FocalReader – ADHD Focus Reader

Tracking since Apr 1, 2026.

Changelog

• Jun 8, 2026
  description

  A focus reading tool that dims everything except where you're reading.
  Works on web pages and PDFs. Perfect for ADHD, dyslexia, or anyone who
  gets distracted.
  
  100% free. No accounts, no upsells, no premium tier.
  
  NEW IN v1.4.0
  Smart Window — element-aware focus that snaps to one paragraph, heading,
  or article at a time — is now free for everyone. Previously a Pro-only
  feature; now part of the default extension.
  
  KEY FEATURES
  
  - Smart Window: Element-aware focus that snaps to paragraphs, headings,
    and articles. Step through blocks with Shift+arrow keys. Works on both
    web pages and PDFs.
  - Follow Mouse Mode: The focus window follows your cursor as you read
  - Manual Mode: Position the focus window anywhere and drag to move it
    (on web pages)
  - Double-Tap Mode: On PDFs, double-click any paragraph to anchor focus
  - Full Width Mode: Spans the entire screen width for comfortable line
    reading
  - Auto Dim: Automatically increases dimming when you stop moving,
    creating a calm reading environment
  - Adjustable Size, Opacity, and Tint Color
  - Per-Site Pause: Disable on specific sites with one click
  
  PDF SUPPORT
  
  FocalReader replaces Chrome's built-in PDF viewer with its own, so the
  dim band, Smart Window, and Auto Dim controls all work on PDFs the same
  way they work on web pages. Built-in toolbar with page navigation,
  zoom, find, outline sidebar, and download.
  
  - Works on local and online PDFs (including arxiv.org and other URLs
    without a .pdf extension)
  - Two-column academic papers detected automatically
  - Running headers, footers, and page numbers skipped, so focus follows
    the body text only
  
  KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS
  
  - Alt+Shift+F (Option+Shift+F on Mac): Toggle extension on/off
  - Alt+Shift+M (Option+Shift+M on Mac): Toggle follow mouse mode
  - Alt+Shift+A (Option+Shift+A on Mac): Toggle auto dim
  - Alt+Shift+P (Option+Shift+P on Mac): Open popup
  - Alt+Shift+C (Option+Shift+C on Mac): Re-center focus window
  - Alt+Shift+Arrow Keys: Resize focus window
  - Shift+Arrow Keys: Navigate between paragraphs (Smart Window)
  
  PERFECT FOR
  
  - People with ADHD who struggle to focus on text
  - Readers with dyslexia who benefit from reduced visual clutter
  - Students studying long PDFs and academic papers
  - Researchers reading lengthy reports
  - Anyone who gets overwhelmed by busy web pages
  - Night readers who want reduced eye strain
  
  PRIVACY
  
  FocalReader does not read your page content, your PDFs, or your browsing
  history, and nothing about what you read is sent anywhere. Settings are
  synced through your own Chrome account if you have Chrome Sync enabled.
  
  - No accounts, no sign-up, no email required
  - No analytics, no usage tracking, no telemetry
  - The only outbound request is when YOU click "Send feedback" — only
    what you wrote leaves your browser
  
  HOW TO USE
  
  1. Click the FocalReader icon or press Alt+Shift+F to enable
  2. Move your mouse to where you want to read
  3. Toggle off Follow Mouse to lock the position (web pages) or use
     Smart Window for paragraph-level focus
  4. For PDFs: open any PDF link — FocalReader's viewer opens automatically
  5. Adjust size, opacity, and auto-dim timing in the popup to your preference
  
  Simple, lightweight, and distraction-free reading starts now.

  A focus reading tool that dims everything except where you're reading —
  from a single paragraph down to one line. Works on web pages and PDFs.
  Perfect for ADHD, dyslexia, or anyone who gets distracted.
  
  100% free. No accounts, no upsells, no premium tier.
  
  NEW IN v1.5.0
  Line Focus — Smart Window can now narrow all the way down to a single line.
  With Smart Window on, press Shift+Right to drill from a paragraph to one
  line, Shift+Down / Shift+Up to read line by line, and Shift+Left to widen
  back out. Works on web pages and PDFs.
  
