The short answer
There is no evidence-backed best font for every person with dyslexia. Start with a familiar, clear sans-serif font at a comfortable size, then compare alternatives without changing the rest of the page.
Arial, Verdana, Open Sans, Calibri and similar sans-serif fonts are practical starting points. OpenDyslexic, Lexend, Atkinson Hyperlegible and Andika are also reasonable options to offer. A specialist font may be somebody's personal favourite, but it should not be advertised as a treatment or a guaranteed way to increase reading speed.
Fonts worth comparing
| Font | Useful reason to test it | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Arial | Familiar, widely available and visually simple | Compact shapes may feel crowded at small sizes |
| Verdana | Wide letters and generous built-in spacing | Takes more horizontal space |
| Open Sans | Clear screen font with many weights | Not installed by default in every document app |
| Calibri | Familiar in office documents | Its lighter weights can look faint |
| Lexend | Designed around reducing visual crowding | Preference varies; it is not a universal solution |
| Atkinson Hyperlegible | Distinctive letter shapes support character recognition | Was designed for low vision, not specifically as a dyslexia treatment |
| OpenDyslexic | Weighted shapes and distinctive forms appeal to some readers | Controlled studies have not found a consistent speed or accuracy benefit |
| Andika | Clear letterforms designed for literacy use | Less familiar than standard system fonts |
This is a comparison list, not a league table.
What research says about dyslexia fonts
A 2026 meta-analysis combined 15 studies, 91 effect sizes and 688 participants. It found no consistent, reliable improvement in reading speed or accuracy from specialised dyslexia fonts overall.
Earlier controlled studies reached a similar conclusion for individual fonts. A study of OpenDyslexic found no improvement in reading rate or accuracy compared with Arial and Times New Roman. A study of Dyslexie found no advantage over Arial, and many participating children preferred Arial.
That does not mean a reader is wrong to prefer OpenDyslexic or another specialist font. Comfort and preference matter. It means we should not promise that the label “dyslexia font” makes a typeface clinically superior.
Size and spacing can matter as much as the font name
The British Dyslexia Association's style guidance recommends clear sans-serif type, a text size around 12 to 14 points in print, generous character and word spacing, and line spacing around 1.5. It also advises against long passages in italics, underlining and capital letters.
For a website, a strong starting setup is:
- body text around 16 to 19 pixels;
- line height around 1.5 to 1.7;
- left-aligned paragraphs rather than fully justified text;
- a manageable line length rather than text stretching across the entire screen;
- clear paragraph gaps and descriptive headings;
- bold used selectively, with long italic or all-cap passages avoided.
Exact numbers are not a prescription. Screen size, viewing distance and individual vision affect what feels comfortable.
A fair five-minute font test
Use the same unfamiliar passage for each version.
- Set one text size, line height, line width and colour combination.
- Prepare the passage in three fonts: one familiar sans-serif, one wider sans-serif and one specialist option.
- Read each for one minute in a different order.
- Note comfort, skipped lines, letter confusion and how often you needed to reread.
- Repeat with a different passage the next day.
- Keep the font you prefer, even if it is the ordinary option.
Do not test a specialist font at a larger size or wider spacing than the comparison font. That tests the whole layout, not the typeface.
Choosing a font for websites and PDFs
Web pages are easiest to customise when text is real, selectable HTML. Scanned PDFs are harder because the words may be an image. Even searchable PDFs often use a fixed layout that cannot be reflowed cleanly.
If you mainly read websites, try the Dyslexly extension free. It includes five font choices, including OpenDyslexic, plus separate size, spacing, overlay, line-focus and read-aloud controls. Offering OpenDyslexic is about choice; it is not a claim that it works best for everybody.
For more options, compare our guides to background colours and customising text settings.
Choosing fonts for school or work
When producing shared material, use an accessible default and provide an editable copy. A Word document, HTML page or tagged, reflowable format gives the reader more control than a flattened PDF.
Good defaults include:
- a clear sans-serif font;
- at least 12 to 14 point text in print;
- meaningful headings rather than formatting alone;
- short paragraphs and lists;
- adequate colour contrast;
- no essential information conveyed only by colour.
If one reader asks for a particular font, treat it as an individual adjustment rather than imposing it on every dyslexic person.
Our practical recommendation
Start with Arial, Verdana or Open Sans because they are clear and familiar. Then offer Lexend, Atkinson Hyperlegible, OpenDyslexic or Andika as alternatives. Test the reader's chosen font alongside size, spacing and colour controls.
The honest answer is not “use this one dyslexia font.” It is make the text adjustable and let the reader keep the combination that feels most comfortable.
Sources and review method
This guide was reviewed on 24 August 2026 against:
- the British Dyslexia Association Style Guide;
- a 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis of specialised dyslexia fonts;
- a controlled study of OpenDyslexic and reading performance;
- a controlled study comparing Dyslexie with Arial.
Dyslexly is a reading-customisation tool, not a diagnostic service or medical treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OpenDyslexic scientifically proven to improve reading? No consistent improvement in reading speed or accuracy has been demonstrated. Some people still prefer its appearance, so it is reasonable to offer it as one choice.
Is Arial or Comic Sans better for dyslexia? Neither is universally better. Both are familiar sans-serif fonts mentioned in accessibility guidance. Compare them at the same size and spacing and use the reader's preference.
What font size is best for dyslexia? There is no single best size. The British Dyslexia Association suggests 12 to 14 point as a print starting range. On websites, around 16 to 19 pixels is a practical starting point, with zoom available.
Do letter spacing and line spacing help? Many readers find uncrowded text more comfortable. Try moderate character and word spacing with line height around 1.5, but avoid spreading letters so far apart that words become harder to recognise.