Reading Aid: A Customizable Text Reader for Easier Reading
Reading Aid is a free online reading aid that reshapes any text for comfort and clarity. Paste or type what you want to read, then dial in the font, size, spacing, and background color until the words feel easy on your eyes.
On top of the display controls, three visual reading aids help you stay on track: a reading ruler that highlights one line at a time, a focus mode that dims everything except the paragraph you choose, and bionic reading that bolds the start of each word. Add hands-free auto-scroll and you have a tailored reader for dyslexia, visual stress, or anyone who simply wants a calmer way to read.
Who Reading Aid Is For
Readers with dyslexia
Switch to the OpenDyslexic font, widen the spacing, and pick a tinted background to make letters easier to tell apart.
Anyone with visual fatigue
Off-white themes like Cream or a dark Night theme cut glare, while larger text and looser spacing ease long reading sessions.
Low-vision readers
High-contrast themes (HC Dark, HC Light, and Amber) push text and background as far apart as possible for maximum legibility.
Students and focused readers
Use focus mode and auto-scroll to work through long articles or study material with fewer distractions.
How to Use Reading Aid
Reading Aid has two modes: an input screen where you enter text, and a reading screen with all the customization controls.
Add your text
Type directly, use the Paste button to pull from your clipboard, or click Sample Text to load an example.
Start reading
Click Start Reading (or press Ctrl + Enter) to switch into reading mode with your text laid out.
Customize the display
Adjust the Text Size with the - and + buttons, choose a Spacing preset, pick a Font, and select a color Theme.
Turn on reading aids
From the Reading Aids controls, toggle the Ruler, Focus, or Bionic reading, and start Auto-scroll if you want hands-free reading.
Go back anytime
Click Back to return to the input screen and read something new. Your settings stay saved for next time.
Features
Adjustable Text Size
Step the font size from 12px up to 36px with the - and + buttons. The current size shows between them for quick reference.
Three Spacing Presets
Compact, Normal, and Wide each adjust line height, letter spacing, word spacing, and column width together for easier tracking.
Five Fonts Including OpenDyslexic
Choose Arial, Verdana, Georgia, Comic Sans, or OpenDyslexic, whose weighted letter bottoms help prevent letter-flipping confusion.
Eleven Color Themes
Pick from light tints (Cream, Blue, Green, Peach, Yellow, White) and dark themes (Dark, Night), each with a live color preview.
High-Contrast Themes
HC Dark (yellow on black), HC Light (black on white), and Amber (amber on dark) give low-vision readers maximum clarity.
Reading Ruler
A horizontal guide highlights one line while dimming the rest. Drag it with the mouse or use the up and down arrow keys.
Focus Mode
Dims every paragraph to low opacity, then brings the one you click into full view so you can concentrate on one section.
Bionic Reading
Bolds the beginning of each word to create visual anchor points that can help your eyes move through text faster.
Auto-Scroll
Hands-free reading with five speed levels. Scrolling stops automatically once you reach the end of the text.
Settings Saved Locally
Your font, size, spacing, and theme are remembered in your browser and restored on your next visit. No account needed.
Keyboard Friendly
Press Ctrl+Enter to start reading and use the arrow keys to nudge the reading ruler line by line.
Responsive and Accessible
Controls adapt to phones and tablets, and touch gestures work with both the reading ruler and focus mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is bionic reading and how does it work?
Bionic reading bolds the first part of each word, creating visual anchor points your brain can latch onto. The idea is that these fixation points let your eyes recognize each word from its strongest letters, so reading feels smoother. Toggle it on with the Bionic button in the Reading Aids controls.
Does bionic reading actually help reading speed?
Results vary from person to person. Many readers say the bolded anchors help them move through text more quickly and stay focused, while others find no difference. It costs nothing to try, so turn Bionic on for a few paragraphs and see whether it suits how you read.
Is bionic reading good for ADHD or dyslexia?
Some people with ADHD or dyslexia find the bolded word-starts help them keep their place and reduce skimming. Reading Aid combines bionic reading with other dyslexia-friendly options like the OpenDyslexic font, wider spacing, and tinted backgrounds, so you can layer the aids that work for you. It is a reading-comfort tool, not a medical treatment.
What is a reading ruler and how do you use it?
The reading ruler places a clear horizontal window over the text and dims everything above and below it, so only the line you are reading stands out. Turn it on with the Ruler button, then drag the window with your mouse or finger, or use the up and down arrow keys to move it line by line. It helps readers who tend to lose their place or skip lines.
What font is best for dyslexia?
Many readers with dyslexia prefer OpenDyslexic, a free typeface whose letters have weighted bottoms and distinct shapes to reduce confusion between similar characters like b, d, p, and q. Reading Aid loads it automatically when you select it. Plain sans-serif fonts such as Arial and Verdana also work well for some people, so it is worth comparing a few.
Why are tinted or off-white backgrounds easier to read?
Pure white can cause glare and visual fatigue, especially during long reading. Softer off-white and gently tinted backgrounds lower that contrast and are more comfortable for many readers, including those with visual stress. Reading Aid offers Cream, Blue, Green, Peach, and Yellow tints, plus dark themes, so you can find a shade that feels restful.
Which spacing preset should I choose?
Pick whichever feels most comfortable. Compact fits more text on screen, Normal is a balanced default, and Wide opens up line height, letter spacing, and word spacing, which many readers with dyslexia find easiest. Each preset also adjusts the column width to keep lines a readable length.
Can I use auto-scroll for hands-free reading?
Yes. Click the play button to start automatic scrolling and use the slower and faster controls to set one of five speed levels. Auto-scroll stops on its own when you reach the end, and you can pause anytime. It works best with longer text that extends beyond the screen.
Are my settings saved, and is my text private?
Your font, size, spacing, and theme are saved in your browser and restored next time, with no account required. As for your text, everything is processed locally in the browser. It is never sent to a server, stored, or logged, so whatever you read with Reading Aid stays on your device.
Can I use Reading Aid on mobile?
Yes. Reading Aid is fully responsive, so the controls adapt to phones and tablets. Touch gestures work with both the reading ruler, which you can drag with a finger, and focus mode, where you tap a paragraph to bring it into focus.
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