What is Grade 2 Braille (and how is it different from Grade 1)?
Grade 2 Braille is contracted Braille: it uses roughly 180 contractions and short-forms to represent common words and letter combinations, so "the" or "and" becomes a single cell rather than three. It is the form the ADA 2010 Standards (§703.3) require on tactile signs.
How is Grade 1 different?
Grade 1 Braille is uncontracted, every word is spelled out letter for letter, one Braille cell per character. It is mostly used for teaching beginners and for short strings like single letters or numbers, not for compliant signage.
| Feature | Grade 1 | Grade 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Letter-for-letter | Contracted (shorthand) |
| Length | Longer | Shorter / faster to read |
| ADA signs | Not the standard | Required |
On an ADA sign, Grade 2 Braille sits directly below the raised text, uses domed or rounded dots, and follows specific dot size and spacing rules so it can be read reliably by touch.
See our Braille sign range. NameBadge.com produces Grade 2 Braille two ways in-house in the USA, CNC-pressed raised beads or raised UV-printed Braille, both built to ADA code.