How to Add a Color Overlay to Any Website

Learn how to use Helperbird's add a color overlay to any website. Complete guide for improving web accessibility and reading support.

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What is a Color Overlay?

A color overlay adds a transparent colored layer on top of the entire webpage. It is like looking through a sheet of colored plastic or glass.

Many people find that a tinted overlay reduces the harsh contrast of black text on white backgrounds. This can make text appear calmer and easier to read.


Who is This For?

This feature is helpful for:

  • People with dyslexia who benefit from colored overlays
  • Anyone with Irlen Syndrome or visual stress
  • People who find bright white screens uncomfortable
  • Anyone who experiences eye strain or headaches when reading online
  • Students who need to read for long periods

Step 1: Open Helperbird

Click the Helperbird icon in your browser toolbar. It looks like a small owl and is usually in the top-right corner of your browser.

This will open the Helperbird menu.


Step 2: Open the All Features Section

Scroll down to the bottom of the Helperbird menu. You will see a section called All Features.

Click the arrow next to All Features to expand it and show all available features.


Step 3: Find Dyslexia Support

Look through the list of features until you see Dyslexia support.

It has a purple icon with a brain symbol on it.


Step 4: Open Dyslexia Support

Click on Dyslexia support to open it.

A panel will appear with two tabs at the top: Tools and Settings.

Make sure the Tools tab is selected. This is where you will find the Overlay toggle.


Step 5: Turn on Overlay

In the Tools tab, look for Overlay.

Click the toggle switch next to it to turn it on. The toggle will turn green when it is enabled.

A colored tint will immediately appear over the entire webpage.


Step 6: Customize the Overlay

To adjust the overlay color and intensity, click on the Settings tab at the top of the panel.

Here you can choose different colors and adjust how strong the overlay appears.


Overlay Settings

In the Settings tab, you can customize the following:

  • Color – Choose a color for the overlay. Popular choices include yellow, blue, pink, and green. Different colors work better for different people, so try a few to find what is most comfortable for you.

  • Brightness – Adjust how strong the overlay is. A lower brightness makes the overlay more transparent, while a higher brightness makes the color more intense.

Tip: Many people with dyslexia or Irlen Syndrome find that certain specific colors work best for them. If you have worked with a specialist who recommended a particular overlay color, you can match it here. Try different colors and brightness levels to find what feels most comfortable for your eyes.


Video Tutorial


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.

What People Are Saying

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 User

A Google User

Helperbird user

Making such an useful tool, replying to every single comment or review and giving support to people's issues as soon as possible?? Carefully, he is a hero.

Martin Bui

Martin Bui

Helperbird user

This extension has been an absolute lifesaver. I have that fantastic combo of ADHD and Dyslexia while trying to go through college. I have difficulty keeping letters in order, seeing the gaps between words, and with ADHD on top, I lose focus A LOT. The immersive reader has been my new best friend. It drowns out the rest of the content on the page, changes the font to something I can read, and highlights the word as it reads to me. My eyes are forced to keep going in the right direction. I can slow down and pay attention to what I'm reading. I don't even have to go back and read the same paragraph 5 times to understand it! The screen overlay has been outstanding for eye strain and being able to distinguish between words and spaces. The custom font and spacing for research articles have been an enormous advantage! I can actually read the research papers now and not have this daunting 2 column fine print page to squint over.All around, this has been the best purchase I've ever had. I use this every day, with every assignment. I don't even struggle with story-based questions anymore. The immersive reader helps me read, listen, and understand the question all at once. I am still exploring what I can use this with and how it can make my academic career, and I keep getting impressed with every new way I find to use it. Seriously, try it out. You won't regret it at all. Even if you don't have dyslexia or ADHD, just try it out. You might find that it helps you understand the content you're trying to learn even better!

Mason Hunter

Mason Hunter

Helperbird user

It's been a great help. Im very happy I made the switch.

Gregory Arnold

Gregory Arnold

Helperbird user

It's just a one-stop solution if I want to customize my page. With very good UI design.

g2.com review

g2.com review

Verified User in Design

Great features on the free side.

bookmouse

bookmouse

Helperbird user

Helperbird logo: Stylized owl with large yellow eyes and a beige face, against a green background.

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