Bible Reading Plan 2026: Free Daily Schedule (Printable)

A Bible reading plan is the difference between wanting to read Scripture and actually doing it. If you've ever started January with good intentions only to fall behind by February, you're not alone—and you're in the right place.

This guide gives you everything you need: a complete 365-day Bible reading plan, practical tips for staying consistent, and a free printable schedule you can start today.

Why You Need a Bible Reading Plan

Reading the Bible without a plan is like traveling without a map. You might enjoy the scenery, but you'll likely wander, get lost, or give up before reaching your destination.

A structured Bible reading plan provides:

• Clear daily assignments — No decision fatigue about what to read
• Balanced coverage — Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs
• Measurable progress — Know exactly where you are in your journey
• Built-in accountability — A schedule keeps you on track

The Bible contains 66 books, 1,189 chapters, and over 31,000 verses. Without a plan, most people read the same familiar passages repeatedly while never experiencing large portions of Scripture.

Our Free 365-Day Bible Reading Plan

We've designed a blended reading plan that takes you through the entire Bible in one year. Each day includes:

• 2-3 Old Testament chapters — Moving through the historical and prophetic books
• 1 New Testament chapter — The Gospels, Acts, and Epistles
• 1 Psalm — Poetry and worship
• 1 Proverbs chapter — Daily wisdom (cycling through all 31 chapters monthly)

This approach keeps your daily reading varied and engaging. You're never stuck in lengthy genealogies or difficult passages for weeks at a time.

Time commitment: 15-20 minutes per day at average reading speed.

Start Day 1 of the reading plan →

How the Plan Works

Daily Structure

Each day's reading follows a consistent pattern:

Monthly Overview

Here's what you'll read each month:

January: Genesis, Matthew, Psalms 1-31

February: Exodus, Mark, Psalms 32-59

March: Leviticus-Numbers, Luke, Psalms 60-90

April: Deuteronomy-Joshua, John, Psalms 91-120

May: Judges-1 Samuel, Acts, Psalms 121-150

June: 2 Samuel-1 Kings, Romans-Corinthians, Psalms 1-30

July: 2 Kings-Chronicles, Galatians-Colossians, Psalms 31-61

August: Ezra-Job, Thessalonians-Hebrews, Psalms 62-92

September: Psalms-Proverbs, James-Jude, Psalms 93-123

October: Ecclesiastes-Isaiah, Revelation, Psalms 124-150

November: Jeremiah-Ezekiel, Matthew (again), Psalms 1-30

December: Daniel-Malachi, Mark-Luke, Psalms 31-61

Tips for Sticking with Your Plan

Starting is easy. Finishing takes strategy. Here's how to make it to December:

1. Choose a Consistent Time

The best time to read is whenever you'll actually do it. That said, morning readers tend to be more consistent—before the day's demands crowd out your intentions.

Pick one:

• Early morning — Start your day grounded in Scripture
• Lunch break — A midday reset
• Evening — Wind down with reflection

2. Create a Dedicated Space

Your brain associates locations with activities. Having a "Bible reading spot" triggers the habit automatically.

Ideas:

• A comfortable chair with good lighting
• Your kitchen table with morning coffee
• A quiet corner of your bedroom

3. Use the Two-Day Rule

Miss one day? No problem—just continue tomorrow. Miss two days in a row? That's where habits die.

The two-day rule: Never miss twice consecutively. If you miss Monday, Tuesday is non-negotiable.

4. Don't Try to "Catch Up"

Fell behind by a week? Don't try to read seven days of content in one sitting. You'll burn out and quit.

Instead:

• Pick up where you left off, OR
• Skip ahead to today's reading
• Accept that "close enough" is better than "gave up"

5. Track Your Progress

There's something powerful about checking boxes. Use our 365-day reading grid to mark completed days and watch your progress grow. Our reading calendar gives you a monthly view of your journey—perfect for seeing how far you've come and what's ahead.

6. Start with the Right Foundation

Before diving in, it helps to know where in the Bible to focus first. If you're new to Scripture, check out our guide on where to start reading the Bible for recommendations on the best books to begin with.

