Evidence-based curriculum for ages 2-8

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Free Printable Decodable Words Lists 

Try these free decodable word lists to help improve your child’s reading skills.

By Jill Staake

Reviewed by Dr. Nika Fabienke

Table of Contents

What are Decodable Words?

Decodable Words List for Kindergarten 

Decodable Words List for First Grade 

Decodable Words Lists for Second Grade

What are Decodable Words?

Decodable words are those that emergent readers can sound out by following the rules of phonics. At first, new readers can only decode very simple words–typically those that follow the basic rules they’ve learned. Over time, they learn more rules and can decode a wider array of words.

Once a child knows all the applicable rules of phonics, regular words are fully decodable. For example, to decode the word “dog,” a child can segment the sounds into “/d/ + /o/ + /g/” and then blend them together to make the word.   

Decoding is taught as early as preschool or kindergarten and goes hand-in-hand with phonics. Along with language comprehension, decoding is a critical part of reading comprehension.

Free Decodable Words Lists 

Practicing decoding is a wonderful way to help children grow their ability to sound out and decipher new words, and the following word lists are a great tool.

Below, you’ll find free printable decodable word lists for kindergarten, first grade, and second grade. For more resources on decoding check out our list of 23 Decoding Activities for Early Elementary Children.

Decodable Words List for Kindergarten 

Kindergarteners mainly focus on one-syllable decodable words that fit the consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) pattern. Learn more about kindergarten phonics here. 

2-Letter Decodable Words

adamanat
axifinis
itmaonox
paupus

CVC Decodable Words

SHORT A
badbagbatcabcan
capcatdadfanfat
hadhamhatjammad
manmapmatnappat
ragranratsagsat
tabtagtapvan
SHORT E
bedbegbetfedget
henjetledleglet
menmetnetpenpet
redsettenwetyes
SHORT I
bigbinbitdiddig
finfithidhimhit
kidlidlitpigpin
pitridsitwigwin
SHORT O
boxcopdogdotfog
foxgothoghophot
jobjogloglotmob
mommopnotpoppot
robrodrotsobtop
SHORT U
bugbunbusbutcub
cupcutdugfungum
hughumhutjugmud
mugnutpuprubrug
runsubsuntugtub
Print List of Decodable Words for Kindergarten

Decodable Words List for First Grade 

In first grade, students add more advanced phonics concepts like silent-E, consonant blends, and multi-syllable words. Here’s more about phonics for first grade students. 

Consonant Blends Decodable Words List

BEGINNING BLENDS
blankblossom blend cling clip 
crab flag flat flip flop 
glad grab plot plug skin 
skunk slug stem stop swim 
twig twin trip 
ENDING BLENDS
brick desk disk last pond 
risk sand send test 
BEGINNING & ENDING BLENDS
black clock plant snack stamp 
twist 

Decodable CVCe Words

bikebitebonecakecanecone
cutedatedivefivegamegave
hideholehosejokekitelake
latelinemakeminemutenine
nosenotepilepinepipepole
rakerideriperosesameside
tametapetimevotewipezone

Two-Syllable Decodable Words List

basketconcretecontractescape
expandextinctexplodefigure
habitinsectinvitejacket
pavementplanetpuppetreptile
rocketsubtracttrumpet
Print List of Decodable Words for First Grade

You don’t need specialized software to teach spelling, but using a tool like ABCmouse can make it a lot easier! Our app offers interactive and visually stimulating content that reinforces word recognition and reading skills through games and engaging activities.

Check Out ABCmouse –>

Decodable Words Lists for Second Grade

Second graders tackle trickier concepts like vowel teams (including diphthongs), prefixes and suffixes, and r-controlled vowels. Discover more about second grade phonics here. 

Vowel Teams Decodable Words List

EA Vowel Team
bead clean deal feast 
heal hear lead meat 
neat read real sneak 
weak 
AI Vowel Team
braid brain chain fail 
jail mail paid plain 
train 
UI Vowel Team
bruise cruise juice suit 
OA Vowel Team
boat coat float loaf 
throat 
IE Vowel Team
thief briefniece 
EE Vowel Team
cheek feed sleep speed 
week wheel 

Decodable Words with Prefixes and Suffixes

PREFIX
decidedislikemisleadpreheatprotect
reheatrerunretierewriteunhook
unlockunpackunplugunsafe
SUFFIX
actedcalmlycloudydrinkableendless
goldenhardenhelpfulhopelessjumped
jumpingjumperkindnesslastingmeeting
playfulrainyshortenshortlyuseful
watchedwiderwindywooden

Decodable R-Controlled Vowel Words

birdbirthblurbornburnburnt
burpburstcapercorncurlfarm
fewerfirmfirstforkgermgirl
hardhorsehurtmarknorthnurse
partshirtshortsisterskirtskort
starstartstirsurftermthird
thirsttornturfturntwirlverb
winteryard
Print List of Decodable Words for Second Grade

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