Short and Long Vowels

Short and Long Vowels
Understanding the difference between short and long vowels is crucial for learning to read and spell.

What Are Short Vowels?

• Short vowels are vowel sounds that are pronounced quickly and do not sound like the name of the letter.
• Found in simple one-syllable words, often in the CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) pattern.

What Are Long Vowels?

• Long vowels are pronounced the same as the letter’s name.
• Often found in words with specific spelling patterns, such as:
  Silent E (e.g., cake, kite, note).
  Vowel teams (e.g., rain, boat, see).
  Open syllables (e.g., go, me).
  

The following diagram compares the short and long vowels. Scroll down the page for more examples and songs to help you learn how to pronounce the and read short and long vowels words.

Long and Short Vowels for Kids: A E I O U

• Show Video Lesson

The Vowel Song: Long and Short Vowel Sounds
Learn about long and short vowel sounds a, e, i, o, and u

• Show Video Lesson

Long and Short Vowels Songs

• Show Video Lesson

Learn the sound of the letters

Learning Short Vowels

Short Vowels
Short A	Short E	Short I
Short O	Short U	Short Vowels

Learning Long Vowels

Long Vowels
Long A	Long E	Long I
Long O	Long U	Y (vowel)
Long Vowels	Short & Long Vowels

Compare Short & Long Vowels

Short & Long Vowels
Short & Long A	Short & Long E	Short & Long I
Short & Long O	Short & Long U

Learning Consonants

Consonants
Letter B	Hard C	Soft C
Letter D	Letter F	Hard G
Soft G	Letter H	Letter J
Letter K	Letter L	Letter M
Letter N	Letter P	Letter Q
Letter R	Letter S	Letter T
Letter V	Letter W	Letter X
Letter Y	Letter Z

Try the free Mathway calculator and problem solver below to practice various math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations.

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