OpenDyslexic Font: Does It Actually Help? (Honest Review)
OpenDyslexic promises to fix reading — but does it? An honest look at what it does, who it genuinely helps, and 3 alternatives that often work better.
OpenDyslexic is probably the most well-known font designed for people with reading difficulties. It's free, open-source, and available on most platforms. But does it actually help?
The answer, as with most things related to reading, is: it depends on your brain.
Want to try it right now? Nook lets you switch to OpenDyslexic on any website in one click. Install the free Chrome extension, open any article, and see if it helps your eyes. Takes 30 seconds.
What Is OpenDyslexic?
OpenDyslexic is a typeface created by Abelardo Gonzalez, designed to increase readability for readers with dyslexia. Its most distinctive feature is weighted bottoms: the bottom of each letter is heavier than the top.
The theory behind this design:
- Prevents letter flipping: Letters like 'b' and 'd', or 'p' and 'q', are common confusion points for dyslexic readers. The weighted bottom makes each letter's orientation more obvious.
- Anchors letters: The heavier base is supposed to prevent the sensation of letters "floating" or "swimming" on the page.
- Unique shapes: Each letter has a distinct form, reducing confusion between similar characters.
What the Research Says
Here's where it gets complicated. The research on OpenDyslexic is mixed:
Studies showing benefit:
- A 2016 study found that some dyslexic readers reported subjective improvements in readability
- Users frequently report reduced eye strain and better comfort
- The font's unique character shapes do reduce letter confusion errors
Studies showing no significant effect:
- A 2013 study in the Annals of Dyslexia found no improvement in reading speed or accuracy
- A 2017 systematic review concluded there wasn't enough evidence to recommend dyslexia-specific fonts over well-designed standard fonts
- Researchers noted that increased letter spacing (which OpenDyslexic has) might account for most benefits, rather than the unique letter shapes
The nuance: Most studies test general populations or small groups. Individual responses vary enormously. What doesn't work on average might work brilliantly for you.
Who OpenDyslexic Actually Helps
Based on user reports and available research, OpenDyslexic tends to help most when you experience:
- Letter reversal confusion: mixing up b/d, p/q, or similar letters
- Text "swimming": letters appearing to float or move on the page
- Letter crowding issues: difficulty distinguishing letters in tight spacing
- Reading anxiety: the font's informal appearance can reduce the pressure of "serious" text
It tends to be less helpful for:
- General reading speed: most studies show no speed improvement
- Comprehension: understanding isn't typically affected by font choice
- Eye tracking issues: the font doesn't address line-tracking problems
- Attention difficulties: focus issues require different interventions
Alternatives Worth Trying
If OpenDyslexic doesn't work for you, several other fonts address reading difficulties differently:
Lexend
Designed by Dr. Bonnie Shaver-Troup based on reading fluency research. Optimized letter spacing reduces visual crowding without the distinctive look of OpenDyslexic. Many readers find it improves reading speed.
Atkinson Hyperlegible
Created by the Braille Institute for maximum character distinction. Every letter is uniquely shaped to prevent confusion. Less visually distinctive than OpenDyslexic, making it better for professional contexts.
Verdana
A standard font with naturally wide letter spacing and large x-height. Available everywhere, no installation needed. A good "neutral" option if specialized fonts feel too different.
Comic Sans
The internet's punching bag is actually helpful for many struggling readers. Its irregular letter shapes and casual appearance reduce both letter confusion and reading anxiety.
Nook includes all of these fonts. Switch between OpenDyslexic, Lexend, Atkinson Hyperlegible, and four others on any website — no downloads, no per-site settings. Find your font in under a minute.
How to Test If OpenDyslexic Works for You
Don't take anyone's word for it. Test it yourself:
The Comfort Test
1. Read a 500-word article in your normal font
2. Read a similar article in OpenDyslexic
3. Rate each on a 1-10 scale for comfort and effort
4. Repeat for 3 days to account for novelty effects
The Comprehension Test
1. Read an article in your normal font, then summarize it
2. Next day, read a similar article in OpenDyslexic, then summarize
3. Compare: which summary is more detailed and accurate?
The Fatigue Test
1. Read for 15 minutes in your normal font. Note how tired your eyes feel.
2. Next session, read for 15 minutes in OpenDyslexic. Compare fatigue levels.
Important: Give it at least a week. Any new font feels strange at first. The initial awkwardness doesn't mean it's not helping.
How to Use OpenDyslexic
On Any Website
Install Nook and select OpenDyslexic from the font options. It applies instantly to any article, EPUB, or PDF you import.
System-Wide
- macOS/Windows: Download from opendyslexic.org and install
- Chrome: Several extensions can override website fonts
- iOS/Android: Available as a system accessibility font
E-Readers
- Kindle: Not natively supported
- Kobo: Supports sideloaded fonts
- Nook (our app): Built-in support for EPUBs and PDFs
The Bottom Line
OpenDyslexic is a legitimate tool that helps real people. It's not magic, and it's not for everyone. The research is inconclusive, but individual experiences are often strongly positive.
If you struggle with reading and haven't tried it, you should. It's free, and the worst case is you spend 15 minutes discovering it's not for you.
The fastest way to find out: install Nook, open an article you actually need to read, switch to OpenDyslexic, and read for two minutes. If the letters feel more stable and the text stops swimming, you've found your font. If not, try Lexend or Atkinson Hyperlegible in the same session — one of them usually clicks.
For more font options, read our guide to the best fonts for easier reading. And if fonts alone aren't enough, explore Nook's full toolkit: fonts, backgrounds, spacing, chunking, and autopace all working together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does OpenDyslexic actually help with reading?
For some people, yes, particularly those with dyslexia or visual processing challenges. The weighted letter bottoms create visual anchors that reduce the "swimming" sensation many readers experience. However, research is mixed: some studies show no universal benefit, while individual reports are often strongly positive. The effect is very personal. The best approach is to test it yourself for at least a week, since any new font feels odd at first. Try it on any webpage with Nook — free 7-day trial, no credit card.
Is OpenDyslexic free to use?
Yes. OpenDyslexic is completely free and open-source. You can download it from opendyslexic.org for system-wide use, or apply it to any website using browser extensions like Nook. There's no paid version; the font itself will always be free.
What are the best alternatives to OpenDyslexic?
The top alternatives are Lexend (research-backed, optimized letter spacing for reading fluency), Atkinson Hyperlegible (maximum distinction between similar characters, created by the Braille Institute), and Verdana (wide spacing, designed specifically for screen readability). Lexend is the strongest all-around choice if OpenDyslexic doesn't work for you. It was specifically engineered to improve reading speed and comprehension. Nook includes all of these fonts so you can switch between them on any webpage.
Font choice is one of several tools that make online reading easier. For the full toolkit, from autopace to chunking to background adjustments, see our complete guide to why reading online feels so hard.
Related reading:
- Best Fonts for ADHD Reading: 7 That Actually Help: the full guide to accessible reading fonts
- Lexend vs Atkinson Hyperlegible: Which Is Better?: a detailed comparison of the two most recommended accessible fonts
- Why Do Words Jump, Swim, or Blur When I Read?: every cause of text movement and 8 fixes that work
- Lexend vs Atkinson Hyperlegible: Which Is Better?: side-by-side comparison of the two top reading fonts
- Why Reading Online Feels So Hard: fonts are one piece of the bigger reading puzzle