  KEY FEATURES
  
  - Smart Window: Element-aware focus that snaps to paragraphs, headings,
    and articles. Step through blocks with Shift+arrow keys. Works on both
    web pages and PDFs.
  - Line Focus: Narrow Smart Window all the way to a single line — press
    Shift+Right to drill from a paragraph down to one line, then Shift+Down /
    Shift+Up to move line by line. Ideal for dense text. Web pages and PDFs.
  - Follow Mouse Mode: The focus window follows your cursor as you read
  - Manual Mode: Position the focus window anywhere and drag to move it
    (on web pages)
  - Double-Tap Mode: On PDFs, double-click any paragraph to anchor focus
  - Full Width Mode: Spans the entire screen width for comfortable line
    reading
  - Auto Dim: Automatically increases dimming when you stop moving,
    creating a calm reading environment
  - Adjustable Size, Opacity, and Tint Color
  - Per-Site Pause: Disable on specific sites with one click
  
  PDF SUPPORT
  
  FocalReader replaces Chrome's built-in PDF viewer with its own, so the
  dim band, Smart Window, and Auto Dim controls all work on PDFs the same
  way they work on web pages. Built-in toolbar with page navigation,
  zoom, find, outline sidebar, and download.
  
  - Works on local and online PDFs (including arxiv.org and other URLs
    without a .pdf extension)
  - Two-column academic papers detected automatically
  - Running headers, footers, and page numbers skipped, so focus follows
    the body text only
  
  KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS
  
  - Alt+Shift+F (Option+Shift+F on Mac): Toggle extension on/off
  - Alt+Shift+M (Option+Shift+M on Mac): Toggle follow mouse mode
  - Alt+Shift+A (Option+Shift+A on Mac): Toggle auto dim
  - Alt+Shift+P (Option+Shift+P on Mac): Open popup
  - Alt+Shift+C (Option+Shift+C on Mac): Re-center focus window
  - Alt+Shift+Arrow Keys: Resize focus window
  - Shift+Down / Shift+Up: Move between paragraphs — or lines, in Line Focus (Smart Window)
  - Shift+Right / Shift+Left: Narrow to a single line / widen back to the paragraph (Smart Window)
  
  PERFECT FOR
  
  - People with ADHD who struggle to focus on text
  - Readers with dyslexia who benefit from reduced visual clutter
  - Students studying long PDFs and academic papers
  - Researchers reading lengthy reports
  - Anyone who gets overwhelmed by busy web pages
  - Night readers who want reduced eye strain
  
  PRIVACY
  
  FocalReader does not read your page content, your PDFs, or your browsing
  history, and nothing about what you read is sent anywhere. Settings are
  synced through your own Chrome account if you have Chrome Sync enabled.
  
  - No accounts, no sign-up, no email required
  - No analytics, no usage tracking, no telemetry
  - The only outbound request is when YOU click "Send feedback" — only
    what you wrote leaves your browser
  
  HOW TO USE
  
  1. Click the FocalReader icon or press Alt+Shift+F to enable
  2. Move your mouse to where you want to read
  3. Turn on Smart Window to snap focus to a paragraph — then press
     Shift+Right to narrow to a single line, and Shift+Down / Shift+Up to
     move line by line
  4. Prefer a fixed band? Turn off Follow Mouse to lock its position (web pages)
  5. For PDFs: open any PDF link — FocalReader's viewer opens automatically
  6. Adjust size, opacity, and auto-dim timing in the popup to your preference
  
  Simple, lightweight, and distraction-free reading starts now.

• Jun 2, 2026
  description

  A focus reading tool that dims everything except where you're reading.
    Now works on PDFs too. Perfect for ADHD, dyslexia, or anyone who gets
    distracted.
  
    NEW IN v1.3.0 — PDF Support
    FocalReader now opens PDF files in its own focused viewer. The same
    dim band, smart window, and auto-dim controls you use on web pages
    now work on PDF documents. Built-in toolbar with page navigation,
    zoom, find, outline sidebar, and download.
  
    KEY FEATURES
  
    - Follow Mouse Mode: The focus window follows your cursor as you read
    - Manual Mode: Position the focus window anywhere and drag to move it
      (on web pages)
    - Double-Tap Mode: On PDFs, double-click any paragraph to anchor focus
    - Full Width Mode: Spans the entire screen width for comfortable line
      reading
    - Auto Dim: Automatically increases dimming when you stop moving,
      creating a calm reading environment
    - Adjustable Size: Customize width and height to fit your reading
      preference
    - Adjustable Opacity: Control how dark the surrounding area appears
    - Per-Site Pause: Disable on specific sites with one click
  
    SMART WINDOW PRO
  
    Element-aware focus that snaps to one paragraph, heading, or article
    at a time — instead of a fixed rectangle. Works on web pages and PDFs.
    - Web pages: detects articles, paragraphs, headings, code blocks
    - PDFs: snaps to individual paragraphs; skips running headers,
      footers, and page numbers automatically
    - Shift+Arrow keys to navigate between blocks
    - $4.99/month or $24.99/year. 7-day free trial.
  
    KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS
  
    - Alt+Shift+F (Option+Shift+F on Mac): Toggle extension on/off
    - Alt+Shift+M (Option+Shift+M on Mac): Toggle follow mouse mode
    - Alt+Shift+A (Option+Shift+A on Mac): Toggle auto dim
    - Alt+Shift+P (Option+Shift+P on Mac): Open popup
    - Alt+Shift+C (Option+Shift+C on Mac): Re-center focus window
    - Alt+Shift+Arrow Keys: Resize focus window
    - Shift+Arrow Keys: Navigate between paragraphs (Smart Window Pro)
  
    PERFECT FOR
  
    - People with ADHD who struggle to focus on text
    - Readers with dyslexia who benefit from reduced visual clutter
    - Students studying long PDFs and academic papers
    - Researchers reading lengthy reports
    - Anyone who gets overwhelmed by busy web pages
    - Night readers who want reduced eye strain
  
    PRIVACY
  
    FocalReader doesn't read your page content, your PDFs, or your browsing
    history, and nothing about what you read is sent anywhere. Settings are
    synced through your own Chrome account. The only outbound requests are:
    - Periodic license validation to Gumroad (Pro subscribers only)
    - A one-time pricing lookup to our own server (no personal data sent)
  
    HOW TO USE
  
    1. Click the FocalReader icon or press Alt+Shift+F to enable
    2. Move your mouse to where you want to read
    3. Toggle off Follow Mouse to lock the position (web pages) or use
       Smart Window for paragraph-level focus
    4. For PDFs: open any PDF link — FocalReader's viewer opens automatically
    5. Adjust size, opacity, and auto-dim timing in the popup to your preference
  
    Simple, lightweight, and distraction-free reading starts now.

  A focus reading tool that dims everything except where you're reading.
  Works on web pages and PDFs. Perfect for ADHD, dyslexia, or anyone who
  gets distracted.
  
  100% free. No accounts, no upsells, no premium tier.
  
  NEW IN v1.4.0
  Smart Window — element-aware focus that snaps to one paragraph, heading,
  or article at a time — is now free for everyone. Previously a Pro-only
  feature; now part of the default extension.
  
  KEY FEATURES
  
  - Smart Window: Element-aware focus that snaps to paragraphs, headings,
    and articles. Step through blocks with Shift+arrow keys. Works on both
    web pages and PDFs.
  - Follow Mouse Mode: The focus window follows your cursor as you read
  - Manual Mode: Position the focus window anywhere and drag to move it
    (on web pages)
  - Double-Tap Mode: On PDFs, double-click any paragraph to anchor focus
  - Full Width Mode: Spans the entire screen width for comfortable line
    reading
  - Auto Dim: Automatically increases dimming when you stop moving,
    creating a calm reading environment
  - Adjustable Size, Opacity, and Tint Color
  - Per-Site Pause: Disable on specific sites with one click
  
  PDF SUPPORT
  
  FocalReader replaces Chrome's built-in PDF viewer with its own, so the
  dim band, Smart Window, and Auto Dim controls all work on PDFs the same
  way they work on web pages. Built-in toolbar with page navigation,
  zoom, find, outline sidebar, and download.
  
  - Works on local and online PDFs (including arxiv.org and other URLs
    without a .pdf extension)
  - Two-column academic papers detected automatically
  - Running headers, footers, and page numbers skipped, so focus follows
    the body text only
  
  KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS
  
  - Alt+Shift+F (Option+Shift+F on Mac): Toggle extension on/off
  - Alt+Shift+M (Option+Shift+M on Mac): Toggle follow mouse mode
  - Alt+Shift+A (Option+Shift+A on Mac): Toggle auto dim
  - Alt+Shift+P (Option+Shift+P on Mac): Open popup
  - Alt+Shift+C (Option+Shift+C on Mac): Re-center focus window
  - Alt+Shift+Arrow Keys: Resize focus window
  - Shift+Arrow Keys: Navigate between paragraphs (Smart Window)
  
  PERFECT FOR
  
  - People with ADHD who struggle to focus on text
  - Readers with dyslexia who benefit from reduced visual clutter
  - Students studying long PDFs and academic papers
  - Researchers reading lengthy reports
  - Anyone who gets overwhelmed by busy web pages
  - Night readers who want reduced eye strain
  
  PRIVACY
  
  FocalReader does not read your page content, your PDFs, or your browsing
  history, and nothing about what you read is sent anywhere. Settings are
  synced through your own Chrome account if you have Chrome Sync enabled.
  
