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How to use reading mode in Chrome

4 minute read · updated October 28, 2026

6 sources: 3 peer-reviewed research, 3 product documentation

On a computer, right-click a web page in Chrome and select Open in reading mode, or press Alt + Shift + R on Windows, Linux and ChromeOS (Command + Option + R on Mac). Inside it, Settings lets you pick a typeface, colors, line height and letter spacing, and Play speaks the page with word or sentence highlighting.

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Chrome's reading mode shows the main text of a page in a plain, full-screen view, with your choice of typeface, size and colors. On a computer it can also read the text aloud, with a choice of voice and speed, and adjust line and letter spacing.[1] It suits long articles, recipes buried under ads, and any page where the layout gets in the way.

Open reading mode

Turn on reading mode in Chrome on a computer

  1. Open Chrome and go to a page with text you want to read.
  2. Right-click the page and select Open in reading mode. A full-screen reading view opens.[1]
  3. To use a side panel instead, select Settings > View, then choose Side panel. Chrome remembers your choice.
  4. To keep it one click away, select Settings > Pin reading mode, then use the Reading mode button on the toolbar.[1]

Google lists other ways in: the Reading mode icon in the address bar; More > More tools > Reading mode; or the keyboard shortcut, which is Command + Option + R on a Mac and Alt + Shift + R on Windows, Linux and ChromeOS.[1]

Settings worth trying

Select Font size at the top right to make text bigger or smaller, or Reset to go back. Under Settings, Google lists these options:[1]

  • Color theme: change the background and text colors.
  • Font: pick a different typeface.
  • Line height: change the space between lines.
  • Letter spacing: change the space between letters.
  • Links and Images: hide or show them. Links are visible by default.[1]

Listen with read aloud

Have reading mode read the page

  1. Open reading mode, then select Play at the top right.[1]
  2. Select Pause to stop, and Previous or Next to jump to the start of a sentence.
  3. Select Playback speed to go faster or slower.
  4. Go to Settings > Voice selection to preview and choose a voice, or add a language.[1]
  5. Go to Settings > Voice highlight and choose Adaptive highlighting, Word, Sentence or Off.[1]

Google says reading mode downloads Google natural voices for your current language automatically, and falls back to your system voice if the download fails.[1]

Troubleshooting

  • Reading mode is missing or blank. Update Chrome to the latest version. If the text you want does not appear, highlight it on the original page, which Google says can trigger reading mode to show it.[1]
  • It does not work on this page. Google says reading mode is not compatible with all sites, and may not work on image galleries, interactive maps, forms, quizzes, payment pages or login screens.[1]
  • Reading mode opens when you did not ask for it. Another app, such as a voice control tool, may use the same keyboard shortcut. Change the shortcut in that app.[1]
  • Your settings do not carry over to the normal page. That is expected: Google says these settings apply only to text shown in reading mode.[1]

If a page will not open in reading mode, copying its text into the focus reader gets you a spoken, line-at-a-time version instead. For very long text, the section splitter breaks it into checkable parts.

Quick answers

What is the Chrome reading mode shortcut?

Google lists Command + Option + R on a Mac and Alt + Shift + R on Windows, Linux and ChromeOS.[1]

Can Chrome highlight words as it reads?

Yes. In reading mode, go to Settings > Voice highlight and choose Adaptive highlighting, Word or Sentence.[1]

Is there reading mode in Chrome on Android?

Google's reading mode page describes the computer version. On Android, Chrome offers Listen to this page from the More menu, and Google also offers a separate Reading mode app.[2][6]

Review status

Source-checked, not expert-reviewed

Drafted with AI assistance. Each factual claim was checked against the source it links to on 2026-10-28. No clinician, psychologist or dyslexia specialist has reviewed this page. See the claims register.

Sources

  1. [1]Use reading mode in Chrome. Google Chrome Help. Accessed 2026-10-28. Product documentation
  2. [2]Use Listen to this page mode in Chrome (Android). Google Chrome Help. Accessed 2026-10-28. Product documentation
  3. [3]Dyslexie font does not benefit reading in children with or without dyslexia. Kuster SM, van Weerdenburg M, Gompel M, Bosman AMT. Annals of Dyslexia 68(1):25-42. doi:10.1007/s11881-017-0154-6, 2018. Accessed 2026-10-28. Peer-reviewed research
  4. [4]The effect of a specialized dyslexia font, OpenDyslexic, on reading rate and accuracy. Wery JJ, Diliberto JA. Annals of Dyslexia 67(2):114-127. doi:10.1007/s11881-016-0127-1, 2017. Accessed 2026-10-28. Peer-reviewed research
  5. [5]Does use of text-to-speech and related read-aloud tools improve reading comprehension for students with reading disabilities? A meta-analysis. Wood SG, Moxley JH, Tighe EL, Wagner RK. Journal of Learning Disabilities 51(1):73-84. doi:10.1177/0022219416688170, 2018. Accessed 2026-10-28. Peer-reviewed research
  6. [6]Get started with Reading mode on Android. Google Accessibility Help. Accessed 2026-10-28. Product documentation

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