Braille Standards for English: UEB & BANA

English-language Braille follows Unified English Braille (UEB), the code adopted across the English-speaking world and used in the United States since January 2016. In North America it is maintained by the Braille Authority of North America (BANA), which publishes the rules for literary Braille, contractions, symbols and formatting.

What UEB defines

UEB gives one consistent code for letters, numbers, punctuation, and technical symbols, replacing the older separate codes. It specifies the number sign, the capital indicator, the full set of Grade 2 contractions, and how to render everyday material such as email addresses, currency and web links.

Grade 1 vs Grade 2

Grade 1 (uncontracted) Braille spells every letter and is best for learners and for checking. Grade 2 (contracted) Braille uses about 180 signs to shorten common words and letter groups. Our Grade 2 contractions list covers these in full.

How our translator follows the standard

The translator on this site produces accurate Grade 1 UEB letter-by-letter, with the number sign and optional capital indicator. For contracted Grade 2 embossing intended for print, we recommend a certified transcriber, because layout and contraction rules go beyond a character map. See the alphabet, numbers and printable chart.

Authoritative sources

For the official rules, consult BANA (the Braille Authority of North America) and the International Council on English Braille (ICEB), which maintains UEB internationally. These bodies publish the definitive rulebooks that transcribers and educators use.