Short Words (3–4 Letters) Kindergarten
CVC-style words like cat, bed and ship.
Longer Words (5–6 Letters) 1st Grade
One missing letter in a 5 or 6 letter word.
Two Missing Letters 2nd Grade
Two blanks per word for confident spellers.
Done with the worksheet? Practice it with a game!
Free online games that practice the same skill, no account needed.
More free worksheets
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About these worksheets
Missing letter worksheets sit between phonics and spelling: the picture tells the child the word, and they have to hear which sound is missing and match it to a letter. Short words use one blank; the longer-word sheets leave two letters out for children who are ready for more.
All worksheets are free for home and classroom use, print on one Letter or A4 page and come with an answer key. Every set is generated from the same word and number banks as our games, so "Make a new one" gives you unlimited practice.
Tips for parents & teachers
- Say the word slowly and stretch the sounds ("c-a-t") before deciding which letter is missing.
- Cover the answer key and let children check their own work with it afterwards.
- Play the Missing Letter game online right after: same words, same skill, instant feedback.