Short Vowel Spelling Words (a, e, i, o, u)
This page has six short vowel spelling lists: one each for short a, e, i, o and u, plus a review list that mixes all five. Every word has the vowel in the middle, so the skill is hearing that middle sound and writing the right letter. Play a list on screen, take a practice test, or print a free worksheet in a minute.
Short vowel words
Short vowel spelling lists
| List | Grade hint | Words | Practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short a words | K | cat, hat, map, bag, man, ran, sad, jam, nap, fan | Play & test |
| Short e words | K | bed, red, ten, hen, pet, wet, leg, web, yes, men | Play & test |
| Short i words | K | pig, big, sit, hit, win, lid, dig, six, fix, zip | Play & test |
| Short o words | K | dog, hot, top, mop, box, fox, log, pot, job, not | Play & test |
| Short u words | K | bug, cup, sun, run, fun, mud, tub, nut, hug, bus | Play & test |
| Short vowels review | 1 | bat, net, kid, hop, cut, pen, lip, rug, van, dot | Play & test |
Print a short vowel worksheet
The five short vowel sounds and their key words
- Short a as in apple: cat, map, fan
- Short e as in egg: bed, ten, web
- Short i as in igloo: pig, sit, zip
- Short o as in octopus: dog, box, pot
- Short u as in umbrella: bug, sun, tub
Say the key word, then the sound alone, then a list word: "apple, /a/, cat". Hearing the sound at the start of a word first makes it easier to catch in the middle.
When short e and short i sound the same
Short e and short i are the pair children mix up most, and in some US accents they really do sound alike before n. Two things help:
- Mouth shape: for short e the mouth opens a little wider, as if saying "eh?". For short i it stays almost closed, close to a smile. Try it in a mirror.
- Word pairs: say pen and pin, bed and bid, set and sit. Your child points to the e card or the i card.
Practice the short e list and the short i list on separate weeks before trying them mixed.
Short vowel worksheets that target the middle sound
The worksheet generator turns any list on this page into a printable PDF, made in your browser on US Letter paper:
- Missing letters: the best fit for vowels. Leave out the middle letter (b_g) and your child decides which vowel goes there.
- Trace and write: good on the first day of a new vowel.
- Word search: a calm end-of-week activity.
You can also make sheets from any words with the spelling worksheet generator.
Short vowels first, long vowels next
Once short vowels are steady, children meet long vowels, where the vowel says its own name. The first big change is a silent e on the end: cap becomes cape, kit becomes kite, hop becomes hope. That only makes sense when the short sound is solid, so it is worth taking time here.
For reading practice with the same kind of words, see our CVC words list.
Frequently asked questions
What age are short vowel spelling lists for?
Often kindergarten and early first grade, ages 5 to 7. The same lists are arranged by grade on our kindergarten spelling words page.
Which short vowel should we practice first?
Short a is a common starting point because it is easy to hear. Keep short e and short i apart until each one is secure.
How do I test short vowel spelling at home?
Use the typed spelling test on this page, or print a numbered test paper. Words are read aloud by your device's built-in voice, when it has one; otherwise a grown-up reads them from a folded list. Watch the middle letter most of all.
Are the short vowel worksheets free to print?
Yes. Every worksheet is a free PDF made on your device. Nothing is uploaded and there is no signup.
My child gets the first and last letters but not the vowel. Is that normal?
Very normal. The middle sound is the hardest to hear. Stretch the word out slowly ("sssuuunnn") and use the missing letters worksheet.