A digraph is a group of two letters that represent one phoneme (sound).
For example, in the word ship, the letters sh work together to represent the single sound /sh/.
sh → /sh/
Other common digraphs include ch, th, ng, ai, ee, oa and oo.
Digraphs are an important part of phonics because they help children understand that one sound can sometimes be represented by two letters.
On this page, you’ll find everything you need to know about digraphs, including consonant digraphs, vowel digraphs, examples, digraph words, how to teach digraphs and ways to practise them at home.
What Is a Digraph?
The word digraph means two letters that work together to represent one phoneme.
For example:
sh → /sh/
In the word:
ship
the word contains three phonemes:
/sh/ /i/ /p/
Although sh contains two letters, it represents just one sound.
This is an important distinction for children learning to read and spell.
Digraph Examples
Here are some common phonics digraphs:
| Digraph | Sound | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ch | /ch/ | chip |
| sh | /sh/ | ship |
| th | /th/ | thin |
| th | /th/ | this |
| ng | /ng/ | ring |
| qu | /qu/ | queen |
| ai | /ai/ | rain |
| ee | /ee/ | sheep |
| oa | /oa/ | boat |
| oo | /oo/ | moon |
| oo | /oo/ | book |
| ar | /ar/ | farm |
| or | /or/ | fork |
| ur | /ur/ | turn |
| ow | /ow/ | cow |
| oi | /oi/ | coin |
The exact digraphs introduced and the order in which they are taught can vary between phonics programmes.
Consonant Digraphs
A consonant digraph contains two consonant letters that represent one phoneme.
Common examples include:
sh
sh → /sh/
Examples:
- ship
- shop
- fish
- shell
ch
ch → /ch/
Examples:
- chip
- chin
- lunch
- much
th
The digraph th can represent two different phonemes.
/th/ as in:
- thin
- thick
- bath
and:
/th/ as in:
- this
- that
- them
ng
ng → /ng/
Examples:
- ring
- sing
- long
- king
qu
qu commonly represents the /kw/ sound.
Examples:
- queen
- quick
- quit
Vowel Digraphs
A vowel digraph contains two letters that work together to represent a vowel sound.
Examples include:
ai → rain
ee → feet
oa → boat
oo → moon
oo → book
Other vowel digraphs children encounter as they progress through phonics include:
ea
ay
ou
ow
oi
oy
aw
ew
au
Some of these are introduced at different stages depending on the phonics programme being followed.
Digraphs vs Single-Letter Graphemes
Children first learn that a single letter can represent a sound.
For example:
m → /m/
They then learn that two letters can work together to represent one sound.
For example:
sh → /sh/
This can initially be confusing for children because they may try to pronounce each letter separately.
For example, when reading ship, a child may say:
/s/ /h/ /i/ /p/
Instead, they need to recognise:
/sh/ /i/ /p/
Helping children recognise digraphs as single phonemes supports accurate blending.
Digraphs and Phonemes
It is important to understand the difference between letters and phonemes.
A phoneme is a unit of sound.
A grapheme is the letter or letters used to represent that sound.
For example:
sh
is a grapheme.
/sh/
is a phoneme.
The grapheme sh contains two letters but represents one phoneme.
How to Teach Digraphs
When introducing a new digraph, say the phoneme clearly and show children the grapheme.
For example:
sh
/sh/
Then practise reading words containing the digraph.
For example:
ship
shop
fish
shell
Encourage children to recognise the digraph as one sound rather than sounding out the two letters separately.
Step 1: Say the Sound
Show the grapheme:
sh
Say:
/sh/
Avoid adding an unnecessary vowel sound.
For example, say /sh/ rather than “shuh”.
Step 2: Find the Digraph
Ask children to find the digraph in words.
For example:
fish
shop
shell
Ask:
Can you find the sh?
This helps children recognise the grapheme within words.
Step 3: Blend the Word
Help children blend the phonemes.
For example:
/sh/ /i/ /p/
→ ship
Other examples:
/ch/ /i/ /p/
→ chip
/r/ /ai/ /n/
→ rain
Step 4: Segment the Word
Say a word and ask children to identify each phoneme.
For example:
ship
→ /sh/ /i/ /p/
Then ask children to choose the graphemes:
sh-i-p
This supports spelling as well as reading.
Step 5: Read Digraph Sentences
Once children can confidently read individual words, use them in simple sentences.
For example:
The sheep is on the ship.
The fish is in the dish.
The rain is on the boat.
