These days, people care just as much about how a website feels as they do about what it says. Staring at bright screens all the time can be tough on the eyes, and that’s why dark mode has become so popular.
If you run a blog, an online shop, or even just a personal site, adding a dark theme isn’t only about style, it’s about making your site easier and more enjoyable to use.
That’s exactly what Dark Reader does. It’s a powerful yet easy-to-use dark mode plugin for WordPress that helps you give visitors a smooth, eye-friendly browsing experience.
In this post, we’ll look at why dark mode is worth adding, what makes Dark Reader stand out, and how it stacks up against other plugins out there.
Why Do You Need Dark Mode on Your Website?
Dark mode isn’t just trendy, it’s practical. Here’s why:
- Reduces Eye Strain: Especially helpful for users browsing at night or in low-light environments.
- Improves Battery Life: On OLED screens, darker interfaces consume less power.
- Modern Aesthetic: A sleek black WordPress theme gives your site a polished, professional look.
- User Preference: Many users now expect a dark mode for WordPress as a standard feature.
If you want to use the free WordPress dark theme or need to customize your own layout, the dark mode option is sufficient for accessibility and user satisfaction.
How Dark Reader Takes Dark Mode Experience to a Next Level?

When you enable dark mode, your screen background switches to darker colors with light text. This simple change makes content easier on the eyes, especially at night, while also saving battery life on many devices. Plus, it gives your website a modern, sleek look that users love.
Dark Reader brings a sleek dark mode option to your WordPress site, giving visitors a more comfortable viewing experience, especially in low-light settings. It helps reduce eye strain and can extend battery life on mobile devices.
This lightweight plugin adds full dark theme support to any WordPress site. It works with a wide variety of themes, including free WordPress themes, premium WordPress themes, and existing dark or black WordPress themes.
Setup is simple and code-free. With built-in layout options and compatibility with WooCommerce, Gutenberg, Elementor, and other popular WordPress builders, Dark Reader makes it easy to offer a dark theme experience without technical hassle.
Who Is It For?
Dark Reader is built for:
- Bloggers: Improve readability with a clean WordPress dark theme.
- eCommerce Owners: Offer a sleek black theme WordPress experience for product browsing.
- Developers: Add customizable dark mode WordPress options to client sites.
- Agencies: Deliver modern, accessible designs as a free black WordPress theme.
- Portfolio Creators: Showcase work with a minimalist WordPress theme, black aesthetic.
Key Features of Dark Reader
The Dark Reader plugin makes it easy to add a customizable dark mode with its advanced features. Here’s what makes it stand out:
1. Customizable Appearance

You get full control over the look and feel. Adjust brightness, contrast, sepia, or grayscale until dark mode looks exactly how you want it to.
2. Flexible Toggle Button

Give your visitors the freedom to switch between light and dark mode anytime. You can choose where the toggle button appears, how it looks, and even add smooth animations to match your site’s style.
3. Auto System Detection

With Dark Reader, your website will automatically match your visitors’ device settings. If they already use dark mode on their phone or computer, your site will switch to dark mode instantly, no extra effort needed.
4. Smart Color Algorithm

You don’t have to worry about awkward color inversions. Dark Reader uses a smart algorithm that adjusts colors intelligently, keeping your text readable and your design looking sharp.
5. Page-Level Control

Want dark mode only on certain pages? Dark Reader lets you enable or disable it wherever you choose, so you’re always in control.
6. Custom CSS Options

If you like advanced customization, you can add your own CSS to fine-tune dark mode exactly to your needs.
7. Shortcode Integration

Place a dark mode switch anywhere on your site with a simple shortcode. Whether it’s inside posts, pages, or widgets, it’s totally up to you.
8. Dark Admin Dashboard

