1st Grade Spelling Words
Just starting first grade spelling? This is the complete first grade spelling words list — the words a 6- or 7-year-old is typically expected to read and spell by year's end. You'll find the 41 Dolch first grade sight words and the Fry First Hundred (the 100 most common words in English), plus words grouped by the patterns first graders practice: short-vowel CVC words, consonant digraphs (sh, ch, th), -ng and -nk endings, and beginning blends. Print the list, work one group at a time, or — easiest of all — let StudySpell read each word aloud so your child can practice spelling by ear, exactly the way a classroom spelling test works.
The Complete 1st Grade Spelling Words List
1st Grade Sight Words (Dolch) — 41 words
The high-frequency words first graders are expected to recognize on sight. The per-grade groupings are a common teaching convention, not Dolch's own design.
High-Frequency Words (Fry First Hundred) — 100 words
The 100 most common words in English (#1–100 by frequency), the backbone of early reading and writing.
1st Grade Words by Spelling Pattern
Short-Vowel CVC Words
Consonant Digraphs (sh, ch, th)
Beginning Blends
-ng / -nk Word Families
Where these lists come from
These are widely-used reference lists, not an official standard — the Dolch and Fry “by grade” groupings are a common teaching convention, and spelling patterns vary by curriculum. Sources: Dolch 1st grade sight words (sightwords.com), Fry First Hundred words (sightwords.com), CVC word lists (From Sounds to Spelling), sh/ch/th digraph word lists (Pen and Paper Phonics), 1st grade spelling patterns: blends, digraphs (SpellCrush).
How to Practice 1st Grade Spelling Words at Home
First graders learn spelling best in very short bursts — about 8–10 words a week, just a few minutes a day. Attention spans are short at this age, so two five-minute rounds beat one long session.
Pick one pattern group above — say, the short-vowel CVC words — and choose eight or so. Say the word, then have your child spell it out loud or write it without looking. Because spelling starts as a listening skill, the most important step is hearing the word and spelling it from memory, not copying it off the page. Re-drill only the words missed, and end on a word your child gets right so they finish feeling successful.
That “hear it, then spell it” step is exactly what StudySpell does. Type in this week’s eight words and the app reads each one aloud while your child types what they hear — no more reading words off a sheet at the kitchen table. You can try it free with no signup, and StudySpell remembers which words your first grader has mastered and which need another round.
Turn this list into real practice
No signup needed. Hear each word, spell it, see progress.
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1st Grade Spelling Words FAQ
How many spelling words should a 1st grader learn each week?
Most first grade classrooms assign about 8–10 spelling words a week. At ages 6–7 that’s enough to learn a new pattern without overload — dial it down if your child is still building confidence, or up if they’re racing ahead.
What spelling words should a 1st grader know?
By the end of first grade, most children can spell the 41 Dolch first grade sight words, many of the Fry First Hundred high-frequency words, short-vowel CVC words (cat, sit, hop), simple digraphs (ship, chat, that), -ng/-nk endings (ring, sink), and beginning blends (clap, step). Every one of those is on this page.
What are Dolch and Fry sight words?
They are the two most-used lists of high-frequency “sight words.” Dr. Edward Dolch built his list in the 1930s–40s from the most common words in children’s books; Dr. Edward Fry later created a larger, frequency-ranked list. The “1st grade” groupings are a common teaching convention rather than an official grade assignment.
What is the best way to practice spelling with a first grader?
Keep it short and out loud. The most effective method at this age is hearing a word and spelling it from memory rather than copying it, in sessions of just a few minutes. Apps like StudySpell read each word aloud so your child can practice spelling by ear.
Are these the exact words my child will be tested on?
Not necessarily — spelling lists vary by school and curriculum. These are the most widely-used first grade words and patterns, so they make excellent general practice. For your child’s exact list, check with their teacher, then enter those specific words into StudySpell to practice them directly.
Can my first grader practice these words for free?
Yes. You can try StudySpell free with no signup — enter any of the words above and the app will read them aloud for your child to spell. Pro ($7/mo) unlocks unlimited lists and progress tracking across multiple kids.
Spelling words by grade
More grades are on the way. See StudySpell Pro pricing.