This gives children an opportunity to apply their digraph knowledge in context.
Common Digraph Words
Here are some examples of words containing common digraphs.
sh words
- ship
- shop
- shell
- fish
- dish
- brush
ch words
- chip
- chin
- chop
- much
- lunch
- bench
th words
- thin
- thick
- bath
- this
- that
- them
ng words
- ring
- sing
- king
- long
- song
- wing
ai words
- rain
- train
- tail
- paint
- snail
- wait
ee words
- feet
- sheep
- green
- sleep
- tree
- three
oa words
- boat
- goat
- road
- coat
- soap
- float
Digraphs and Trigraphs: What’s the Difference?
A digraph contains two letters representing one phoneme.
A trigraph contains three letters representing one phoneme.
For example:
sh → /sh/
is a digraph.
igh → /igh/
is a trigraph.
Examples of common trigraphs include:
- igh
- ear
- air
- ure
[Learn more about trigraphs →]
Digraphs and Split Digraphs
A split digraph is different from a regular digraph.
In a regular digraph, the two letters are next to each other.
For example:
sh
In a split digraph, the two letters are separated.
For example:
a-e in make
The a and e work together to represent the /ai/ phoneme.
Common split digraphs include:
- a-e
- e-e
- i-e
- o-e
- u-e
[Learn more about split digraphs →]
How to Practise Digraphs at Home
You don’t need lots of equipment to practise digraphs.
Digraph Hunt
Choose a digraph and look for it in books, signs or labels.
For example:
Can you find sh?
Word Sorting
Sort words according to their digraph.
sh → ship, fish, shop
ch → chip, much, chin
Build a Word
Use magnetic letters to build words containing digraphs.
For example:
s + h + i + p → ship
Sound Buttons
Use sound buttons to help children recognise that the digraph represents one phoneme.
Read Digraph Words
Create a list of words containing the digraph your child is practising.
Digraph Sentences
Write simple sentences containing familiar digraph words.
Digraph Spotting
Ask children to find digraphs when reading their favourite books.
Free Digraph Phonics Resources
Ready to practise digraphs?
Explore our free printable digraph resources designed to help children recognise, read and spell words containing common digraphs.
Digraph Flashcards
Practise common digraphs with printable phonics flashcards.
[Explore Digraph Flashcards →]
Digraph Worksheets
Reinforce digraph recognition, blending, word reading and spelling.
[Explore Digraph Worksheets →]
Digraph Word Lists
Use printable word lists to practise reading and spelling words containing common digraphs.
[Explore Digraph Word Lists →]
When Are Digraphs Taught?
Digraphs are introduced at different points depending on the phonics programme being used.
Common consonant digraphs such as sh, ch, th and ng are often introduced during Phase 3.
Children encounter additional vowel digraphs and alternative graphemes as they progress through later phonics phases.
During Phase 5, children learn many alternative spellings and pronunciations, meaning they encounter an increasingly wide range of digraphs.
[Explore Phase 3 Phonics →]
[Explore Phase 5 Phonics →]
Digraphs FAQs
What is a digraph?
A digraph is two letters that work together to represent one phoneme. For example, sh represents the /sh/ sound in ship.
What are some examples of digraphs?
Common digraphs include sh, ch, th, ng, ai, ee, oa, oo, ar, or, ur, ow and oi.
How many sounds are in a digraph?
A digraph contains two letters but represents one phoneme.
Is sh a digraph?
Yes. sh is a consonant digraph representing the /sh/ phoneme.
Is ch a digraph?
Yes. ch is a consonant digraph representing the /ch/ phoneme in words such as chip and chop.
Is th a digraph?
Yes. th is a digraph. It can represent two different phonemes, as in thin and this.
What is the difference between a digraph and a blend?
In a digraph, two letters represent one phoneme, such as sh in ship.
In a consonant blend or cluster, each letter represents its own phoneme, such as st in stop:
/s/ /t/ /o/ /p/
What is the difference between a digraph and a trigraph?
A digraph contains two letters representing one phoneme, while a trigraph contains three letters representing one phoneme.
For example:
sh → /sh/
igh → /igh/
How do I teach digraphs?
Start by introducing the grapheme and its phoneme. Help children identify the digraph in words, blend words containing the digraph, segment words for spelling and practise reading it in sentences.
Continue Learning Phonics
Digraphs are an important part of children’s phonics development.
[Explore Phase 3 Phonics →]
Or continue exploring our phonics guides: