう), it is written as 'ウ' instead of a long vowel mark.
Q.Why is a continuation indicator inserted after numbers?: In Japanese braille, digits share the exact same dot patterns as kana in the A-row and Ra-row (e.g. 1 and ア, 2 and イ, 5 and ラ). When digits are directly followed by kana from these rows, a continuation indicator (dots 3-6) is inserted to distinguish where numbers end and kana begins.
Q.Does the English braille feature support Grade 2 (contracted braille)?: This tool supports Grade 1 (uncontracted) only, which translates text character by character. Contracted braille (Grade 2) is not supported. Entering contracted braille into the reverse translation input will result in misreadings and unexpected characters.
Q.Can generated braille images be used for official signs under US ADA standards?: Section 703.3 of the US ADA Standards specifies that “Braille shall be contracted (Grade 2)”, so Grade 1 output from this tool does not meet ADA signage requirements. Furthermore, screen displays and standard printer paper are flat and do not produce tactile raised dots.
Q.Why do the same braille patterns represent different characters in Japanese and English?: In the Unicode standard, braille characters (U+2800–U+28FF) define only physical dot arrangements, and linguistic assignments are established independently by each language system. For example, dot 1 (⠁) represents the vowel 'a' (ア) in Japanese braille and the letter 'a' in English braille.
Q.Are the dimensions of the braille image compliant with official standards?: The default dimensions in this tool are reference values for display and layout planning, not certified official standards. While a preset within the ranges of Table 703.3.1 of US ADA Standards is provided, Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) dimensions are outside the scope of this tool. When maximum cells per line is specified, line breaks occur strictly at the cell limit even mid-word. Print at 100% scale for actual dimensions.
Q.Why does the reverse translation sometimes differ from the original text?: Braille relies heavily on surrounding context and prefix indicators because identical dot patterns have multiple meanings. For example, dot 3 (⠄) represents both kana 'wa' and the numeric comma, while dot 2 (⠂) represents small 'tsu' and the decimal point. Japanese comma and foreign letter indicator (both ⠰), as well as closing quotes and continuation indicator (both ⠤), are also homographs sharing identical dot patterns. Reverse translation should be used as a guide.

use cases,

Use Cases

🏫

School Education and Accessibility Learning

Used as learning materials in elementary and junior high schools to discover how names and everyday words are written in braille.

📐

Braille Layout and Space Planning

Helps designers and planners estimate character counts, required cell quantities, line numbers, and physical area for braille on print materials and packaging.

🔤

Basic Learning of Unified English Braille (UEB)

Enables learners to visually study the rules for English UEB Grade 1 letters, capital indicators, and number signs through clear examples.

🔍

Braille Basics and Character Structure Study

Useful for educational purposes to visually understand the logical structure of braille, such as vowel dot combinations (dots 1, 2, 4) and consonant dot combinations (dots 3, 5, 6), as well as prefix signs for voiced and contracted sounds.

tech,

Technical Specs

Referenced Primary Sources

Japan Braille Committee: 'Let's Read Braille!' (2008, rev. 2025): Basis for character dot assignments of Japanese syllabary, voiced/semi-voiced sounds, contractions, digits, alphabet, and basic symbols.
https://www.braille.jp/_files/00009560/A42025.pdf
Japan Braille Committee: 'Japanese Braille Orthography 2018' (rev. July 15, 2023): Basis for UEB adoption in English notation and symbol differentiation rules.
https://www.braille.jp/_files/00007443/hyokiho_uebkanren.pdf
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT): 'Braille Learning Guide' (2023): Basis for numeric comma, decimal point, continuation indicator, foreign letter indicator, capitalizer, punctuation, and word spacing rules.
https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/shotou/tokubetu/material/1340250_00010.htm
ICEB: 'The Rules of Unified English Braille' Third Edition 2024: Basis for Unified English Braille Grade 1, numeric mode, capitalisation rules, and punctuation symbols.
https://iceb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Rules-of-Unified-English-Braille-2024.pdf
Unicode Standard 16.0 Chapter 21: 'Braille Patterns': Definition of 6-dot braille bit allocation (U+2800 to U+283F).
https://www.unicode.org/versions/Unicode16.0.0/core-spec/chapter-21/
US 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design 703.3: Reference dimensions for tactile braille signage (dot diameter 1.5–1.6 mm, cell dot spacing 2.3–2.5 mm, etc.).
https://www.access-board.gov/ada/chapter/ch07/

Important Safety Notice

Note: This tool does not claim formal compliance with official standards (such as JIS T 0921 or US ADA specifications). Furthermore, screen displays and standard printouts are flat and do not produce tactile raised dots. For public signs or physical products, always obtain tactile review from braille transcribers or braille readers.