Best font for dyslexia: How to choose fonts that empower every reader

Reading is something many of us take for granted. 

But for people with dyslexia, it can feel like navigating a maze. The letters and words are difficult to decipher, and memory, coordination, and organization are affected, too.

Dyslexia affects up to 10% of the population and often makes reading slow, exhausting, and frustrating. Yet one of the simplest ways to support dyslexic readers is often overlooked: 

Font choice.

Typography affects how easily text can be decoded and understood. By choosing dyslexia-friendly fonts and applying thoughtful design practices, you can significantly improve reading experiences for people with dyslexia. 

In a moment, you’ll know why font selection matters, what formatting choices are easier to read, and what the best font for dyslexia is – so your digital content is more accessible. 

What is dyslexia, and how does it affect reading?

Dyslexia is a common neurological difference that affects the way the brain processes written and spoken language. It makes it difficult to recognize, decode, and accurately process words. This means reading, writing, and sometimes speaking can be a struggle.

Dyslexia appears differently in different people. For some, letters and words can appear jumbled, distorted, or upside down. But in general, dyslexics find it difficult to track lines of text and distinguish between similar-looking letters (like b/d or p/q). These obstacles not only reduce comprehension but also make reading mentally draining and frustrating.

Why font choice matters for people with dyslexia

Font choice can be a game-changer for dyslexic readers – making a massive difference to their reading experience. Fonts and typography with certain characteristics can reduce cognitive load, improve readability, and make it easier to distinguish between letters.

By using more accessible fonts, designers, educators, and content creators can remove unnecessary barriers and make their content more accessible.

Key features of dyslexia-friendly fonts

Not all fonts are created equal – especially when it comes to supporting dyslexic readers. Dyslexia-friendly fonts share several key features that minimize confusion and improve readability:

• More spacing – Characters like b/d, p/q, and i/l are easily confused in many fonts. Consistent, even, generous spacing in between letters reduces visual crowding and can help make it easier for dyslexic readers to tell them apart.
• Unique sticks and tails – Because some letters are difficult for dyslexic readers to tell apart, ensuring letters have unique sticks and tails that vary in length helps with recognition.
• Larger size – A larger font size makes letters and words clearer, aiding comprehension.
• Simple, open shapes – Avoiding ornate strokes and unnecessary embellishments prevents letters from blending together or becoming visually overwhelming.
• Weighted bottoms – Adding heavier bottoms to letters helps anchor them on the line.
• Asymmetry – Fonts with asymmetrical letters make it easier to distinguish between commonly confused characters.
• Longer extenders – Extenders are the parts of a letter that extend above or below the line that letters sit on (e.g., p or b). Lengthening them makes each letter more distinct for easier recognition. 

Sans-serif vs. serif fonts: which is better for dyslexia?

When it comes to dyslexia-friendly typography, sans-serif fonts are generally the better choice. Sans-serif fonts –  like Arial, Verdana, and Open Sans – have clean, straightforward lines without the small decorative strokes (serifs) found in serif fonts. This minimalist design helps letters stand out more clearly from one another.

Serif fonts, on the other hand, can make reading harder for dyslexic individuals. The extra details in serifs often cause letters to blur together, increasing the likelihood of confusion and fatigue. 

How font size, spacing, and line height impact readability

Beyond font choice, how you format your text can make a big difference for dyslexic readers. Proper font size, spacing, and line height all help reduce visual stress,  making text easier to process:

• Font size – Larger text, typically 12 to 14 point,  improves readability by making letters more distinguishable.
• Letter spacing (tracking). Increasing the space between letters helps dyslexic readers avoid the crowding effect, where letters seem to run together. Aim for 35% of the average letter width, but be careful not to overdo it, as this can make text less easy to read.
• Word spacing. Slightly increasing the distance between words helps separate them visually, improving comprehension.
• Line height (leading). Increasing line spacing helps readers keep track more easily.
• Paragraph spacing. Adding space between paragraphs breaks text into manageable sections, improving comprehension and navigation through longer content.

Thoughtful adjustments to size and spacing don’t just benefit dyslexic readers; they improve readability and accessibility for everyone, creating a more inclusive and user-friendly experience.

Best fonts for dyslexia: top recommendations

So, what are the best fonts for dyslexia? Dyslexia manifests differently depending on the person, which means no one font will be perfect for everyone. 

That being said, some fonts are more likely to make the reading experience just that little bit easier for them. 

