How to Make Any Website Easier to Read When You Have Dyslexia

Dyslexia affects how people decode written words, and many websites make it harder with dense paragraphs, tight spacing, glaring white backgrounds and justified text. You can change most of that yourself in the browser.

What tends to help

The British Dyslexia Association's style guide recommends:

• Clear sans-serif fonts, such as Arial or Verdana.
• Larger text and line spacing of about 1.5.
• Off-white or cream backgrounds instead of bright white.
• Left-aligned text, not justified.
• Short paragraphs, and avoiding italics and long underlined passages.

Preferences vary, so experiment to find what works for you.

1. Use Reading mode

Right-click a page and choose Open in reading mode. Chrome shows the article text in a side panel where you can choose the font, size, line spacing, letter spacing and background color. It can also read the text aloud while highlighting each word.

2. Change default fonts

Settings → Appearance → Customize fonts lets you set the default font and size. Some sites override them, but many articles will follow your choice. See customizing spacing and font size in Chrome.

3. Listen while you read

Hearing the text as you follow it reduces the effort of decoding. See text-to-speech in Chrome. Microsoft Edge's Immersive Reader also offers line focus and syllable splitting.

4. Focus on one part at a time

• ADHD Reading Focus shows one paragraph at a time in larger text, at 17, 22 or 28 pixels, hiding the rest of the page.
• Reading Progress Bar shows how far through a page you are.

What about dyslexia fonts?

Fonts such as OpenDyslexic are designed with heavier letter bottoms to reduce letter flipping. Research hasn't found that they improve reading speed or accuracy over standard clear fonts; a 2017 study by Wery and Diliberto found no benefit. Some people still prefer them, and that's a fine reason to use one.

Colored backgrounds and overlays

Many people with dyslexia find a tinted background more comfortable than white. The evidence that colored overlays improve reading is mixed, but comfort matters. See color overlays.

Spelling and writing help

Chrome's spell check (Settings → Languages → Spell check) can use Google's enhanced checking. Dictation tools let you speak instead of type. See voice control for browsing.

For site owners

Clear structure and generous spacing help everyone. See how white space helps reading and cognitive accessibility.