ADA Sign Character Count Chart
Use these charts to help determine the proper number of raised characters and Braille that can fit on an ADA compliant sign.
How to Use These Charts
First, use the Characters Per Line chart to estimate how many raised characters can fit across the width of the sign.
Then use the Lines Per Sign chart to estimate how many lines can fit within the height of the sign.
Example: A 4" x 8" sign using 0.625" lettering can allow approximately 2 lines with 11 characters per line.
The information presented in these charts is specific to signs using raised tactile letters and Grade 2 Braille. All data is based on use of the Helvetica font. Consideration has been made to reflect ADA, ADAG, ANSI and UBC regulations regarding character height, line spacing, kerning, character spacing, and free space around characters.
| Character Height |
Sign Width | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4" | 5" | 6" | 7" | 7.5" | 8" | 8.5" | 9" | 10" | 11" | 12" | |
| 0.625" | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 17 |
| 0.75" | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 |
| 1" | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 1.25" | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 |
| 1.5" | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 1.75" | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| 2" | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Character Height |
Sign Height | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4" | 5" | 6" | 7" | 7.5" | 8" | 8.5" | 9" | 10" | 11" | 12" | |
| 0.625" | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 0.75" | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 1" | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| 1.25" | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| 1.5" | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| 1.75" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 2" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |