When you sit down to create a website, the goal is usually clear: make it look good, work smoothly, and engage your audience. But have you ever considered how something as small as a font could turn your beautifully crafted site into an obstacle course for some users?

For someone with dyslexia, reading text online can be an exhausting experience. Letters might switch places, blur together, or feel like they’re fighting for space. It’s frustrating. And with dyslexia affecting up to 20% of the population, this isn’t a rare issue. It’s something millions of people face every day.

But here’s the good news: small tweaks—like choosing the right fonts—can completely transform how people experience your website. And these changes aren’t just helpful for people with dyslexia. They make your site better for everyone. Let’s talk about how these small adjustments can lead to big, meaningful improvements.

Fonts: More Than Just a Design Choice

Have you ever opened a website and immediately felt relaxed reading the content? It’s not just luck—it’s the result of thoughtful font choices. Fonts are much more than decorations; they play a crucial role in how people engage with your content.

For someone with dyslexia, certain fonts can feel like a nightmare. Letters like “b” and “d” might look too similar, or the spacing between words might feel so tight that it’s overwhelming. But when the right font is used, everything changes. Text becomes easier to follow, sentences feel less chaotic, and the entire experience becomes more welcoming.

Think of fonts as the unsung heroes of accessibility. By making the right choices, you’re sending a message: “This website is for everyone, and you’re welcome here.”

What Fonts Should You Use?

Not all fonts are created equal. Some are specifically designed to help people with dyslexia, while others naturally offer features that make them easier to read. Let’s break down some of the best options:

• Dyslexie Font: Created for people with dyslexia, this font uses unique shapes to reduce letter flipping and confusion.

• Open Dyslexic: This free, open-source font has weighted bottoms that help letters feel more stable, making them easier to process visually.

• Comic Sans: Yes, it’s divisive in the design world, but its quirky shapes and wide spacing make it easier for many dyslexic readers to distinguish letters.

• Verdana and Arial: These sans-serif fonts are simple and clean, with wider spacing that supports readability.

• Calibri: A modern, friendly font that balances readability with style. It’s easy to read for most audiences.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. The best approach is to test these fonts with users—especially those with dyslexia—and see what works best.

Formatting: The Other Half of the Equation

Even the most accessible font can’t do its job if the formatting gets in the way. Imagine trying to read text that’s squished together, too tiny, or set against a distracting background. It’s enough to make anyone give up.

Here are a few simple tweaks that can make a world of difference:

• Go big: Stick to font sizes of 12–14 points for body text. Bigger fonts are easier to read, especially on screens.

• Add breathing room: Use 1.5x line spacing and slightly increase the spacing between letters. This reduces the “crowding” effect and makes text feel more open.

• Say no to italics: Italics can make letters look distorted and harder to process. Use bold text instead when you need emphasis.

• Choose strong contrast: A light grey font on a white background might look sleek, but it’s tough to read. Make sure your text stands out clearly from the background.

Good formatting doesn’t just help people with dyslexia—it makes your content feel more polished and professional for everyone.

You Don’t Have to Start from Scratch

Making your website accessible doesn’t mean tearing everything down and starting over. Small changes go a long way.

For example, you can use CSS to adjust fonts, increase spacing, or even add an option for users to enable a “dyslexia-friendly mode.” If coding isn’t your thing, tools like the UserWay Accessibility Widget make this process easy. These widgets let visitors adjust text size, spacing, and contrast based on their needs, all without requiring permanent changes to your site.

The goal isn’t to force accessibility features on everyone—it’s to empower users to customize their experience. And that’s a win-win for you and your audience.

Why Accessibility Benefits Everyone

When you make your site accessible, you’re not just helping people with dyslexia—you’re improving the experience for everyone. Here’s how:

• You’ll reach more people: Millions of users with dyslexia will feel included and valued.

• You’ll boost usability: Clear, well-designed content is easier to read for everyone, regardless of ability.

• You’ll rank higher on search engines: Google prioritizes accessible websites, so you’ll get more visibility.

• You’ll build trust and loyalty: When people see that you’ve made an effort to include them, they’re more likely to stick around and engage.

In today’s digital landscape, accessibility isn’t a bonus—it’s a necessity.

Small Tweaks, Big Results

At its core, creating a dyslexia-friendly website is about empathy. It’s about recognizing that small design choices can make a huge difference in someone’s experience. Start with the basics: experiment with fonts, improve your formatting, and use tools that let users adjust your content to their needs.

The ultimate goal? A website that feels open and easy to use for everyone, regardless of their abilities. When you make these changes, you’re doing more than improving usability—you’re building a space where people feel welcome and supported.

So why not start today? With just a few tweaks, you can make your web design more inclusive, thoughtful, and impactful. Your audience—and your future self—will thank you.

FAQs on Dyslexia-Friendly Fonts and Web Accessibility

1. Why is it important to use dyslexia-friendly fonts?

Using dyslexia-friendly fonts helps create a more inclusive web experience by reducing the challenges faced by people with dyslexia. These fonts improve readability, making your website more accessible to the millions of users who may otherwise struggle to engage with your content.

2. What are the best fonts for people with dyslexia?

Some of the most effective fonts for dyslexic readers include:

• Dyslexie Font: Designed specifically for people with dyslexia.

• Open Dyslexic: Free and open-source, with weighted bottoms for improved letter stability.

• Comic Sans: Its unique letterforms and generous spacing make it helpful for many dyslexic users.

• Verdana and Arial: Clean sans-serif fonts with wide spacing.

• Calibri: A modern font that combines readability and style.

3. Do I need to completely redesign my website to make it accessible?

Not at all! Small changes, like switching to dyslexia-friendly fonts, increasing line spacing, and offering a toggle for a “dyslexia mode,” can make a big impact without requiring a full redesign. Tools like CSS adjustments or accessibility widgets can help you seamlessly integrate these features.

4. Are dyslexia-friendly fonts only beneficial for people with dyslexia?

No! While these fonts are specifically designed to help dyslexic readers, they enhance the readability of your website for everyone. Clean, well-spaced fonts improve the user experience for all visitors, including those without disabilities.

5. What formatting tips can help improve readability for dyslexic readers?

Here are a few formatting best practices:

• Use font sizes of 12–14 points for body text.

• Increase line spacing to at least 1.5x.

• Avoid italics or underlines; use bold for emphasis instead.

• Ensure strong contrast between text and background colors.

6. Can I add accessibility features to my website without coding?

Yes! Tools like the UserWay Accessibility Widget allow you to offer customizable features, like dyslexia-friendly fonts, larger text sizes, and better contrast, without requiring any coding knowledge.

7. How does making my website accessible benefit my business?

An accessible website can:

• Reach a broader audience, including millions of people with dyslexia.

• Improve your SEO rankings, as search engines prioritize accessible sites.

• Boost user satisfaction and engagement.

• Build trust and loyalty by showing your commitment to inclusivity.

8. What’s the difference between dyslexia-friendly fonts and regular fonts?

Dyslexia-friendly fonts are designed with features like:

• Unique letter shapes to prevent confusion between similar letters (e.g., "b" and "d").

• Extra spacing between letters and words to reduce visual crowding.

• Weighted bottoms to help stabilize letters visually.

Regular fonts may lack these intentional design elements, making reading harder for dyslexic users.

9. Can I test the effectiveness of dyslexia-friendly fonts on my website?

Absolutely! Gather feedback from users with dyslexia to understand what works best for them. You can also run accessibility audits or user experience tests to evaluate how well your site supports diverse readers.

10. Is accessibility required by law?

In many regions, yes. Laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) outline requirements for web accessibility. Adhering to these standards can help you avoid legal issues while fostering a more inclusive online environment.