Numbers

The number sign, and how digits reuse A–J.

Learn

Braille reuses the first ten letters for digits. A number sign (dots 3, 4, 5, 6) tells the reader “what follows is a number,” and then A–J stand in for 1–0.

So “1” is the number sign followed by A, “2” is the number sign followed by B, and so on. Write the number sign and a few digits below.

Number signdots 3 4 5 6Placed before digits — dots 3, 4, 5, 6.
1dots 1Same cell as A.
2dots 1 2Same cell as B.
3dots 1 4Same cell as C.
0dots 2 4 5Same cell as J.

Your Turn

Write It Yourself

Braille is read by touch and written dot by dot. Recreate each character below in the writer — the best way to make it stick.

Number sign — current
1
2
3
0

Character 1 of 5

Write:Number sign

Keys F D S and J K L (or 1–6) raise dots · Enter checks

Practice

Keep Practicing — Number Sense

Finish writing the characters above, then this practice activity will help it stick.

Tip One number sign covers a whole run of digits — you don’t repeat it before every digit.