Free Decodable Passages

As an experienced reading specialist, I am often asked by parents and teachers for free decodable passages, so I curated this list of the best publicly available resources.

Based on the Science of Reading, the most effective way to learn to read is through explicit phonics instruction paired with decodable texts. Students benefit most when newly taught phonics patterns are immediately applied in decodable reading, where the majority of the words align with the targeted skill. This approach supports accurate decoding, builds confidence, and strengthens reading fluency.

To support educators and families, all resources listed below are free and made publicly available by publishers or educational organizations. This curated collection is intended to assist teachers, parents, and interventionists in delivering evidence-based reading instruction.

Please alert me to any broken links, errors, or suggested additions. Thank you!

📧 judithearaujo@gmail.com

Some links on this page may be affiliate links, but the majority of resources are free and selected for instructional quality.

Table of Contents

• Core Decodable Book Collections and Program-Based Readers
• Decodable Passages & Short Reading Practice
• Custom & Generated Decodable Texts
• Printable Booklets & Emergent Readers
• Syllable & Advanced Phonics Decodables
• Systematic Phonics Programs
• Core Knowledge Decodable Readers
• Inexpensive Comprehensive Program for Purchase

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🟦 Core Decodable Book Collections and Program-Based Readers

These resources provide full decodable books or structured collections of decodable stories. They follow a clear phonics progression and are suitable for systematic reading instruction aligned with the science of reading. All resources listed below are freely available.

Resource	Format	Notes
UFLI Foundations	Printable PDFs	The program includes systematic, phonics-aligned decodable texts that follow a clear scope and sequence, along with PDFs, supplemental passages, a teacher-created readers’ theater, placement testing, and additional resources.
Flyleaf Publishing – Structured Literacy Decodable Books	Digital / Printable	89 full-color decodable books.
Beyond Decodables	Online / Printable	Decodable books arranged by phonics pattern (CVC, vowels, multisyllabic).
Free Phonetic Readers	Online / Printable	Short- and long-vowel decodable book collections.
Open Source Phonics	Online / Printable	McGraw-Hill Grade 1 Decodables 1-62 Grade 1 Set 63-144 Kindergarten “Around the Neighborhood” (not printable) Grade 1 “Animals Everywhere” (not printable) Grade 2 “Our Life/Our World” (not printable) McGraw-Hill has uploaded these materials.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt	Online / Printable	The Sweet Home School District website provides decodable grade-level resources, including kindergarten and 1st grade eBooks.
Reading Elephant (Free PDFs)	Printable	Short a Short e ai/ay story ee/ea story Silent e story 1, silent e story 2, silent e story 3 long a with magic e Check out their other free stories.
Half-Pint Kids	Digital / Printable	Decodable readers and early literacy materials.
Phonic Books – Free Mini Books	Printable (account required)	Decodable mini-books for home or school use.

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🟦 Decodable Passages & Short Reading Practice

These resources offer short decodable passages rather than full books. They are ideal for targeted phonics practice, fluency building, intervention, or quick reading checks.

Resource	Format	Notes
Free Reading – Decodable Fiction & Nonfiction	Online / Printable	These are skill-based decodable passages.
TextProject – Decodable Reads	Online / Printable	Controlled texts aligned to phonics development.
TextProject – Beginning Reads	Online / Printable	Each level includes 12 short books with concrete vocabulary.
Reading Universe	Printable	Search “free decodable texts” by phonics skill.
Sound City Reading – Reading Street Stories	Printable	Decodable stories from Reading Street.
Phonics Reading Passages PDF	Printable	Compiled phonics reading practice passages.
Just Right Reader – Decodables e-Library	Online / Printable	Decodable books sorted by grade; includes Science of Reading resources in Spanish.
Clarkness	Digital / Printable	Decodable passages available online or as PDFs.
ReadWorks	Online / Printable	Free account gives access to decodable passages via Teacher Guide.

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🟦 Custom & Generated Decodable Texts

These resources allow you to create your own decodable passages, either by selecting phonics patterns or generating texts automatically. Ideal for intervention, reinforcement, or personalized practice.

Resource	Format	Notes
Project Read AI – Decodable Story Generator	Printable / Digital	Create custom decodable stories based on phonics patterns, word lists, and lengths. Follow the Orton-Gillingham or UFLI curriculum and more!

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🟦 Printable Booklets & Emergent Readers

These resources offer ready-to-print decodable booklets, perfect for home use, classroom centers, or guided reading practice. Each booklet follows a structured phonics scope.

Resource	Format	Notes
Hubbard’s Cupboard – Printable Booklets	Printable	These are simple decodable booklets that can be used in the classroom or at home.
CSDELA K–2 Decodable Book	Printable	Structured phonics instruction with decodable text.

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🟦 Syllable & Advanced Phonics Decodables

These resources focus on multisyllable words, vowel teams, and more complex phonics patterns. They support students beyond the beginner level, bridging into fluent reading and spelling accuracy.

Resource	Format	Notes
Mississippi DOE – Syllabication Unit	Printable	A decodable passage for each syllable type: Closed syllables p. 13 Open syllables p. 30 Vowel team syllables p. 48 R-controlled syllables p. 60 Silent e syllables p. 79 Consonant -le syllables p. 95

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🟦 Systematic Phonics Programs (Free Samples)

These programs include free sample decodable readers or lessons. They follow a carefully sequenced phonics scope and sequence, ideal for consistent, structured instruction.

Resource	Format	Notes
Sequential Phonics (Spencer Learning)	Printable	262 lessons, 4,400 words, 2,100 decodable sentences.
Teach My Kid to Read	Printable	The eBooks provide both beginning and advanced reading instruction, along with cumulative decodable stories.
I SEE SAM	Digital / Printable	The decodable texts are specifically tailored to cater to the needs of diverse learners.
Starfall (Classic Phonics)	Online / Printable	Early phonics with optional printable materials.
Success for All	Digital / Printable	Structured literacy program with decodable texts.

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🟦Core Knowledge Decodable Readers (Printable)

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🟦 Inexpensive Comprehensive Program for Purchase

If you are looking for a fully developed, systematic, decodable program, the following is affordable and widely recommended by educators:

 

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Orton-Gillingham 13-book decodable series is a high-quality option for structured phonics instruction. The books can be purchased individually on Amazon, allowing families and educators to buy them as needed. The series progresses systematically from CVC short-vowel stories to compound and multisyllabic words, supporting cumulative skill development.

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