Unified English Braille was developed by the International Council on English Braille to unify the braille codes used among English-speaking countries and to unify the braille symbols used in literary, mathematics and computing contexts. It was ratified in 2004 and is now used in many countries around the world, including Australia, Botswana, Canada, Fiji, Ghana, India, Ireland, Kiribati, Malaysia, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, the Philipines, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Tonga, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Vanuatu, Vietnam and Zimbabwe. ICEB continues to monitor the use of UEB and clarify or review its symbols and rules as necessary.
The Rules of Unified English Braille is the definitive UEB Rulebook produced by ICEB . Hard copies are available for purchase from RNIB in print and braille at an affordable price. The electronic files are available below for free download and can be printed or embossed for personal use.
The PDF version is designed for printing. See:
Rules of Unified English Braille 2013.pdf.
A PDF version with hyperlinks is also available. It is designed for easy navigation when accessing the document directly online. See:
Rules of Unified English Braille 2013 (linked).pdf.
The braille edition of the UEB Rulebook, in six volumes, is available as formatted braille ( BRF ) files with page size 25 lines by 30 cells:
Rules of Unified English Braille 2013 vol 1.brf - front matter, Sections 1-2
Rules of Unified English Braille 2013 vol 2.brf - Sections 3-8
Rules of Unified English Braille 2013 vol 3.brf - Sections 9-10
Rules of Unified English Braille 2013 vol 4.brf - Sections 11-16
Rules of Unified English Braille 2013 vol 5.brf - Appendices 1 [shortforms list] and 2 [word list]
Rules of Unified English Braille 2013 vol 6.brf - Appendix 3 [symbols list]
The UEB Rulebook has been translated into French. The PDF version is available for free download:
Rules of Unified English Braille 2013-Translated into French.pdf.
Translation of the Rulebook into further languages is welcome. Permission must be sought from ICEB by a recognised Braille Authority for the language. Funding and translation is then provided by the requesting Authority.
As at July 12, 2022.
A number of updates to the Rules of Unified English Braille have been approved, taking effect immediately, and will be included in the next edition. Transcribers and designers of braille translation software and equipment are asked to implement these changes now.
(April 19, 2017): The line indicator (dots 456) added to the "standing alone" rule with a new example.
(July 12, 2022) Section 2.6 rewritten to clarify the effect of a medial indicator on the "standing alone" rule.
The updated rules including the above changes can be downloaded from:
Rules of UEB section 2.6 Standing Alone with Simbraille (PDF) - for print readers
Rules of UEB section 2.6 Standing Alone with Unicode (PDF) - for use with a screen reader or refreshable braille display
Rules of UEB section 2.6 Standing Alone braille (BRF) - for embossing or use with refreshable braille display
New UEB symbol (April 18, 2018) Use for (U+2713) and (U+1f5f8).