Braille Punctuation: Complete Guide to Punctuation Marks in Braille (RU)
Complete braille punctuation reference chart. Learn how periods, commas, question marks, quotation marks, and all symbols are written in UEB braille.
By Braille Translator Team
How Braille Punctuation Works (RU)
Braille punctuation uses the same 6-dot cell system as braille letters, but punctuation marks are formed using the lower dots (dots 2, 3, 5, 6) — while most letters use the upper dots (1, 2, 4, 5). This design choice helps readers distinguish punctuation from letters by touch.
In Unified English Braille (UEB), some punctuation marks require two cells — a prefix cell followed by the symbol cell. This guide covers every punctuation mark in the UEB braille system.
Convert any punctuated text to braille instantly with our Braille Translator.
Basic Punctuation Marks (RU)
Period, Comma, and Common Stops (RU)
| Symbol | Name | Braille | Dots |
|---|---|---|---|
| . | Period (full stop) | ⠲ | 2-5-6 |
| , | Comma | ⠂ | 2 |
| ; | Semicolon | ⠆ | 2-3 |
| : | Colon | ⠒ | 2-5 |
| ! | Exclamation mark | ⠖ | 2-3-5 |
| ? | Question mark | ⠦ | 2-3-6 |
Quotation Marks (RU)
| Symbol | Name | Braille | Dots |
|---|---|---|---|
| ” | Open quote | ⠦ | 2-3-6 |
| ” | Close quote | ⠴ | 3-5-6 |
| ’ | Apostrophe | ⠄ | 3 |
Note: The opening quotation mark ⠦ uses the same cell as the question mark. Context tells the reader which symbol is intended — a question mark follows a word, while an opening quote precedes one.
Hyphens and Dashes (RU)
| Symbol | Name | Braille | Dots |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | Hyphen | ⠤ | 3-6 |
| — | Em dash | ⠠⠤ | 6, 3-6 |
| – | En dash | ⠐⠤ | 5, 3-6 |
Parentheses and Brackets (RU)
| Symbol | Name | Braille | Dots |
|---|---|---|---|
| ( | Open parenthesis | ⠐⠣ | 5, 1-2-6 |
| ) | Close parenthesis | ⠐⠜ | 5, 3-4-6 |
| [ | Open bracket | ⠨⠣ | 4-6, 1-2-6 |
| ] | Close bracket | ⠨⠜ | 4-6, 3-4-6 |
| { | Open brace | ⠸⠣ | 4-5-6, 1-2-6 |
| } | Close brace | ⠸⠜ | 4-5-6, 3-4-6 |
Mathematical Symbols (RU)
| Symbol | Name | Braille | Dots |
|---|---|---|---|
| + | Plus | ⠐⠖ | 5, 2-3-5 |
| = | Equals | ⠐⠶ | 5, 2-3-5-6 |
| × | Multiply | ⠐⠦ | 5, 2-3-6 |
| ÷ | Divide | ⠐⠌ | 5, 3-4 |
| < | Less than | ⠐⠣ | 5, 1-2-6 |
| > | Greater than | ⠐⠜ | 5, 3-4-6 |
| % | Percent | ⠨⠴ | 4-6, 3-5-6 |
For math practice, try typing equations into our Text to Braille converter.
Special Characters (RU)
| Symbol | Name | Braille | Dots |
|---|---|---|---|
| @ | At sign | ⠈⠁ | 4, 1 |
| # | Hash/number sign | ⠸⠹ | 4-5-6, 1-4-5-6 |
| & | Ampersand | ⠈⠯ | 4, 1-2-3-4-6 |
| * | Asterisk | ⠐⠔ | 5, 3-5 |
| / | Forward slash | ⠸⠌ | 4-5-6, 3-4 |
| \ | Backslash | ⠸⠡ | 4-5-6, 1-6 |
| _ | Underscore | ⠨⠤ | 4-6, 3-6 |
| $ | Dollar sign | ⠈⠎ | 4, 2-3-4 |
| € | Euro sign | ⠈⠑ | 4, 1-5 |
| £ | Pound sign | ⠈⠇ | 4, 1-2-3 |
| © | Copyright | ⠐⠉ | 5, 1-4 |
Braille Indicators (Not Punctuation, but Essential) (RU)
These aren’t punctuation marks, but they work alongside punctuation in braille text:
| Indicator | Purpose | Braille | Dots |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital letter | Next letter is uppercase | ⠠ | 6 |
| Capital word | Entire word is caps | ⠠⠠ | 6, 6 |
| Number indicator | Following cells are digits | ⠼ | 3-4-5-6 |
| Letter indicator | Return to letter mode | ⠰ | 5-6 |
Rules for Braille Punctuation (RU)
1. No Space Before Punctuation (RU)
In braille, punctuation marks are placed directly after the last letter of a word with no space — just like in print. A space follows after the punctuation.
2. Context Determines Meaning (RU)
Some braille cells have multiple meanings depending on position. For example, ⠦ means either a question mark or an opening quotation mark. The reader uses context (position in the sentence) to determine the correct interpretation.
3. Multi-Cell Symbols (RU)
Many punctuation marks in UEB require two cells — a prefix cell that indicates the category, followed by the symbol cell. This is different from older braille codes where most punctuation was a single cell.
4. Grade 2 Interactions (RU)
In Grade 2 (contracted) braille, some punctuation affects how contractions are read. A punctuation mark can terminate a contraction and signal the start of a new word. Use our Contraction Lookup to check specific cases.
Practice Braille Punctuation (RU)
The best way to learn braille punctuation is to practice with real sentences:
- Braille Translator — type sentences with punctuation and see the braille output
- Braille Quiz — test your recognition of braille symbols
- Image to Text — photograph printed braille and verify punctuation
Practice Sentences (RU)
Try converting these sentences to braille:
- “Hello, how are you?”
- She said, “I love braille!”
- The cost is $24.99 (plus tax).
- Email: hello@braille-translator.com
Frequently Asked Questions (RU)
How do you write a period in braille? (RU)
A period (full stop) in braille is dots 2-5-6: ⠲
Is braille punctuation the same in all languages? (RU)
No. Different languages use different braille codes for punctuation. French, Spanish, and German braille each have their own punctuation conventions. This guide covers UEB (Unified English Braille).
How many punctuation marks exist in braille? (RU)
UEB braille includes approximately 50+ punctuation and symbol characters, many of which require two cells (a prefix + symbol cell).
Where does punctuation go in braille? (RU)
Directly after the last letter of the word, with no space before it — the same rule as in print text.