Short answer
Do dyslexia fonts help people with dyslexia read?
Studies of special dyslexia fonts have not found that they improve reading. A study of OpenDyslexic found no gain in reading speed or accuracy for students with dyslexia, and a study of the Dyslexie font found no benefit for children with or without dyslexia. Extra-large letter spacing did speed up reading for some dyslexic children in one study, so spacing is worth adjusting. The Dyslexia Steps tool lets you try both on your own text.
- Special dyslexia fonts did not improve reading speed or accuracy in controlled studies.
- Wider letter spacing helped some children with dyslexia read faster in one study.
- Coloured overlays are not supported by good evidence in a systematic review.
- A comfortable font and layout is still worth choosing; it just is not a treatment.
What research says about dyslexia friendly fonts
Fonts such as OpenDyslexic and Dyslexie give letters heavier bottoms or unusual shapes so that b, d, p and q look more different. The idea is appealing, but when these fonts were tested against ordinary fonts, readers with dyslexia did not read faster or more accurately.
That does not make them harmful. Some people simply prefer how they look, and preference matters for comfort. The honest summary is: choose the font you find easiest, and do not expect a font to change reading ability.1,2
Letter spacing matters more than the dyslexia font
In a study of Italian and French children with dyslexia, text with extra-large spacing between letters was read faster and with fewer errors, without any training. Crowded letters are harder to tell apart, and more space seems to reduce that crowding for some readers.
That is why the tool puts letter, word and line spacing first. Try increasing letter spacing a little at a time; most people find a point where text feels easier before it starts to look odd.3
Choosing a dyslexia friendly font for school and work
Plain sans-serif fonts with clear letter shapes, such as Arial, Verdana or similar, are a good default. Use a size of at least 12 to 14 points on paper, generous line spacing, left-aligned text and short paragraphs.
Background tint is a matter of comfort. Many people prefer cream or light grey to bright white. A systematic review found no good evidence that coloured overlays improve reading, so choose a colour because it feels comfortable, not as a fix.4
- Sans-serif font, 12–14 pt or larger
- Line spacing about 1.5
- Left-aligned, not justified
- Cream or light grey background if white feels harsh
When the dyslexia font is not the problem
If a child reads slowly whatever the font, the difficulty is usually in decoding: turning letters into sounds quickly. That is the skill that systematic phonics practice builds. The free dyslexia test checks it along with five other reading skills.5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best font for dyslexia?
There is no single best font. Research has not found that special dyslexia fonts improve reading; a clear sans-serif font with generous letter and line spacing is a good, evidence-friendly choice.
Is OpenDyslexic good for dyslexia?
Some people like it, but a study found no improvement in reading speed or accuracy with OpenDyslexic compared with ordinary fonts. Use it if you prefer it.
Does the tool save or send my text?
No. Everything happens in your browser; the text is not sent anywhere or stored.
Do coloured overlays help dyslexia?
A systematic review found no good evidence that coloured overlays or lenses improve reading. If a colour feels more comfortable, that is fine, but it is not a treatment.
Sources
- Wery JJ, Diliberto JA (2017). The effect of a specialized dyslexia font, OpenDyslexic, on reading rate and accuracy. Ann Dyslexia, 67(2), 114-127.
- Kuster SM, van Weerdenburg M, Gompel M, Bosman AMT (2018). Dyslexie font does not benefit reading in children with or without dyslexia. Ann Dyslexia, 68(1), 25-42.
- Zorzi M, Barbiero C, Facoetti A et al. (2012). Extra-large letter spacing improves reading in dyslexia. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 109(28), 11455-9.
- Griffiths PG, Taylor RH, Henderson LM, Barrett BT (2016). The effect of coloured overlays and lenses on reading: a systematic review of the literature. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt, 36(5), 519-44.
- Galuschka K, Ise E, Krick K, Schulte-Körne G (2014). Effectiveness of treatment approaches for children and adolescents with reading disabilities: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS One, 9(2), e89900.
Keep reading
- Dyslexia simulatorMost simulators make letters jump around. That is not what dyslexia usually is. Try decoding a secret script instead: it is much closer to the slow, effortful reading many dyslexic children live with every day.
- Free dyslexia testSix short games, played with a parent nearby, check the skills that reading is built on. You get a skills profile straight away, with a clear note on when to ask a professional.