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Features
Diagonal scan path
Content words are highlighted along the proven diagonal scan route — function words fade so your eye lands on meaning.
Adjustable density
Choose 7, 9, or 11 words per line to control scan width and reading pace.
Animated scan mode
Watch the diagonal path animate through your document in real time to train your eye.
Any document
Supports PDF, DOCX, EPUB, and plain text — sections auto-detected for structured navigation.
Content-word filter
Function words (the, and, of…) are de-emphasised so fixations land on high-information words.
Coverage statistics
See estimated skim time and the percentage of words covered at your chosen settings.
The science
Eye-tracking research shows readers follow an F-pattern when scanning — two horizontal sweeps across the top, then progressively shorter scans down the left side (Nielsen & Pernice, 2010). Perceptual span research (Rayner, 1998) shows skilled readers extract meaning from 14–15 characters per fixation. The diagonal reader turns these natural patterns into a deliberate strategy, routing your eye to content-dense words while training you to reduce regression fixations.
Learn the technique
Diagonal Reading Course
6 lessons on F-pattern eye tracking, perceptual span, SQ3R pre-reading, and triage reading. Free.
What is diagonal reading?
The complete guide to structured scanning — when to use it and how to train the technique.
F-Pattern Reading Research
The eye-tracking science behind how people actually scan text — and how to use it deliberately.
How to skim-read effectively
A 5-step structured skimming method based on perceptual span and comprehension research.
Frequently asked questions
What is diagonal reading?
Diagonal reading is a structured scanning technique based on F-pattern eye-tracking research. Instead of reading every word, you move your eye in a diagonal path across each paragraph, landing on content words and skipping function words to extract the core meaning faster.
Is diagonal reading faster than normal reading?
For triage and scanning — yes, significantly faster. It's designed for situations where you need to assess relevance quickly or extract key facts from a long document. It is not a replacement for deep reading of dense technical material.
What file types does the diagonal reader support?
PDF, DOCX, EPUB, and plain text (.txt) files. You can also paste text directly into the editor. Sections are detected automatically for structured documents.
How is this different from just skimming?
Random skimming relies on intuition. The diagonal reader follows a research-documented eye pattern, uses content-word filtering, and gives you coverage statistics. It makes the science of efficient scanning visible and trainable.