Phrase

“thank you” in braille

In Grade 2 the 'th' becomes one cell and 'you' contracts to a single y, so the contracted form is much shorter.

Grade 1 — letter by letter

⠞⠓⠁⠝⠅ ⠽⠕⠥

8 cells

Grade 2 — contracted

⠹⠁⠝⠅ ⠽

5 cells — 3 fewer than Grade 1.

Letter by letter

2-3-4-5

1-2-5

1-3-4-5

1-3

space — an empty cell

1-3-4-5-6

1-3-5

1-3-6

Before you emboss it

If this is going onto something permanent — jewellery, a card, a tattoo — decide which grade you want first. The two are different lengths and a Grade 2 reader will read the Grade 1 version perfectly well, but not the other way round if the contraction is misapplied.

See the bracelet pattern maker for turning this into a physical layout.