Font & Readability
OpenDyslexic Font — What It Is and How to Use It on Any Website
OpenDyslexic is a free, open-source typeface designed specifically to reduce some of the common reading errors experienced by dyslexic readers. Created by Abbie Gonzalez, it has been adopted by schools, apps and assistive technology tools around the world.
The core idea is straightforward: most standard fonts were designed for aesthetic consistency, not readability for atypical readers. OpenDyslexic makes deliberate design choices — weighted bottoms, distinct letterforms, generous spacing — that address the specific visual processing patterns common in dyslexia.
Using it on the web used to require installing browser extensions or custom stylesheets. Dyslexly makes it a single toggle — one click applies OpenDyslexic to any site you visit in Chrome, instantly and for free.
Font preview
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
Note: OpenDyslexic may not render above unless installed locally. Dyslexly loads the font automatically in Chrome.
How OpenDyslexic Is Designed
Weighted bottoms on every character
Each letter has a heavier base, anchoring it visually to the baseline. This is designed to prevent the rotational confusion that causes b/d and p/q swaps.
Distinct letterforms for similar characters
The letters most commonly reversed or confused by dyslexic readers — b, d, p, q, n, u — are drawn to be as visually different from each other as possible.
Generous letter spacing
OpenDyslexic has wider default letter spacing than most web fonts. Crowded text is harder to parse when letters appear to cluster or merge.
Consistent stroke weight
Unlike serif fonts where strokes vary in thickness, OpenDyslexic uses a more uniform stroke — reducing visual noise that can make individual letters harder to distinguish.
Does It Actually Work?
The honest answer: it depends on the person. Academic research on OpenDyslexic shows mixed results at a population level — some studies report improvements in reading speed and accuracy, others show no statistically significant effect compared to standard fonts.
What the research consistently shows is that individual variation is large. Many dyslexic readers report meaningful subjective improvement with OpenDyslexic even when population-level studies are inconclusive. The font that works best is personal — which is why being able to try it instantly and for free matters.
For some readers, spacing adjustments (wider letter spacing, larger line height) make a bigger difference than font choice alone. Dyslexly combines both: OpenDyslexic font plus independent spacing controls, so you can tune both variables until reading feels comfortable.
How to Use OpenDyslexic on Any Website
Install Dyslexly from the Chrome Web Store — it takes about 30 seconds.
Click the Dyslexly icon in your Chrome toolbar to open the panel.
Toggle OpenDyslexic font on — it applies immediately to the current page.
Adjust letter spacing, word spacing, and line height to your preference.
Set it as your default so it applies automatically on every site you visit.
Try OpenDyslexic on Any Website
Free Chrome extension. OpenDyslexic font, colour overlays, line focus, and read-aloud — on every site you visit. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does OpenDyslexic actually help dyslexic readers?⌄
Research results are mixed — some studies show meaningful improvements in reading speed and accuracy, others show modest or no effect at a population level. However, many individual dyslexic readers report significant subjective improvement. The scientific consensus is that font choice is one of many factors, and the right font is personal. OpenDyslexic is worth trying — it costs nothing and you will know within minutes whether it helps you.
How is OpenDyslexic different from standard fonts?⌄
OpenDyslexic characters have heavier bottoms — a weighted baseline that is designed to prevent letters from appearing to rotate or flip. The most commonly confused letters in dyslexia (b/d, p/q, n/u) are made more visually distinct from each other. The spacing between letters is also wider than most default web fonts.
Can I use OpenDyslexic on any website?⌄
Yes — that is exactly what Dyslexly does. It overrides the font on any website you visit in Chrome, replacing the site's default font with OpenDyslexic. It works on Google, Wikipedia, news sites, educational platforms, email clients and anywhere else. You can toggle it on or off per site or set it as your default for all sites.
Is OpenDyslexic free?⌄
Yes. OpenDyslexic was created by Abbie Gonzalez and is released under the SIL Open Font Licence — it is completely free to use. Dyslexly's implementation of it in Chrome is also free. The extension installs from the Chrome Web Store at no cost and requires no account.
What other fonts help with dyslexia?⌄
Besides OpenDyslexic, fonts that research and user feedback suggest are helpful include Arial, Verdana, Trebuchet MS, and Comic Sans (yes, really — its irregular letterforms make letters more distinct). The key characteristics are: generous spacing, clear distinction between similar-looking letters, and consistent stroke weight. Dyslexly currently implements OpenDyslexic, with additional font options available in Pro.