Reading can be a challenge for people with dyslexia, but small adjustments to text and layout can make a meaningful difference. One free and accessible option is a dyslexia friendly font, designed to reduce the visual confusion that can come with standard typefaces.
In this guide, we walk through what a dyslexia friendly font is, why it helps, and how to install one on your device in a few simple steps.
What is a dyslexia friendly font?
A dyslexia friendly font is designed with features that ease reading for people with dyslexia. The most widely used free option is OpenDyslexic, which uses heavier weighted bottoms on each letter to clearly anchor its orientation. This helps readers quickly identify the correct letter and reduces the risk of letters appearing to flip or rotate.
Each character also has a distinct shape, which helps prevent common reading challenges such as swapping or misreading similar-looking letters. Together, these design choices support a smoother, more confident reading experience.
Why use a dyslexia friendly font in your documents?
Many people first encounter dyslexia friendly fonts through education apps or specialist software, but you can apply them in everyday programs including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Google Docs.
This means teachers, parents and students can make worksheets, presentations and reading materials more accessible without specialist software or significant cost. It is a simple, practical step toward a more inclusive reading environment.
For those looking for broader, built-in dyslexia support, tools like Read&Write go further, offering literacy support, in-built text-to-speech, reading aids and writing scaffolding that work across subjects and devices.
How to install OpenDyslexic, a free dyslexia friendly font
Step 1: Download the font
Visit www.OpenDyslexic.org and click “Download Now” to access the download page. You will see several font variations available, including bold and italic. Clicking download will save a zipped folder containing all versions to your device.
Step 2: Unzip the folder
Once downloaded, open the zipped folder to view the full list of font files inside.
Step 3: Install the font
Double-click any font file to open a preview. Click the Install button in the viewer to add that font variation to your computer.
Step 4: Use it in your applications
The font will now appear in the font selector within common desktop applications including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Google Docs. Simply select OpenDyslexic from your font list as you would any other typeface.
Going further with dyslexia support
A dyslexia friendly font is one useful tool, but it works best alongside other forms of support. At Everway, we take a neuroinclusion-first approach, building education software and workplace tools that remove literacy barriers rather than placing the weight of adjustment on the individual.
Read&Write provides text-to-speech, word prediction, grammar checking and study support, all designed to help dyslexic learners access and produce written content with greater independence. OrbitNote brings the same accessibility features to PDFs and digital documents, removing barriers that standard reading tools often leave in place.
Whether you are supporting a student in the classroom, a child at home or an employee in the workplace, our dyslexia solutions bring together practical tools built for real reading and writing challenges.