  - No accounts, no sign-up, no email required
  - No analytics, no usage tracking, no telemetry
  - The only outbound request is when YOU click "Send feedback" — only
    what you wrote leaves your browser
  
  HOW TO USE
  
  1. Click the FocalReader icon or press Alt+Shift+F to enable
  2. Move your mouse to where you want to read
  3. Toggle off Follow Mouse to lock the position (web pages) or use
     Smart Window for paragraph-level focus
  4. For PDFs: open any PDF link — FocalReader's viewer opens automatically
  5. Adjust size, opacity, and auto-dim timing in the popup to your preference
  
  Simple, lightweight, and distraction-free reading starts now.

• Jun 2, 2026
  short_description

  Dim the page around what you're reading. Smart Window Pro snaps focus to paragraphs and headings. Built for ADHD & dyslexia.

  Dim the page around what you're reading. Smart Window snaps focus to paragraphs and headings. Built for ADHD & dyslexia.

• Jun 2, 2026
  host_permissions

  https://api.gumroad.com/*, https://focalreader-pricing.ajitsoni000005.workers.dev/*, <all_urls>

  https://focalreader-pricing.ajitsoni000005.workers.dev/*, <all_urls>

• Jun 2, 2026
  permissions

  storage, activeTab, alarms, scripting, declarativeNetRequest

  storage, activeTab, scripting, declarativeNetRequest, webRequest

• May 20, 2026
  description

  A focus reading tool that dims everything except where 
    you're reading. Perfect for ADHD, dyslexia, or anyone  
    who gets distracted.                                   
                                                           
    Full Description:                                      
    FocalReader - ADHD Focus Reader                        
                                                           
    Struggling to focus while reading long articles,       
    documents, or web pages? FocalReader creates a         
    spotlight effect that dims everything except the area  
    you're reading, helping you stay focused and reduce    
    visual distractions.                                   
                                                           
    KEY FEATURES                                           
                                                           
    - Follow Mouse Mode: The focus window follows your     
    cursor as you read                                     
    - Manual Mode: Position the focus window anywhere and  
    drag to move it                                        
    - Full Width Mode: Spans the entire screen width for   
    comfortable line reading                               
    - Auto Dim: Automatically increases dimming when you   
    stop moving, creating a calm reading environment       
    - Adjustable Size: Customize width and height to fit   
    your reading preference                                
    - Shape Options: Choose between rectangle or ellipse   
    focus area                                             
    - Adjustable Opacity: Control how dark the surrounding 
    area appears                                           
                                                           
   KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                             
    - Alt+Shift+F (Option+Shift+F on Mac): Toggle extension on/off                                                           
    - Alt+Shift+M (Option+Shift+M on Mac): Toggle follow mouse mode                                                          
    - Alt+Shift+A (Option+Shift+A on Mac): Toggle auto dim                                                                   
    - Alt+Shift+P (Option+Shift+P on Mac): Open popup                                                                        
    - Alt+Shift+C (Option+Shift+C on Mac): Re-center focus window                                                            
    - Alt+Shift+Arrow Keys: Resize focus window  
                                                           
    PERFECT FOR                                            
                                                           
    - People with ADHD who struggle to focus on text       
    - Readers with dyslexia who benefit from reduced visual
     clutter                                               
    - Students studying long documents                     
    - Professionals reading lengthy reports                
    - Anyone who gets overwhelmed by busy web pages        
    - Night readers who want reduced eye strain            
                                                           
    PRIVACY                                                
                                                           
    FocalReader works entirely in your browser. No data is 
    collected, stored, or transmitted. Your reading habits 
    remain completely private.                             
                                                           
    HOW TO USE                                             
                                                           
    1. Click the FocalReader icon or press Alt+Shift+F to  
    enable                                                 
    2. Move your mouse to where you want to read           
    3. Toggle off Follow Mouse to lock the position        
    4. Adjust size and opacity in the popup to your        
    preference                                             
                                                           
    Simple, lightweight, and distraction-free reading      
    starts now.