Even you can enjoy dark mode while managing your site. Dark Reader brings dark mode to the WordPress admin dashboard, making it easier on your eyes during long hours of work.
9. Works on Any WordPress Site
No matter which theme or layout you’re using, Dark Reader is designed to work seamlessly on your WordPress site.
10. PDF Dark Mode Support
If you share PDF files on your website, Dark Reader applies dark mode to them too, so your visitors get the same smooth experience everywhere.
11. No Coding Required
You don’t need to be a developer to use this plugin. Dark Reader comes with an easy-to-use dashboard that anyone can set up in minutes.
12. Battery Friendly
Your visitors will appreciate that Dark Reader helps save battery life on OLED and AMOLED screens, thanks to its energy-efficient dark backgrounds.
13. Lightweight and Optimized
Dark Reader is built to be fast and efficient. It won’t slow down your site or affect page load times.
14. Scheduled Switching
You can set specific times for your site to automatically switch between light and dark modes, for example, light during the day and dark at night.
Want More Control over your Dark Mode? Meet Dark Reader Pro
The free version of Dark Reader gives you everything you need to enable dark mode on your WordPress site. But, the Pro version unlocks even more flexibility and advanced tools to take your website to the next level.
With Dark Reader Pro, you’ll get access to:
- Automatic time-based Dark Mode
- User role-Based Dark Mode on Dashboard
- Dark Mode based on brightness
- Dark Mode in Video
- Exclude Elements, Pages & Posts
You’ll get a lot more controlling over your dark mode with this Dark Reader Pro.
Key Benefits of Using Dark Reader
Here’s a concise overview of the key benefits of using the Dark Reader WordPress plugin, based on its features and user experience:
- No Coding Required: Activate and customize in minutes.
- Works with Any Theme: It seamlessly integrates with a wide range of themes, whether you’re using free, premium, or existing dark/black WordPress themes.
- Performance-Friendly: Lightweight codebase ensures fast load times.
- Accessibility Boost: Improves readability for all users.
- Flexible Design: Supports both the WordPress night mode plugin and manual toggling.
How to Use Dark Reader Plugin?
If you’re ready to give your visitors a smoother, eye-friendly browsing experience, setting it up is easier than you might think. With the Dark Reader plugin, you can enable dark mode on your WordPress site in just a few steps, no coding required. Let’s walk through how you can get it up and running.
- Go to Plugins >> Add New Plugin and search For “Dark Reader”. Simply install & Activate it.

Or, get the Dark Reader pro from here.
- Go to Settings > Dark Reader.

- Press the toggle button to activate light and dark mode.
- Go to the Toggle Button tab to customize the toggle button style, position, and animation.

- For more customization, go to the Advanced tab

- If you want to change the dark mode colors, change them from the Color tab

- Preview & Save your changes.
FAQ
Q1: How can I make all my websites dark mode?
To apply dark mode across multiple websites, you’ll need a plugin or extension that supports global settings.
If you’re using WordPress, installing a dark mode plugin like Dak Reader on each site allows you to maintain consistent styling.
For non-WordPress sites, browser extensions like Dark Reader can apply dark mode universally.
Q2: Is there a plugin to make my WordPress website dark mode?
Yes! A WordPress plugin like Dark Reader (available only for WordPress) can force dark mode on your website.
Q3: How do I add a dark theme to my website?
If your site runs on WordPress, you can easily add a WordPress dark theme or use a WordPress dark mode plugin like Dak Reader. These tools let you switch between light and dark styles, customize toggle buttons, and even match system preferences.
Q4: What is the dark mode plugin for WordPress?
A dark mode plugin for WordPress allows you to add a toggleable or automatic dark theme to your site. Plugins like Dak Reader and others help you create a WordPress black theme experience without changing your entire layout.
Final Thoughts
So, if you’re looking for a reliable, customizable, and user-friendly dark mode plugin, Dak Reader is a smart choice. It works with any WordPress theme, supports any WordPress site, and gives you full control over how your site looks in low-light mode.
Whether you want to use a free black or dark plugin, build a custom layout, or just want to offer a better experience for night-time visitors, Dak Reader delivers. Try it today and give your site the modern edge it deserves.