How to Make Any Website Readable for Someone With Low Vision

Low vision means sight that glasses can't fully correct, from conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma or diabetic eye disease. Most websites aren't designed with it in mind, but browser and system settings can make almost any site easier to read. These steps also help when setting up a computer for a parent or friend.

1. Make everything bigger

• Zoom: Ctrl + + (Mac: Cmd + +). Chrome remembers the zoom for each site.
• Default zoom: Settings → Appearance → Page zoom sets it for every site, so you don't have to zoom each one.
• Text size only: Settings → Appearance → Customize fonts lets you raise the default and minimum font size. See increasing text size without zooming.
• System scaling: in Windows display settings or Mac Displays, larger scaling makes menus and everything else bigger too.

2. Strip away clutter with Reading mode

Right-click a page and choose Open in reading mode. Chrome shows the main text in a side panel where you can pick a larger font, wider spacing and high-contrast colors. It can also read the text aloud.

3. Use a magnifier

• Windows Magnifier: Win + + to start, Win + Esc to stop.
• Mac Zoom: turn it on in Accessibility settings, then use the keyboard shortcut or trackpad gesture.
• ChromeOS: full-screen and docked magnifiers in Accessibility settings.

4. Improve contrast

• Windows contrast themes replace site colors with high-contrast ones. See high contrast mode.
• Dark pages: some people with low vision find light text on dark backgrounds easier, especially with glare sensitivity. Modern Dark Mode darkens sites with brightness and contrast controls.
• Others read better with dark text on light. Test both.

5. Make the pointer easier to find

Increase the mouse pointer size and color in system accessibility settings. It's a small change that saves a lot of searching.

6. Focus on one part at a time

ADHD Reading Focus shows one paragraph at a time in large text, at 17, 22 or 28 pixels, which some people with low vision also find easier to follow. Arrow keys move between paragraphs.

7. Listen instead

When reading gets tiring, have pages read aloud. See text-to-speech in Chrome. People with very little sight may need a full screen reader such as NVDA, JAWS, Narrator or VoiceOver.

Get support

Low vision specialists and sight-loss charities can recommend magnifiers, software and training. See also Chrome accessibility features.