  A focus reading tool that dims everything except where you're reading.
    Now works on PDFs too. Perfect for ADHD, dyslexia, or anyone who gets
    distracted.
  
    NEW IN v1.3.0 — PDF Support
    FocalReader now opens PDF files in its own focused viewer. The same
    dim band, smart window, and auto-dim controls you use on web pages
    now work on PDF documents. Built-in toolbar with page navigation,
    zoom, find, outline sidebar, and download.
  
    KEY FEATURES
  
    - Follow Mouse Mode: The focus window follows your cursor as you read
    - Manual Mode: Position the focus window anywhere and drag to move it
      (on web pages)
    - Double-Tap Mode: On PDFs, double-click any paragraph to anchor focus
    - Full Width Mode: Spans the entire screen width for comfortable line
      reading
    - Auto Dim: Automatically increases dimming when you stop moving,
      creating a calm reading environment
    - Adjustable Size: Customize width and height to fit your reading
      preference
    - Adjustable Opacity: Control how dark the surrounding area appears
    - Per-Site Pause: Disable on specific sites with one click
  
    SMART WINDOW PRO
  
    Element-aware focus that snaps to one paragraph, heading, or article
    at a time — instead of a fixed rectangle. Works on web pages and PDFs.
    - Web pages: detects articles, paragraphs, headings, code blocks
    - PDFs: snaps to individual paragraphs; skips running headers,
      footers, and page numbers automatically
    - Shift+Arrow keys to navigate between blocks
    - $4.99/month or $24.99/year. 7-day free trial.
  
    KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS
  
    - Alt+Shift+F (Option+Shift+F on Mac): Toggle extension on/off
    - Alt+Shift+M (Option+Shift+M on Mac): Toggle follow mouse mode
    - Alt+Shift+A (Option+Shift+A on Mac): Toggle auto dim
    - Alt+Shift+P (Option+Shift+P on Mac): Open popup
    - Alt+Shift+C (Option+Shift+C on Mac): Re-center focus window
    - Alt+Shift+Arrow Keys: Resize focus window
    - Shift+Arrow Keys: Navigate between paragraphs (Smart Window Pro)
  
    PERFECT FOR
  
    - People with ADHD who struggle to focus on text
    - Readers with dyslexia who benefit from reduced visual clutter
    - Students studying long PDFs and academic papers
    - Researchers reading lengthy reports
    - Anyone who gets overwhelmed by busy web pages
    - Night readers who want reduced eye strain
  
    PRIVACY
  
    FocalReader doesn't read your page content, your PDFs, or your browsing
    history, and nothing about what you read is sent anywhere. Settings are
    synced through your own Chrome account. The only outbound requests are:
    - Periodic license validation to Gumroad (Pro subscribers only)
    - A one-time pricing lookup to our own server (no personal data sent)
  
    HOW TO USE
  
    1. Click the FocalReader icon or press Alt+Shift+F to enable
    2. Move your mouse to where you want to read
    3. Toggle off Follow Mouse to lock the position (web pages) or use
       Smart Window for paragraph-level focus
    4. For PDFs: open any PDF link — FocalReader's viewer opens automatically
    5. Adjust size, opacity, and auto-dim timing in the popup to your preference
  
    Simple, lightweight, and distraction-free reading starts now.

• May 20, 2026
  permissions

  storage, activeTab, alarms, scripting

  storage, activeTab, alarms, scripting, declarativeNetRequest

• May 2, 2026
  host_permissions

  (empty)

  https://api.gumroad.com/*, https://focalreader-pricing.ajitsoni000005.workers.dev/*, <all_urls>

• May 2, 2026
  permissions

  storage, activeTab

  storage, activeTab, alarms, scripting

• May 2, 2026
  short_description

  Helps users focus while reading by dimming the screen except for a movable focus area.

  Dim the page around what you're reading. Smart Window Pro snaps focus to paragraphs and headings. Built for ADHD & dyslexia.

Permissions & access

Permissions

storageactiveTabscriptingdeclarativeNetRequestwebRequest

Host access

https://focalreader-pricing.ajitsoni000005.workers.dev/*, <all_urls>

Screenshots

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