Harry Potter books in order
All 7 Harry Potter books in order by J. K. Rowling (1997 to 2007): the reading order and where to start, with a one-line summary of each.
7 books1997 to 2007 J. K. Rowling
Where to start
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (1997)
An orphan discovers he's a wizard — and the dark wizard who killed his parents isn't done with him.
Read the summaryReading order
Harry Potter reading order
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
1997Start here
An orphan discovers he's a wizard — and the dark wizard who killed his parents isn't done with him.
Read the summaryHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
1998
A whispering diary, a hidden Chamber, and a boy who hears a monster no one else can.
Read the summaryHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
1999
The escaped prisoner hunting Harry isn't the monster — the rat sleeping on Ron's bed is.
Read the summaryHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
2000
A school contest turns grave: Harry's name in the Goblet seals Cedric's fate.
Read the summaryHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
2003
A boy nobody believes fights a government that lies — and pays in blood.
Read the summaryHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
2005
A battered textbook, a poisoned mead, and the memory that could kill Voldemort.
Read the summaryHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
2007
No home, no school, no plan—just three friends hunting pieces of a dark soul.
Read the summaryHarry Potter and the Cursed Child
2016Companion / novella
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a play written by Jack Thorne from an original story by Thorne, J. K. Rowling, and John Tiffany.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How many books are in the Harry Potter series?
There are 7 main books in the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling, published from 1997 to 2007, plus 1 companion story.
What order should I read the Harry Potter books in?
The Harry Potter books in order: 1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (1997), 2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998), 3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1999), 4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000), 5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003), 6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005), 7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007).
Which Harry Potter book should I read first?
Start with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (1997).
Who wrote the Harry Potter series?
The Harry Potter series was written by J. K. Rowling.
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Books and publication years are checked against Wikidata and Open Library. Titles link to our summary when we have one.