Harry Potter Books in Order
Table of Contents
Introduction
Showing 7 of 7
| 1 | 1 | 1997 | |
| 2 | 2 | 1998 | |
| 3 | 3 | 1999 | |
| 4 | 4 | 2000 | |
| 5 | 5 | 2003 | |
| 6 | 6 | 2005 | |
| 7 | 7 | 2007 |
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The seven-book reading order
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1997), also titled Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in the US
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1999)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007)
For a first read, follow this sequence: publication order follows the main story as Harry grows up. The years shown are the first UK publication years. The first US edition of Sorcerer’s Stone followed in 1998, and the US Chamber of Secrets in 1999.
Each novel builds on earlier friendships, discoveries and mysteries. The short notes attached to the books give you a sense of each stage without revealing its ending.
Choose the edition you enjoy reading
Philosopher’s Stone and Sorcerer’s Stone are the same first novel, with different titles for different markets. Either edition completes the first row.
Paperbacks, hardbacks, ebooks, unabridged audiobooks, illustrated editions and different cover collections let you experience the same seven novels in different ways. Use the edition you prefer and mark each story once. Page counts vary by edition, so the list uses reading order and publication year rather than one supposedly universal book length.
Continue exploring after the seven novels
The seven rows track Harry’s original novel series. These additional books offer different ways to spend more time in its world:
| Book | What it offers | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Harry Potter and the Cursed Child | A play script set after the original series | Read after Deathly Hallows; it is described as the eighth story |
| Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them | A wizarding-world textbook about magical creatures | A companion to browse alongside or after the novels |
| Quidditch Through the Ages | Background on the wizarding sport | A companion for readers interested in the game |
| The Tales of Beedle the Bard | Wizarding fairy tales with accompanying commentary | Especially rewarding after Deathly Hallows |
The three companion books form the Hogwarts Library collection. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is also the title of a film screenplay; the creature textbook and screenplay are different books.
Cursed Child is a play by Jack Thorne, based on an original story by J. K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne. Its script offers a different reading format from the seven novels, so it appears here as a follow-on rather than an eighth completion row.
Reading the books alongside the films
For a book-and-film readalong, finish each novel before watching its corresponding adaptation. That keeps the book’s discoveries ahead of the film and gives you a chance to notice what the adaptation changes.
The first six novels each have one corresponding Harry Potter film. Deathly Hallows is adapted as Part 1 and Part 2, so the seven novels become eight films. Keep your film progress separately from this reading list.
Continue your reading
After reading, follow the adaptations with our Harry Potter movies in order. For a different fantasy world, explore Sarah J. Maas books.
Who it's for
This Harry Potter Books in Order is for anyone who wants a simple, practical way to get things done without missing steps.
- Avoid forgetting - keep all your Harry Potter Books in Order essentials in one place (external memory)
- Save time - start from a proven Harry Potter Books in Order structure instead of a blank page
- Stay on track - track progress, come back later, and keep momentum
- Coordinate with others - share the list and divide responsibilities
- Learn the process - follow the steps in a sensible order, even if it's your first time
How to use
Start with book 1 and follow the Reading order column through book 7.
Open a title for a short note, and check off each novel when you finish it in your preferred edition.
Save your checklist to keep your reading progress and update it in the app.
Choose Save & Compare to read along with friends. Each person keeps their own checklist while the group shows your progress together.