 Below you’ll find a list of recommended options:

• Arial – A clean, widely available sans-serif font with simple letterforms and generous spacing, making it easier to read than many serif fonts.
• Helvetica – A classic sans-serif font with clean, uniform strokes and minimal ornamentation, which can improve legibility for dyslexic readers. However, some find its tight spacing less ideal for longer pieces of text.
• Open Sans – Designed to be legible across different screen resolutions and sizes, Open Sans features clear letterforms and balanced spacing, making it easier for dyslexic readers to distinguish similar characters.
• Verdana – Like Open Sans, Verdana was designed for screen readability, especially for smaller screen resolutions and sizes. Its distinct letters and loose spacing are well-suited to dyslexic readers.
• Tahoma – Similar to Verdana but slightly narrower, Tahoma offers distinct letter shapes that improve character recognition, and is especially suited to formats where a lot of words need to fit into a smaller space.
• Calibri – With rounded, clear letters and generous spacing that can aid legibility, Calibri was designed to make longer pieces of text more readable.
• Century Gothic – A rounded sans-serif font with slightly larger aspects of lettering, it reduces the chances of letter confusion.
• Comic Sans – While often criticized for its informal appearance, Comic Sans’ irregular, clear letter shapes can actually benefit some dyslexic readers.
• Trebuchet – Also designed for easy screen readability, Trebuchet has strong, wide, distinct letterforms and clean lines for greater clarity. 

Custom dyslexia fonts: Do they really help?

Custom fonts designed specifically for dyslexia,  like OpenDyslexic and Dyslexie, aim to make the reading experience easier for those with the condition. 

These fonts use weighted bottoms to stabilize letters, exaggerated character shapes to enhance differentiation, and wider spacing to reduce visual crowding. 

But research on custom dyslexia fonts suggests they might not be effective, with some studies concluding that they offer no significant advantage over well-chosen, standard sans-serif fonts like Arial or Verdana. 

However, because of the highly subjective nature of dyslexia, individual preferences do seem to play a key role: what works well for one dyslexic reader might not help another.

Best practices for designing dyslexia-friendly text

As well as picking a legible font, there are some best practices to keep in mind which can help make text more dyslexia-friendly:

• Avoid all caps – Blocks of uppercase letters are harder to read and can slow comprehension for dyslexic readers.
• Limit italics and underlining – These styles distort letter shapes and can blur words, making them harder to decode.
• Choose high-contrast color schemes – Avoid low-contrast color combinations or busy backgrounds.
• Use left-aligned text – Avoid justified text, which creates uneven spacing that can disrupt reading flow.
• Keep structure clean and clear – Make sure your layouts are clean and uncluttered, avoiding columns, using consistent headings, adding plenty of white space, and including a table of contents for clear navigation.
• Use bullet points and short paragraphs – Breaking information into small, digestible chunks helps readers process and retain content.
• Write for clarity – Use simple language with shorter sentences in the active voice, and avoid double negatives. 
• Provide adjustable text – Where possible, allow users to customize font size, spacing, and color schemes to suit their individual needs. You can do this with our WayWidget.

How to test and optimize fonts for dyslexic readers

When it comes to dyslexia, typography isn’t one-size-fits-all. The best approach is to test different fonts to ensure your design supports the needs of dyslexic users. 

Here’s how to approach testing:

• Gather feedback from dyslexic users – The most valuable insights come directly from people with dyslexia. Share prototypes or sample pages and ask about their reading comfort, speed, and comprehension.
• Run readability tests – Readability testing tools can help you assess overall text complexity, but remember that these don’t evaluate font choice. Pair them with user testing for a complete picture.
• Use screen readers and assistive technology – Test your design with popular assistive tools to ensure compatibility and a smooth experience for all users.
• Continuously improve – Apply feedback and test results to refine your typography and layouts, balancing accessibility with your brand’s style.

By actively testing and optimizing your content, you demonstrate a genuine commitment to accessibility, giving dyslexic readers the support they need to engage confidently with your content.

From frustration to comfort

The right typography can make the difference between a frustrating reading experience and a comfortable one. By understanding how dyslexia affects reading, choosing supportive fonts, and applying best practices when setting out your content, you can create an experience that’s inclusive, accessible, and more enjoyable for your audience.

Designing with dyslexic users in mind is a commitment to cognitive accessibility, benefiting millions of people worldwide. And, given that it will widen your audience reach,  it’ll benefit your business too.