What is the difference between a digraph and a blend?

In a digraph (sh, ch, th), two letters make one completely new sound — you cannot hear the individual letters. In a blend (bl, cr, str), each consonant sound is still audible. 'Ship' has a digraph; 'slip' has a blend.

How many consonant digraphs are there in English?

The five most common consonant digraphs are ch, sh, th, ph, and wh. The 'th' digraph has two sounds: voiced (as in 'this') and voiceless (as in 'thin'). There are also less common digraphs like 'ck', 'ng', and 'gh'.

When should digraphs be taught?

Digraphs are typically introduced in kindergarten or early Grade 1, after students have mastered single consonant sounds and short vowels. They are essential for reading even the simplest sentences, since words like 'the' and 'that' contain digraphs.

Digraph Finder

Spots digraphs (ch, sh, th, ph, wh) in text — essential for phonics instruction. Free, no signup required.

How to Use Digraph Finder

Paste any text into the input area.
The tool highlights all consonant digraphs (ch, sh, th, ph, wh) in the text.
Each digraph is color-coded and counted for easy identification.
Use the results for phonics instruction or to assess text suitability for beginning readers.

Why It Matters

Digraphs are two letters that produce a single sound different from either letter alone. Without digraph knowledge, students cannot decode essential words like 'the', 'this', 'she', 'with', and 'much' — some of the most frequent words in English. Digraph instruction is critical in early phonics, typically introduced after single consonant sounds and short vowels are mastered.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a digraph and a blend?: In a digraph (sh, ch, th), two letters make one completely new sound — you cannot hear the individual letters. In a blend (bl, cr, str), each consonant sound is still audible. 'Ship' has a digraph; 'slip' has a blend.
How many consonant digraphs are there in English?: The five most common consonant digraphs are ch, sh, th, ph, and wh. The 'th' digraph has two sounds: voiced (as in 'this') and voiceless (as in 'thin'). There are also less common digraphs like 'ck', 'ng', and 'gh'.
When should digraphs be taught?: Digraphs are typically introduced in kindergarten or early Grade 1, after students have mastered single consonant sounds and short vowels. They are essential for reading even the simplest sentences, since words like 'the' and 'that' contain digraphs.

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