Last updated: July 20, 2026
With hundreds of tarot decks in print, choosing a first deck can feel overwhelming. The five decks below are commonly recommended starting points, each for a slightly different reason.
5 Tarot Decks for Beginners
Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot
The most widely referenced deck in print, making it easiest to pair with guidebooks and online resources.
Modern Witch Tarot
A contemporary, inclusive reimagining of the Rider-Waite-Smith imagery.
Wild Unknown Tarot
Known for its distinctive nature-based illustrations, popular among visually intuitive readers.
Light Seer’s Tarot
A softer, pastel-toned deck that has become popular with newer practitioners.
Everyday Witch Tarot
A playful, approachable deck often recommended for readers who want a lighter entry point.
What to Look for in a First Deck
Beyond artwork, many practitioners suggest choosing a deck whose card titles and structure closely follow the traditional 78-card format, so that guidebooks and other resources remain easy to cross-reference. See our full guide to the structure of a tarot deck.
