- Reading view eliminates distractions and allows you to customize font, size, spacing, and theme.
- Chrome offers a side panel Reading mode with text-to-speech and voice control.
- Firefox and Edge enable reading from the address bar with clear icons and quick settings.
If you're annoyed by articles cluttered with banners, sticky menus, and blocks that add nothing, reading view will be a lifesaver. This mode simplifies each page, putting the relevant text and images front and center—especially useful when a website is poorly designed or uses unsuitable templates. The goal is for you to focus on the content without distractions. and in a format that won't strain your eyes.
The idea is the same in most major browsers, but the names, access points, and options vary. In some cases, the function is readily available, while in others, you'll need to use advanced settings or extensions. Below you will see, step by step, how to activate reading mode in Chrome, Firefox, and EdgeAnd what does Safari and even Internet Explorer 11 offer, with Tricks to customize font, theme, spacing, and even have the browser read the article aloud to you.
What is reading sight and why is it worth it?
Reading view modifies the page layout to prioritize the article you're interested in, removing distracting elements such as sidebars, ads, or embedded videos that play automatically. In addition, it allows you to adjust font size, typeface, line spacing, and contrast so that each person can find their comfortable reading position.
Modern websites generally adapt well to any device, but they don't always get readability right. With reading view, the browser generates a clean version of the text and can add extra features, such as light and dark themes, or text-to-speech. Ultimately, it transforms any news article or post into a much more comfortable reading experience. both on desktop and mobile.
Google Chrome: all the ways to activate reading view
On computers, Chrome offers a built-in Reading mode that opens content in a side panel. To use it, go to a page with text, right-click on the page background, and choose the "Open in Reading mode" option. The article will appear in the sidebar in a simplified format. so you can read without discomfort.
You can enlarge this panel by dragging its edge to the left until it's comfortable to use. If you like to keep it readily accessible, pin it using the corresponding button in the upper right corner of the panel ("Pin to toolbar"). Once set, you can open Reading mode from the toolbar whenever you want.without needing to use the right-click button every time.
Within the panel, you'll see a set of controls to customize the text to your liking and customize the appearance of Chrome: font types, size, line spacing, letter spacing and color theme. If you don't see all the options, tap "More" to expand those that don't fit in the bar.especially on small screens or if you have a very narrow window.
Chrome also integrates text-to-speech in this mode. Just press "Play" and the browser will read the article aloud. You can choose the voice and adjust the speed from the Reading Mode controls. Chrome will automatically download natural voices from Google for your language; if the download fails, it will use the system voice available on your computer.
An important detail: the settings you apply in Reading mode only affect the text displayed in the side panel, not the rest of Chrome or the original site. This means you won't modify the website, only your reading experience in that panel.which is ideal if you alternate between clean reading and normal browsing.
Accessibility: If you use a screen reader and prefer not to use the panel's read-aloud function, you can navigate the content with keyboard shortcutsOn macOS, use VO + left arrow or VO + right arrow; on Windows o Linux, up/down arrow or Alt + up/down arrow; and on ChromeOS, Search + up arrow or Search + down arrow. These shortcuts make it easier to navigate the text in the panel without relying on the mouse..
Other methods and features you might be familiar with: For a long time, Chrome didn't explicitly display this mode, requiring experimental features or extensions. Some guides mention that on Windows, it could be enabled by adding "-enable-dom-distiller" to the Target field of the Chrome shortcut. That switch activated the distillation of pages for a clean reading experience., although it was an option designed for advanced users.
On mobile, many users have enabled Reader View using Chrome Flags. Type chrome://flags in the address bar, search for “Reader,” and change “Reader Mode Triggering” to “Always.” After clicking on “Relaunch” to restart the browserOn some pages, a "Make page mobile-friendly" button appeared at the end, which activated reading mode.
En AndroidAdditionally, there was a flag called “Contextual page actions – reader mode” which, when set to Enabled and combined with “Reader Mode Triggering: Always”, displayed a leaf-shaped icon near the address bar when the page was compatible. This quick access allowed users to enter and exit read mode. and, from the three-dot menu, adjust typography, size and theme (light, dark or sepia).
If you find that the icon sometimes doesn't appear, there's a trick that usually works: switch tabs or close and reopen Chrome. This is typical behavior of experimental functions that do not always activate on the first try.especially on websites with unconventional structures.
Prefer not to touch flags or tests? You can always use clean reading extensions, such as Just Read or Reader View. These extensions simplify the article and add style controls, with the advantage that you can activate them whenever you want from the browser toolbar, without depending on internal functions.
Mozilla Firefox: One-click reading view (desktop and Android)
In Firefox, reading view is readily available and works perfectly. When you open an article, look at the address bar: an icon shaped like a rectangle with horizontal lines appears. Pressing it activates Reading Viewcleaning up the page and showing only the essentials.
From this view, you can adjust text size, font, line spacing, and contrast. Additionally, Firefox includes text-to-speech and the ability to save content to Pocket for later reading. Everything is controlled from the buttons that appear on the "distilled" page itself., without the need for side panels.
On Android, Firefox maintains the same philosophy: when you enter an article you will see the corresponding icon in the address bar; when you tap it, the reading view is applied. You can also modify font, size and contrast on mobile devices. to adapt the display to your screen.
Safari: Reader mode on macOS, iPhone, and iPad
Safari offers a very comfortable reader mode, both in Mac as in iPhone y iPadOn macOS, the icon is located to the left of the address bar and displays four horizontal lines. With one click, the page transforms for distraction-free reading..
Once in reader mode on your Mac, use the icon with two "A"s to adjust the display: you can increase or decrease the font size, choose the background color, and switch between various fonts (up to eight options). Fine-tuning the appearance helps a lot if you read for long periods of time.especially on large screens.
On iPhone and iPad, you'll find the same functionality. When Safari detects an article, you'll see the Reader Mode icon in the address bar; tap it to activate it and use the "AA" button to adjust the size, font, and background. The experience is consistent between Mac and iOS/iPadOSSo you won't have to relearn anything when you switch devices.
Microsoft Edge: Reading View with themes and font size
Edge, the successor to the classic Internet Explorer, includes its own reading view. When you open a page with text, a book-shaped icon appears in the address bar. Clicking it causes the browser to reformat the article to make it easier to read.highlighting the content above all else.
At the top, you'll see a control bar that appears and disappears when you move your mouse or tap the screen. From there, you can change the font size and reading theme (light, dark, etc.). You can even print the cleaned-up content.Something practical if you need a paper without visual noise.
You now have all the ways to read without distractions: the side panel with text-to-speech and customization in Chrome; the Direct Reading View, with settings and Pocket, in Firefox; the precise controls of Safari on Mac and iPhone/iPad; and the Reading View of Edge that even lets you print clean, not forgetting the classic mode of IE 11. Activate reading view wherever it suits you best, adjust font, spacing and theme, and take ownership of your reading experience. both on desktop and mobile.
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