Reader Mode in DuckDuckGo

Reader mode lets you view web articles in a clean, distraction-free layout — removing ads, popups, and sidebars so you can focus on the content. This guide covers how to use reader mode in DuckDuckGo and how Web Highlights takes it further with highlighting, notes, and offline access.

DuckDuckGo's Built-in Reader Mode

The DuckDuckGo browser does not currently offer a built-in reader mode. However, you can still get a distraction-free reading experience using Web Highlights.

Alternatives

  • Use the Web Highlights reader mode feature (see below) for a full-featured reading view with highlighting and note-taking.
  • On mobile, consider switching to a browser with built-in reader mode (such as Firefox or Safari) for reading-heavy sessions.

Go Further with Web Highlights Reader Mode

While DuckDuckGo's reader mode removes distractions, it stops there. Web Highlights adds a complete research workflow on top of any reader mode:

  • Highlight & annotate — Mark up important text with multiple colors and add personal notes.
  • Save for offline access — Keep a permanent, reader-friendly copy of any article.
  • Sync across devices — Access your saved articles, highlights, and notes from any device through the web app.
  • Export your research — Send highlights to Notion, Capacities, Markdown, PDF, or HTML.
  • AI-powered summaries — Generate summaries of your saved articles using Chrome's built-in AI.
  • Organize with tags — Tag and group your research for easy retrieval.

Learn more about how our reader mode works in the Web Highlights Reader Mode documentation.

DuckDuckGo Reader Mode vs. Web Highlights

FeatureDuckDuckGoWeb Highlights
Distraction-free reading✅✅
Custom themes & fonts✅ Basic✅ Full (Light, Dark, Sepia, Contrast)
Highlight & annotate❌✅
Save for offline access❌✅
Sync across devices❌✅
Export to Notion, Markdown, etc.❌✅
Works in multiple browsers❌✅ Chrome, Edge, Brave, Firefox, Opera

Try Web Highlights Reader Mode

Install Web Highlights to get a full-featured reader mode with highlighting, notes, and offline access — free, no sign-up required.

Install Web Highlights

Need help with another browser? Check out our other browser tutorials.