Letter Sounds Chart
A letter sounds chart shows the sound each letter makes, with a simple example word. Knowing these sounds is the first step to reading: once a child knows them, they can blend sounds together to read words like cat and sun. This free A to Z chart uses the short vowel sounds and “hard” consonant sounds children learn first, with example words a beginning reader can sound out.
Letter sounds chart A to Z
| Letter | Sound | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A a | /a/ | ant |
| B b | /b/ | bat |
| C c | /k/ | cat |
| D d | /d/ | dog |
| E e | /e/ | egg |
| F f | /f/ | fan |
| G g | /g/ | gum |
| H h | /h/ | hat |
| I i | /i/ | itch |
| J j | /j/ | jam |
| K k | /k/ | kid |
| L l | /l/ | log |
| M m | /m/ | map |
| N n | /n/ | net |
| O o | /o/ | octopus |
| P p | /p/ | pig |
| Q q | /kw/ | quilt |
| R r | /r/ | rug |
| S s | /s/ | sun |
| T t | /t/ | top |
| U u | /u/ | up |
| V v | /v/ | van |
| W w | /w/ | web |
| X x | /ks/ | fox |
| Y y | /y/ | yak |
| Z z | /z/ | zip |
To print this chart, use your browser’s Print button (Ctrl+P on Windows, Cmd+P on a Mac).
Notes: vowels are shown with their short sounds. C and G are shown with their “hard” sounds (/k/ and /g/), which children learn first. X usually comes at the end of a word, so its example is fox.
How to use this letter sounds chart
- Say the sound, not the letter name. “B says /b/,” not “bee.” Keep consonant sounds short and crisp (/b/, not “buh”).
- Do a few letters at a time, and review often.
- Make it hands-on. Trace, color or build the letter while saying its sound. Our free alphabet coloring pages show each letter with the sound it makes.
- Start blending as soon as your child knows a handful of sounds, using a CVC words list.
Ready to read?
When your child knows these letter sounds and three sight words (a, the and is), they are ready for Miss Wendy’s Favorite Phonetic Books: 18 decodable readers where every word can be sounded out.
More free practice: short vowel word list · all free phonics printables