Digraph words list
Printable list of digraph words · 3 pages
Explore reading programs
See all reading programs →Compare listed prices and grade ranges. Save favorites on this device; directory inclusion does not imply funding approval. Confirm current prices and availability with the provider.
A digraph is two letters that spell one sound. In ship, the s and h don't say /s/ and /h/; together they say /sh/. The consonant digraphs children learn first are sh, ch, th, wh and ck, with ph usually a little later.
This list groups digraph words by digraph and by where the digraph sits: sh and ch at the start and at the end (ship, fish; chip, lunch), th in its two sounds (the quiet th in thin and the voiced th in this), wh at the start (when, whip), ck at the end after a short vowel (back, duck), and ph (phone, graph). Most words are short-vowel words, so they're decodable right after CVC words.
When reading, have your child underline the digraph first, then read it as one sound. On sound box sheets a digraph gets one box, because it is one sound.
Tips for using it
- Teach th with a mirror: tongue between the teeth for both sounds, voice on (this) or voice off (thin).
- ck only comes right after a short vowel at the end of a word or syllable, which is why it's back but not bake.
- Many children in the US say wh and w the same way. That's fine for reading; it matters only for spelling.
Variations
All word lists for kidsQuestions
What is a digraph?
A digraph is two letters that make one sound, like sh in ship or ch in chin. A blend is different: in a blend like st, you can still hear both sounds.
What are the five common consonant digraphs?
Sh, ch, th, wh and ck are the digraphs most programs teach first. Ph (phone) and ng (sing) are often added soon after.
Is ck a digraph?
Yes. The c and k together spell one /k/ sound. It's used at the end of a short-vowel word, as in duck and sock.