Reading on the web is harder when every site uses a different font, tight spacing, and bright white backgrounds. For many dyslexic readers, a dyslexia-friendly typeface plus a little extra space between letters and lines makes a noticeable difference within minutes.
Why fonts matter for dyslexic readers
Standard fonts can make similar letters (like b and d, or p and q) easy to confuse. OpenDyslexic was designed with heavier letter bottoms so characters stay anchored on the line. It is not a cure — but many readers report less fatigue and fewer reversals when combined with good spacing.
What you can change without changing the website
Websites choose their own fonts. A Chrome extension like Dyslexly applies your reading preferences on top of the page:
- OpenDyslexic across the site
- Font size boost
- Letter, word, and line spacing
- Optional colour overlay for visual stress (Pro)
You turn it on once; it works on news sites, homework portals, Wikipedia, and most everyday pages.
Quick setup (under a minute)
- Install Dyslexly from the Chrome Web Store.
- Click the Dyslexly icon → turn on OpenDyslexic.
- Adjust spacing sliders until lines feel comfortable.
- Use Alt+Shift+C to toggle Dyslexly on or off anytime.
When a font alone is not enough
Some readers also need:
- A tinted overlay (helpful for Irlen Syndrome / visual stress)
- Line focus to track the current line
- Read-aloud with word highlighting
Those are included in Dyslexly Pro. The free tier is enough to test whether OpenDyslexic and spacing work for you.
For parents and teachers
If a child struggles with online homework, try OpenDyslexic plus slightly wider line height before adding more tools. School licences are available when you want the same setup across a class or year group.
Next step: Add Dyslexly to Chrome and open an article you normally avoid — compare before and after.