Skip to main content

How to Open Reading Mode from the Floating Toolbar

Learn how to strip a cluttered web page back to just the article with Reading Mode, straight from Helperbird's floating toolbar.

·

  • features
  • reading

What This Does

Reading Mode takes away the menus, adverts and sidebars and leaves the article, on a clean background, with an estimate of how long it will take to read.


Who is This For?

This is helpful for:

  • Anyone trying to read an article buried in adverts
  • People who find movement and clutter distracting
  • Students reading on a busy news or reference site
  • Anyone who wants to know how long a page will take before starting

Step 1: Open the Toolbar

If the toolbar is closed, it sits in the bottom-left corner as a single round button. Click it to open the row of tools.

The Helperbird floating toolbar open along the bottom of a web page, showing its row of tools

If you do not see it at all, it needs turning on first. See how to turn on the floating toolbar.


Step 2: Use It

Press Reading Mode on the toolbar. The page is rebuilt as a clean article.

Close it with the X in the top corner to go back to the normal page.

A web page opened in Reading Mode from the Helperbird floating toolbar, stripped back to just the article

Inside Reading Mode you also get buttons to have it read aloud, translate it, and go full screen.


Need Additional Help?

If you have any questions or run into any issues, please contact the Helperbird support team. You can reach us at Helperbird support. We are happy to help you get the most out of Helperbird.

Printed from the Helperbird Help Center · Updated August 13th, 2026

Questions? We are happy to help — helperbird.com/support

Reviews from the Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons and G2

Join over 1,000,000 people who use Helperbird every day.

Wow what great tool, I love it! Keep up the excellent work. Add more fonts in the future and cant wait for the ios version!!
A Google UserHelperbird user

makes reading text heavy web page...

Helperbird offers a wide range of customization in one easy to navigate spot. Computers and dyslexia don't always mesh, the features like ruler makes reading text heavy web pages easier. Tech support is amazingly responsive should you need any help.
Fiona WrenHelperbird user
5* for the Dyslexia ruler!! Thanks
Olivia NguyenChrome user
Helperbird logo: a stylized owl with large round yellow eyes and a beige face.

Download Helperbird

Text to speech, dyslexia fonts, reading rulers, color overlays, and 43 more.

Free to add, and the everyday tools stay free. Works in Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari.