Free Decodable Readers
When children are first learning to read, it’s important that they practice with books that match the phonics skills they are developing. Decodable readers are designed for this purpose—they use controlled vocabulary so children can successfully sound out most of the words.
Free Decodable Readers
Below, you’ll find a collection of websites offering free decodable readers. These resources make it easy to give your child plenty of practice without having to purchase numerous books.
Academic Success for All Learners
Academic Success for All Learners offers a collection of decodable readers grouped by sets that progress in difficulty. The ebooks include notes for parents to help them engage their young readers.
Beyond Decodables
The readers at Beyond Decodables are grouped by the skill they focus on, such as CVC words, consonant digraphs, consonant blends, and more. The readers are available as PDF downloads.
Flyleaf Publishing
Flyleaf Publishing offers an ebook library that provides digital access to all of their decodable readers. These ebooks are organized by series that progress in difficulty.
Fun Phonics
Fun Phonics has a collection of phonics readers that may be downloaded in PDF format or read online. However, it is probably preferable to print the readers as they each include a dot-to-dot activity, a fill-in-the-blank worksheet, and black-and-white illustrations that your child may want to color.
Half-Pint Kids
In their digital library, Half-Pint Kids provides free ebook versions of all their decodable readers. The ebooks are organized by reading level. They also offer physical versions of the readers for sale.
The Measured Mom
The Measure Mom offers a large collection of decodable story readers as well as decodable nonfiction readers. On either reader type’s page, you will need to click on the cover of the reader you’d like to download and then enter your email address. You will be directed to a page of advertisements, but the reader will be delivered to your inbox immediately. While the website offers collections of readers for sale, the only way to download them for free is to download each one individually, entering your email address each time.
PhonicsPlay Comics
PhonicsPlay Comics has created two-page PDF comics that can be viewed online or downloaded and printed. The comics are grouped by phases that increase in difficulty. Please note that this is a UK website, so US readers may notice occasional differences in spellings.
Progressive Phonics
The five downloadable phonics books at Progressive Phonics each focus on a different short vowel sound. Each book consists of several short stories.
Reading Doctor
The decodable reader library at Reading Doctor provides a collection of ebooks organized by level. Please note that this is an Australian website, so US readers may notice some differences in spellings.
This Reading Mama
This Reading Mama has created a collection of printable word family readers. To download the readers, scroll to the end of the page and click the link icon on the reader’s cover, which will take you to that reader’s page on This Reading Mama’s website. Then you will find the button to download the book near the bottom of that page. The readers also come with free worksheets and activities.
SPELD SA
SPELD SA’s phonics readers are available in PDF and PowerPoint formats. While the website sells physical books, the downloads are available for free. The readers are categorized by the Sounds-Write code they focus on. Please note that this is an Australian website, so US families may notice occasional differences in spellings.
Sounds-Write
Sounds-Write’s decodable readers are available in both UK and US versions. To download the readers in PDF format, you will first need to set up a free account.
Starfall
The Learn to Read series of online readers created by Starfall helps the child sound out each word. There are also interactive activities to accompany each story. Additionally, you can also download the readers in PDF format for your child to read offline.
Success for All
The decodable readers at Success for All are available in PDF format, and each focuses on a different sound. The readers include teaching tips for parents and conclude with comprehension questions.
Teach My Kid to Read
Teach My Kid to Read offers a collection of decodable ebooks featuring simple black-and-white drawings. Each e-book includes multiple stories. The ebooks include teaching tips for parents, and some of the stories conclude with questions for the child.
TextProject
The TopicReads collection at TextProject is a series of decodable readers grouped by level. The books may be read online in a flipbook format or downloaded.
Free Decodable Passages
These websites offer short decodable passages. While not full readers, these passages are another excellent way for children to get reading practice. They are also ideal for printing, if you prefer to avoid having your child read from a screen.
- FreeReading.net
- Open Source Phonics
- Reading Universe
- ReadWorks (This website requires you to set up a free account.)
- TextProject DecodableReads
- University of Florida Literacy Institute (Lessons 8 through 128 include decodable passages.)
Building Fluency With Free Decodable Readers
Decodable readers are an excellent tool for building confidence and fluency in children who are learning to read. Whether you prefer printable books, interactive online options, or short passages for extra practice, the free resources listed above provide a wide range of choices. With these materials, you can support your child’s reading journey without any added expense.
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