Braille is measured in millimeters. Get it wrong by a fraction, and your sign fails. Inspectors are checking braille with calipers now — not just eyeballing it. The dot diameter, the spacing, the cell spacing, the dome height — all of it has exact specifications under ADA §703.3. Here’s the precision guide.
Grade 1 vs Grade 2 Braille: Know the Difference
Grade 1 braille spells out every single letter. “Room 204” gets rendered letter by letter.
Grade 2 braille uses contractions and abbreviations — shorthand symbols for common words and letter combinations. It’s faster to read, takes less space, and — it’s what ADA requires.
If your signs have Grade 1 braille, they fail. Period.
Exact Braille Specifications (ADA §703.3)
- Dot diameter: 1.5mm (0.059″) to 1.6mm (0.063″)
- Dot height: 0.6mm (0.024″) to 0.9mm (0.035″)
- Dot spacing (within cell): 2.3mm (0.090″) center to center
- Cell spacing: 6.1mm (0.241″) minimum between cells
- Line spacing: 10mm (0.394″) minimum between lines
- Dot profile: Domed (rounded top, not flat, not pointed)
Critical: The dots must be domed — rounded on top. Flat dots (laser-engraved) are technically not compliant.
Where Braille Goes on the Sign
Braille must be positioned directly below the corresponding text. Not to the side. Not above. Below.
- Braille cells must be left-justified
- Minimum 3/8″ separation between text and braille
- Braille must not extend into the sign margin
Signs That Need Braille
- ✅ Room number signs (Suite 201, Office 12A)
- ✅ Room name signs (Conference Room, Break Room)
- ✅ Restroom signs
- ✅ Exit and entrance identification signs
- ✅ Stairwell identification signs
Signs That Don’t Need Braille
- ❌ Temporary signs (7 days or less)
- ❌ Building directories
- ❌ Company name/logo signs
- ❌ Menus
6 Common Mistakes That Fail Inspection
1. Grade 1 Instead of Grade 2 — The most common failure. Your fabricator used letter-by-letter spelling.
2. Flat Dots — Laser-engraved braille often produces flat-topped dots. ADA requires domed dots.
3. Wrong Spacing — Dots too close together. Someone with reduced tactile sensitivity can’t distinguish them.
4. Braille in the Wrong Position — To the side of text instead of below it.
5. Using Braille on Exempt Signs — Adding braille to a company logo sign creates compliance problems where none existed.
6. Inconsistent Braille Size — Mixing dot sizes signals poor manufacturing to inspectors.
How We Manufacture Compliant Braille Signs
At Graphics 22, we’ve produced Grade 2 braille signs for over 30 years. Our process: certified braille translation software (not hand-translated), precision CNC or thermoformed domed dots, QC check against ADA §703.3 with calipers, and tactile testing for readability.
Our compliance guarantee: if any sign doesn’t pass inspection, we remake it free.
Get a Free Quote → Or call (412) 422-1125.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Grade 2 braille required by federal law?
A: Yes. ADA Standards §703.3 requires Grade 2 (contracted) braille.
Q: Can I use Grade 1 braille if I prefer it?
A: No. The ADA specifically requires Grade 2.
Q: How long do braille dots last?
A: Properly manufactured domed dots last the life of the building.
Related Articles
- ADA Room Signs: Everything You Need to Know
- 10 ADA Sign Mistakes That Fail Inspection
- ADA Restroom Signs
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