Why documentation needs a light-to-dark mode switch

Technical documentation is meant to be read, understood, and acted upon. But if the reading experience is uncomfortable, accessibility is poor, or users struggle with readability, even the best-written documentation can become a frustrating experience.

As people spend more time reading digital content, the demand for customisable and user-friendly interfaces has grown. One often-overlooked feature that significantly impacts readability and accessibility is light-dark mode toggling. As more applications and websites introduce dark mode options, it’s time documentation follows suit.

The case for light and dark mode in documentation

In case you’re wondering, here’s why your documentation needs to adopt a light-to-dark mode switch.

1. Improving readability for different environments:

Developers and users interact with documentation in different settings. Sometimes its a brightly lit office, a dimly lit room, or late-night coding sessions. Beyond personal preference, your user’s environment plays a major role in the readability of your documentation. In a well-lit room, a dark interface might be difficult to read due to reflections and low contrast. But a bright white screen in a dark room can cause glare and discomfort, making it harder to focus on content. When you allow users to toggle between light and dark modes, your documentation becomes adaptable, catering to their different lighting conditions and needs.

Accessibility across multiple devices is also becoming increasingly important. With developers regularly swapping between displays, laptops, and mobile devices, a light-dark mode option guarantees a consistent reading experience across devices, avoiding abrupt contrast changes that could break focus. This adaptability makes documentation more accessible, regardless of where or how it is accessed.

2. Accessibility + inclusivity

Not all users perceive screens the same way. Light sensitivity, dyslexia, and other visual impairments can make it difficult for some users to read standard documentation layouts. For instance, some users may experience discomfort or migraines when viewing bright screens for extended periods, so a dark mode option allows them to consume content more comfortably.

Dark mode provides higher contrast, while light mode can help those who struggle with dark backgrounds. According to the British Dyslexia Association’s style guide, it's recommended that certain colour contrasts, like light text on a dark background, be used to improve readability for individuals with dyslexia.

Ensuring that both light and dark themes have sufficient contrast ratios can also benefit users with colour blindness and other vision impairments.

By providing both light and dark options, your documentation becomes more inclusive and usable for a diverse audience, making sure that all users, regardless of their needs, can access and understand the content effectively.

3. Reducing eye strain + fatigue

For users (like you and me) spending long hours reading documentation, staring at a bright screen can be exhausting. Prolonged exposure to blue light can contribute to eye strain, headaches, and disrupted sleep cycles. High contrast between black text and a bright white background can be harsh on the eyes.

With the option to switch to dark mode, users can attempt to reduce the intensity of blue light emissions and have a softer contrast that can be easier to process over long periods, creating a more comfortable reading experience. Many developers and engineers spend hours reading through technical documentation. Reducing strain helps maintain concentration and prevents early fatigue.

Dark mode helps reduce blue light exposure and lowers the risk of digital eye strain, making it easier for users and developers to absorb information without discomfort. By integrating dark mode options, documentation can significantly improve user comfort and readability during extended sessions.

4. Aligning with user preferences

Many modern applications, IDEs, and browsers now support dark mode, and users have grown accustomed to it. So, why should documentation be any different?

Lots of developers already use dark mode in their code editors, personal computers, and other tools. When documentation lacks this option, it creates an inconsistent experience. Some users simply prefer dark mode, either for aesthetic reasons or comfort. So, allowing customisation ensures they can engage with documentation in a way that suits them best, making it more intuitive and convenient.

5. Competitive advantage + user experience

Good documentation isn’t just about content—it’s also about usability. If your documentation is more comfortable to read, users will spend more time engaging with it. This ultimately leads to better adoption of your product, fewer support requests, and an overall improved developer experience.

Users are more likely to stay engaged with documentation that is visually comfortable, leading to better retention of information. Clearer, more accessible documentation also means users can find answers themselves instead of reaching out for support.

Providing thoughtful features like dark mode shows that a company values user experience, which can enhance its reputation in the developer community. By offering an option that caters to diverse needs, documentation can stand out, creating a smoother and more enjoyable experience that encourages users to interact with the content more frequently.

Implementing a light-dark mode toggle on documentation

If you’re considering adding light-dark mode to your documentation, here are a few resources to start out with:

• Readability in UX/UI Design by Interaction Design Foundation

• 12 principles of dark mode design by Uxcel

• UI/UX Design: A Beautiful Dance of Light and Dark by Maria Kud

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A light-dark mode switch might seem like a small addition, but it can drastically improve documentation usability. By prioritising readability, accessibility, and user comfort, we can create a better experience for everyone interacting with our documentation.

Does your documentation support both light and dark modes? If not, it might be time for an upgrade! ;-)