Dyslexic Friendly Fonts – Do They Actually Help?

By Morgan Kimball

Have you heard of dyslexic-friendly fonts? Do they help individuals with dyslexia? We all know that dyslexia isn’t a visual problem but a language processing problem. Let’s dig a little deeper into dyslexic-friendly fonts. If dyslexia isn’t a visual problem, a font shouldn’t matter, right? Well, that’s true, there is no scientific evidence that proves dyslexic fonts help individuals with dyslexia read better or more accurately. But there’s no reason not to try different dyslexia-friendly fonts.

Some individuals with dyslexia say they found reading with a dyslexic font makes it more comfortable to read. Since everyone’s experience with dyslexia is unique, experimenting with different fonts may help.

What Makes a Font “Dyslexia-Friendly?”

A friendly dyslexia font is typically a Sans-Serif font with clear letter shapes, good shaping and often features slightly thicker strokes at the bottom of the letters.

Dyslexia-friendly fonts are specifically designed to increase readability and reduce common challenges like letter reversals, crowding, or blending of words. These fonts often share key design elements that make it easier to distinguish between letters and maintain focus while reading.

Key Characteristics

  • Sans-Serifs Design – Most dyslexia-friendly fonts are sans-serifs, meaning they lack decorative serifs on the ends of letters, making them easier to distinguish.
  • Clear Letter Shapes – Letters should have distinct features and not be easily confused with each other.
  • Adequate Letter Spacing – Sufficient space between letters help prevent crowding and confusion.
  • Consistent Stroke Weight – Some fonts may have slightly thicker bottoms to help with orientations, reducing the likelihood of flipping or rotating letters while reading.

Fonts to try:

There are many fonts that fit the characteristics of a dyslexic-friendly design. While some are specifically created for dyslexia and others are commonly used because of their readability. Here are some fonts to try:

  • OpenDyslexic
  • Arial
  • Verdana
  • Calibri
  • Helvetica
  • Century Gothic

Do Dyslexia-Friendly Fonts Actually Help?

Although dyslexia is not a vision problem, the way text is presented can influence how easy or difficult it is to read. While dyslexic-friendly fonts don’t “cure” dyslexia, they can reduce visual stress and make reading a smoother experience for some individuals. Factors like font choice, line spacing, and background color can all impact readability.

It’s important to remember that every dyslexic individual is different—what works well for one person may not work for another. The best approach is to try different fonts and see which ones feel most comfortable. If a certain font makes reading easier, even if it’s just by reducing frustration, then it’s worth considering!

Additional Tips for Improving Readability

While choosing the right font is one way to improve readability, other adjustments can also help dyslexic readers:

  • Use Larger Text Sizes – Increasing font size can make letters easier to distinguish.
  • Increase Line Spacing – More space between lines of text reduces visual clutter.
  • Avoid Italics and All Caps – Italicized and capitalized text can be harder to read.
  • Use Colored Backgrounds – Some dyslexic readers find that softer background colors (like pastel shades) reduce glare and make text easier to process.