SPEED READING EXTENSION · CHROME & EDGE
Speed Reading in Chrome.
Without Breaking the Page.
HalfBold Reader gives you three ways to read faster: half-bold word emphasis on any webpage, an RSVP reader that shows one word at a time, and a guided pacer. Its default Classic engine works on almost any page, and the optional Modern engine paints emphasis without rewriting the page, so complex web apps keep working.
On a phone? Open this page on your computer to install.
THREE SPEED READING MODES
Half-bold, RSVP or pacer: which one to use?
Each mode suits a different kind of reading. You can switch at any time and combine half-bold emphasis with the other two.
| Mode | What it does | Best for | Where it works | Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half-bold word emphasis | Bolds the first letters of each word on the page you are already reading. | Articles, docs, email and long webpages | Any webpage, Reader, PDF and Google Docs readers | Free |
| RSVP (one word at a time) | Flashes 1–3 words at a fixed focus point with the optimal recognition letter in red; pauses on punctuation. | Short bursts of fast reading without moving your eyes | Selected text on any page (right-click), Reader and PDF toolbars | Free: 500 words per launch · Pro: unlimited |
| Guided reading pacer | A highlight moves by word, chunk, line or paragraph at the WPM you set, without rewriting the page. | Keeping a steady pace and not losing your line in long documents | Reader and PDF reader | HalfBold Pro |
RSVP keyboard controls
Space plays or pauses, ←/→ jump by sentence, ↑/↓ change speed by 25 WPM and Esc closes the reader. To start on any webpage, select text and choose "Speed read selection (RSVP)" from the right-click menu.
Pacer keyboard controls
Alt+P plays or pauses the pacer, [ and ] change speed by 25 WPM, and Esc stops it. Click any word to jump there; the pacer pauses when you scroll yourself.
Reading speed and comprehension vary from person to person; these tools help you practise and stay on track but do not guarantee a specific WPM.
Two rendering engines for webpages
Half-bold emphasis on live webpages runs on one of two engines, so it works on static blogs and on complex web apps alike.
Classic Anchor Mode
Wraps the opening letters of each word in the page itself, so emphasis works on almost any article, doc or blog, with the strongest contrast and full font control.
- Deep typographic control: Allows physical font switching to OpenDyslexic.
- Works almost everywhere: Static articles, documentation, newsletters and blogs.
- Fine-tuned letter weights: Supports customized character fixation depths.
Modern CSS Paint Mode
Leverages the Chromium CSS Custom Highlight API to paint bold fixation anchors directly on screen pixels without touching the underlying HTML DOM tree.
- Zero DOM mutations: Leaves the page's HTML untouched, which suits React, Vue or Angular apps.
- Zero layout shift: Scrolling remains silky smooth at native monitor refresh rate.
- Live Gmail & Slack feeds: Dynamic messages render instantaneously.
Engineered Around Natural Eye Saccades
The human eye doesn’t scan smoothly along lines; it jumps from one fixation point to another in rapid saccadic movements. HalfBold Reader emphasizes the opening letters of each word so every jump lands on a clear anchor, which many readers find makes it easier to keep their place.
Your brain recognizes words faster when the visual anchor pulls your focus forward.
Each word gets a visual landmark for your next eye movement.
Try HalfBold Speed Reading for Free
Install the extension in seconds. Half-bold emphasis is free on every site, and RSVP gives you 500 free words per launch.
Free webpage tools · No account needed
On a phone? Open this page on your computer to install.
Questions
How many words can I speed read for free with RSVP?
Free users get the first 500 words of the text each time they launch the RSVP reader. HalfBold Pro (planned, not on sale yet) removes the limit.
What reading speeds does RSVP support?
You can set any speed from 100 to 1,000 words per minute. RSVP also pauses briefly on punctuation and long words so sentences stay readable.
What is the difference between the Classic and Modern engines?
Classic, the default, wraps the opening letters of each word in the page itself and works on almost any article. Modern is optional: it paints the emphasis with the CSS Custom Highlight API without changing the page, which suits complex web apps such as Gmail or Notion.