How to Make Any Website Dyslexia Friendly

If you run a website, blog, or online business, you might not realise how challenging standard web design can be for dyslexic readers. Poor font choices, tight spacing, low colour contrast, and cluttered layouts create unnecessary barriers. The good news: making your site dyslexia friendly doesn't require a complete redesign. Small, practical changes can transform the reading experience for an estimated 1 in 10 people.

Whether you're a web designer, content manager, or business owner, this guide covers the essential steps to make any website dyslexia friendly. You'll also learn how tools like Dyslexly help bridge gaps while you're improving your site itself.

Choose Dyslexia-Friendly Fonts

Font selection is the foundation of dyslexia-friendly web design. Standard serif fonts like Times New Roman and decorative typefaces make reading harder for dyslexic users because similar letters blur together. Letters like "b", "d", "p", and "q" become confusing; "rn" looks like "m".

Instead, use sans-serif fonts with clear letter distinction. The best choices include:

• OpenDyslexic: designed specifically for dyslexic readers, with heavier weighted bottoms
• Arial: clean, widely available, and accessible
• Verdana: generous spacing built into the typeface itself
• Trebuchet MS: distinctive letterforms that reduce confusion

Set your base font size to at least 14-16 pixels on desktop. Many dyslexic readers enlarge text anyway, so building in adequate size from the start reduces the need for extra adjustments. On mobile devices, ensure text remains readable without zooming.

Avoid italics and all-caps text for body content, as both increase cognitive load. Use bold for emphasis instead.

Improve Spacing and Layout

Tight typography creates visual crowding, which disorients dyslexic readers. Generous spacing acts like a visual breathing room.

Focus on these spacing elements:

Line height: Set to at least 1.5 times the font size. A line height of 1.8 to 2 is even better. This creates clear separation between rows of text, making it easier to track from line to line without losing your place.

Letter spacing: Increase it slightly beyond the default. Most dyslexia-friendly sites use 0.1 to 0.15 em of extra space between characters.

Paragraph spacing: Leave clear gaps between paragraphs. A margin of at least 1.5 em makes content feel less dense.

Margins and padding: Don't push text to the edge of the screen or container. Leave breathing room on both sides. Aim for text columns no wider than 70 characters per line. Wider columns force eyes to travel too far, increasing the chance of losing place or re-reading lines.

On mobile, ensure padding doesn't make content uncomfortably narrow. Mobile screens have constraints, but you can still maintain readable proportions.

Use Colour Overlays and High Contrast

Many dyslexic readers experience visual stress from bright, high-contrast black text on white backgrounds. Colour overlays reduce this strain significantly. Some readers prefer amber text on dark backgrounds; others prefer cool blue overlays over white backgrounds.

At minimum, your website should offer:

• High contrast between text and background (at least 4.5:1 ratio for normal text, 3:1 for large text)
• Avoid pure white backgrounds paired with pure black text. Instead, try off-white with dark grey, or light cream backgrounds
• Make links visually distinct. Don't rely on colour alone; underline links or use bold. Many dyslexic readers also struggle with colour discrimination
• Consider offering a built-in dark mode or colour overlay option

Tools like Dyslexly help readers apply personalised colour overlays to any website, which covers gaps while you develop your own accessibility features. This means your dyslexic audience has options immediately, rather than waiting for a full site redesign.

Simplify Language and Structure

Dyslexic readers often benefit from clearer language structure, even when they have strong comprehension skills. Simplification isn't about "dumbing down" content; it's about respecting cognitive energy.

Put these practices into action:

• Break content into short paragraphs (3-4 sentences maximum)
• Use bullet points and numbered lists to chunk information
• Use clear, active voice: "We changed the policy" instead of "The policy was changed"
• Define jargon and technical terms on first use
• Use short sentences under 15-20 words when possible
• Front-load important information. Put the key point first, then add supporting detail
• Use descriptive headings that tell readers what the section covers
• Avoid idioms and metaphors that rely on cultural knowledge

Tools like Dyslexly include word simplification features that automatically replace difficult words with simpler alternatives, helping readers understand your content more easily.

Reduce Visual Clutter and Distractions

Busy layouts overwhelm dyslexic readers. Each element fights for attention, making it hard to focus on the main content.

Keep your design minimal:

• Use whitespace generously. Empty space isn't wasted; it creates visual rest
• Limit the number of fonts to two maximum (one for headings, one for body)
• Avoid blinking, flashing, or moving elements. Animation distracts and can trigger sensory overload
• Keep sidebars minimal. If you have ads, notifications, or secondary content, place them clearly separate from the main reading area
• Use simple, readable images. Busy or complex imagery doesn't add value and increases cognitive load
• Ensure buttons and interactive elements are clearly labelled
• Use consistent design patterns throughout. Readers shouldn't have to relearn how to navigate each page

This consistency helps dyslexic readers develop mental maps of your site structure, reducing the cognitive effort needed to find information.

Make Text-to-Speech Accessible

Many dyslexic readers use text-to-speech to support their reading. Ensure your website supports this technology:

• Use semantic HTML so screen readers and text-to-speech tools can understand content structure
• Include descriptive alt text for all meaningful images
• Avoid using images to display text (like text embedded in a graphic)
• Test your site with screen reader software like NVDA or JAWS
• Label form fields clearly so users know what information to enter
• Ensure videos include captions and transcripts

Most modern browsers include built-in text-to-speech, but many users also rely on specialist tools. Dyslexly includes text-to-speech functionality as part of its toolkit, helping dyslexic readers access any website more comfortably.

Conclusion

Making your website dyslexia friendly is both a accessibility responsibility and a practical business decision. Dyslexic users represent a significant portion of your audience, and many of the changes that help them also improve usability for all readers. Start with font choice and spacing, then layer in colour options, simplified language, and reduced clutter. These changes compound, creating a genuinely welcoming experience. While you implement these improvements, tools like Dyslexly help bridge the gap for readers visiting your site today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the easiest first step to make a website dyslexia friendly? Change the font to a sans-serif typeface like Arial or Verdana and increase line height to at least 1.5 times the font size. These two changes alone improve readability significantly without requiring design overhauls.

Do I need special software to make a website dyslexia friendly? No. Font changes, spacing adjustments, and colour options are built into standard web technologies like CSS. However, tools like Dyslexly help readers customise any website, even those not yet optimised for dyslexia.

Is OpenDyslexic font better than other accessible fonts? OpenDyslexic was specifically designed for dyslexic readers and works well for many, but not all dyslexic people prefer it. Offer multiple font options so readers can choose what works best for them. Arial and Verdana are also highly accessible.

Can I add accessibility features without redesigning my entire website? Absolutely. Start small: improve font and spacing first. Then gradually add features like colour overlay options or text-to-speech. You don't need to rebuild everything at once.

What colour background is best for dyslexic readers? There's no single "best" colour. Different readers prefer different combinations. Some prefer off-white with dark text; others prefer dark backgrounds with light text. Offer multiple options or use warm tones (cream, light yellow) as a safe default.