Raised (tactile) characters
Uppercase, sans serif, 5/8–2 in tall on the uppercase I, raised at least 1/32 in, stroke no thicker than 15% of the height, and duplicated in braille below (703.2).
The requirements
| Requirement | Value | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Depth above background | 1/32 in min | 703.2.1 |
| Case | uppercase only | 703.2.2 |
| Style | sans serif; no italic, oblique, script or decorative | 703.2.3 |
| Proportion: width of O vs height of I | 55%–110% | 703.2.4 |
| Character height (uppercase I) | 5/8 in – 2 in | 703.2.5 |
| Height where separate visual characters exist | 1/2 in min | 703.2.5 |
| Stroke thickness of I | 15% max of height | 703.2.6 |
| Spacing, rectangular cross section | 1/8 in min, 4 × stroke max | 703.2.7 |
| Spacing, other cross sections (at base) | 1/16 in min, 4 × stroke max | 703.2.7 |
| Gap to raised borders and decoration | 3/8 in min | 703.2.7 |
| Line spacing, baseline to baseline | 135%–170% of height | 703.2.8 |
| Braille below | required | 703.2 |
Height and proportion
Height is measured on the uppercase I, from the baseline, and has to be between 5/8 inch and 2 inches (703.2.5). The font has to pass the proportion test: the uppercase O between 55 and 110 percent as wide as the I is tall. The I's stroke can be at most 15 percent of its height, which rules out most bold weights; at 5/8 inch that is 3/32 inch of stroke at most.
The 1/2 inch minimum applies only when the same information is also given in visual characters that meet 703.5, either on a separate sign or separately on the same sign. That same arrangement frees the raised characters from the finish and contrast rules, which is how clear or tone-on-tone tactile text becomes allowed.
Spacing
Spacing is measured between the two closest points of neighbouring characters in a word, not between their centers, and word spaces are left out (703.2.7). For square-edged characters, which is what most applique and photopolymer produce, the gap is 1/8 inch minimum and four times the stroke width maximum. Characters with rounded or sloped edges are measured at the base (1/16 inch minimum) and at the top (1/8 inch minimum). Raised characters also have to stay 3/8 inch clear of raised borders and decorative elements, so a raised frame close around the text fails.
Lines within a message are spaced 135 to 170 percent of the character height, baseline to baseline (703.2.8). For 5/8 inch text that is between about 0.84 and 1.06 inches.
Default letter spacing in most fonts is too tight for tactile work; at 5/8 inch the gap between an L and a T is often under 1/16 inch. Track the text out and check the tightest pairs with calipers or on a 1:1 print, not by eye on screen. Watch for sharp edges on routed or cut characters too: the Access Board advises that signs read by touch should not have sharp or abrasive edges.
Materials
Raised characters are usually made one of three ways: photopolymer plates exposed and washed out so the characters stand proud, thin applique characters cut and bonded to the face, or raster braille and applique on an engraved or printed substrate. The substrate is often acrylic, chosen for its finish options and edge quality; this overview of acrylic as a sign material covers the grades and thicknesses shops use. Whatever the process, check the finished depth (1/32 inch minimum) and that the face is non-glare if the raised characters are also the visual ones.
Questions
How big do raised letters on ADA signs have to be?
Between 5/8 inch and 2 inches tall, measured on the uppercase I (703.2.5). Where the same information is also given in separate visual characters, the raised characters can be as small as 1/2 inch.
How raised do tactile letters need to be?
At least 1/32 inch above the background (703.2.1). There is no maximum depth in the Standards.
Can raised characters be lowercase?
No. Raised characters must be uppercase (703.2.2). Visual-only characters can be upper, lower or mixed case.
What is the spacing between raised letters?
For characters with a rectangular cross section, at least 1/8 inch and at most four times the stroke width, measured between the closest points of neighbouring characters within a word (703.2.7). Word spaces are not counted.
Do raised characters need to contrast with the background?
Only if they are also doing the job of the visual characters. If the same information is given in separate visual characters, the raised characters are exempt from the finish and contrast rules.
Last checked against the source text 2026-09-25. Section numbers refer to the 2010 ADA Standards unless marked otherwise.