7. Pair Reading with Reflection

Reading without reflection is like eating without digesting. After each session, take 2-3 minutes to consider:

• What stood out to you?
• How does this apply to your life today?
• Is there something to thank God for or ask Him about?

This simple practice transforms passive reading into active engagement with God's Word.

Printable Bible Reading Schedule

Want a physical copy? Download our free printable PDF:

Download 2026 Bible Reading Plan (PDF) — One page per month with daily checkboxes

The printable includes:

• Daily reading assignments
• Checkbox for each day
• Monthly overview
• Tips for consistency

Print it, stick it in your Bible, and check off each day as you complete it.

Different Ways to Read the Plan

Not everyone reads the same way. Here's how to adapt the plan to your style:

The Completionist

Read every verse, every day, in order. Don't move on until you've finished the full assignment.

Best for: People who want thorough coverage and have 20+ minutes daily.

The Focused Reader

Pick one section to read deeply (Old Testament OR New Testament) and skim the others.

Best for: Those who prefer depth over breadth.

The Audio Hybrid

Listen to the Old Testament reading during your commute, then read the New Testament and Psalms at home.

Best for: Busy people who can multitask.

The Weekend Warrior

Read Monday-Friday only, using weekends to catch up or rest.

Best for: Those with demanding weekday schedules.

Common Questions About Bible Reading Plans

How long does it take to read the Bible in a year?

At average reading speed (200 words per minute), you'll spend about 15-20 minutes per day. The entire Bible takes roughly 70 hours to read aloud, spread across 365 days.

What if I miss a day?

Don't panic. Simply continue with the next day's reading. Trying to "catch up" by reading double often leads to burnout and quitting entirely.

Should I take notes while reading?

Optional but beneficial. Consider:

• Underlining meaningful verses
• Writing brief observations in a journal
• Using the BibleMate app to save highlights

Start simple—you can add journaling once the reading habit is established.

What translation should I use?

Any translation you'll actually read. Popular accessible options:

• NIV — Balance of readability and accuracy
• ESV — More literal, slightly formal
• NLT — Very readable, thought-for-thought
• NASB — Most literal, great for study

Our online reading plan uses the NHEB (New Heart English Bible), a modern, clear translation.

Can I start mid-year?

Absolutely. You can:

1. Start with Day 1 and finish next year
2. Jump to today's date and read "in sync"
3. Begin at a natural starting point (January 1, your birthday, etc.)

The goal is reading, not perfection.

How do I stay motivated when passages get difficult?

Some parts of Scripture—genealogies, Levitical laws, prophetic visions—can feel challenging. Remember:

• Difficult passages often contain profound truths once understood
• Our blended plan ensures you're never stuck in hard sections alone
• It's okay to read difficult passages faster and return to them later with a study Bible
• Community helps—share struggles with fellow readers who understand

Why This Plan Works

After helping thousands of readers complete the Bible, we've learned what works:

Variety prevents burnout. Mixing Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs daily keeps reading fresh. You're never stuck in Leviticus for three weeks straight.

Manageable chunks build habits. Twenty minutes is achievable. Hour-long reading sessions aren't sustainable for most people.

Community helps. Knowing others are reading alongside you provides accountability. Share your progress and encourage fellow readers.

Grace over guilt. Missed days happen. Our plan is designed for real life, not perfect conditions.

Start Your Journey Today

The best Bible reading plan is the one you'll actually follow. We've removed the barriers: no cost, no signup required, no app download necessary.

Your next step: Begin with Day 1 and read Genesis 1-3, Matthew 1, Psalm 1, and Proverbs 1.

Fifteen minutes from now, you'll have started a journey through the most influential book in human history. A year from now, you'll have read the entire thing.

The question isn't whether you have time. It's whether you'll make this the year you finally read the whole Bible.

Start Day 1 Now →

Get the BibleMate App

Want reminders, progress tracking, and offline reading? Download BibleMate for free:

• Daily push notifications
• Bookmark your progress
• Read without internet
• Available on iOS and Android

Download BibleMate →