50+ Short Vowel Digraph Words (Free Printable List!)

Learning to read can be a challenge when two vowels come together to make one sound!

These combinations—called vowel digraphs—are an important part of early phonics.

While many vowel digraphs make long vowel sounds (like boat or rain), some create short vowel sounds instead. These are known as short vowel digraphs.

Understanding and practising short vowel digraphs helps children recognise patterns, decode words, and spell with confidence.

Below, you’ll find over 50 examples and ideas for teaching them in a fun, engaging way.

50+ Short Vowel Digraph Words (Free Printable List!)

What Is a Short Vowel Digraph?

A short vowel digraph is when two vowels work together to represent a short vowel sound—like the “ea” in head or the “ou” in could.

Short vowel digraphs can be tricky because children often expect two vowels to make a long sound (as in bead), not a short one (head).

That’s why it’s so important to teach them explicitly!

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📘 Common Short Vowel Digraphs

Here are the most common short vowel digraphs in English and the sounds they represent:

Digraph	Example Words	Sound
ea	head, bread, dead, feather, meant	short /e/
ai	said, again, against	short /e/
ou	could, should, would	short /ʊ/
ie	friend, sieve	short /e/
oo	book, cook, foot, good, wood	short /ʊ/

These vowel pairs appear in many high-frequency words, so regular exposure and practice are key.

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🧠 50+ Short Vowel Digraph Word List

Here’s a list you can use for word sorts, reading games, or phonics practice.

Short vowel digraph “ea” (short /e/ sound):
head, bread, lead, dead, spread, thread, meant, feather, weather, pleasant, sweat, breakfast

Short vowel digraph “ai” (short /e/ sound):
said, again, against, mountain, captain, curtain

Short vowel digraph “ou” (short /ʊ/ sound):
could, would, should, cushion, youngster

Short vowel digraph “ou” (short /u/ sound):
touch, double, young, youngster, country, couple, rough, trouble, enough

Short vowel digraph “ie” (short /e/ sound):
friend, sieve, mischievous

Short vowel digraph “oo” (short /ʊ/ sound):
book, cook, shook, foot, wood, good, hood, look, stood, wool, brook, crook

Short Vowel digraph “oi” (short /ɔɪ/ sound):

boil, coil, spoil, coin, foil, oink, point,

Short Vowel digraph “oe” (short /u/ sound):

does

Short vowel digraph “ui” (short /i/ sound):
biscuit, guinea, build, guitar, built, guild, guilt, rebuilt, building, builder, circuit

That’s over 50 short vowel digraph words your students can use to practise reading and spelling!

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🧩 Teaching Tips for Short Vowel Digraphs

Here are some simple ways to help children master short vowel digraphs:

Introduce One Digraph at a Time

Start with “ea” = /e/ (as in head), since it’s the most common. Use picture cards or sorting games to reinforce the sound pattern.

Contrast Long vs Short Sounds

Show both examples: bead vs head, rain vs said. Have children listen for which vowel is “smiling” (long) and which is “short” (relaxed).

Use Phonics Sorting Activities

Create a sorting mat with two columns — “long vowel digraphs” and “short vowel digraphs” — and have children sort word cards accordingly.

Add Word Hunts

During storytime, ask kids to spot words with “ea,” “ai,” “ou,” or “oo.” Highlight or circle them in their books.

Provide Repetition and Reading Practice

Use decodable sentences or mini-books filled with short vowel digraphs, such as:

“The cook shook his head as the bread spread.”

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✨ Why Short Vowel Digraphs Are Important

Short vowel digraphs help children understand that English spelling patterns aren’t always one-to-one. 

Two vowels can sometimes make one short sound, and recognising that pattern improves decoding and spelling accuracy.

🧠 Research supports this!

Studies show that children process vowel digraphs as single sound units—not separate vowels—when reading words (Marinus & de Jong, 2011, Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology).

Teaching vowel digraphs explicitly helps children learn to read more fluently.

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🖨️ Download Your Free Printable Word List

👉 Grab your free printable “Short Vowel Digraph Word List” to use at home or in the classroom!

Use it for:

• Word sorts
• Phonics centers
• Spelling lists
• Decodable reading practice

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50+ Short Vowel Digraph Words (Free Printable List!)

Short vowel digraphs might look tricky, but once children learn the patterns, they unlock a new level of reading confidence.

By introducing these vowel pairs one at a time, using plenty of repetition, and practising with real-world words, you’ll help your students become strong, confident readers.

Keep phonics fun — play games, read together, and celebrate progress every step of the way! 🌟