Best Medical Terminology Book for Medical Coders (2026)

A coder facing a chart full of unfamiliar terms needs the language behind the code, and the best medical terminology book for medical coders teaches word parts, anatomy and coding systems together. This list compares coding textbooks, a medical dictionary, a laminated basics guide and a workbook for readers learning coding terminology.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Terminology 5th by Shiland	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Terminology 3rd by Shiland	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Dictionary by Merriam-Webster	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Medical Terminology Workbook by Meloni	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Medical Terminology by QuickStudy	9.2/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Terminology 5th by Shiland

Shiland·9.8/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 5th edition textbook pairing anatomy and physiology with ICD-10 and CPT terminology for coders.

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Pros

• 840 pages, more than 400 illustrations
• Evolve site with animations, quizzes and flashcards
• CPT-4 and HCPCS code lists at each chapter start

Cons

• No reading age or grade level stated
• Coding focus only, not a general dictionary
• Evolve access terms not stated

2

Terminology 3rd by Shiland

Betsy J. Shiland·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 3rd edition textbook combining anatomy and physiology with terminology for ICD-10 and CPT coding.

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Pros

• 824 pages in ICD-10 order
• Body Part key and root operation tables
• Evolve site with games and animations

Cons

• 3rd edition from 2017, older than the 5th
• No reading age or grade level stated
• Long textbook for quick lookups

3

Dictionary by Merriam-Webster

Merriam-Webster·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A medical dictionary with more than 39,000 terms and pronunciations.

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Pros

• More than 39,000 terms with pronunciations
• 1,000 new entries including recent drug names
• 896 pages, mass-market paperback

Cons

• 2016 edition, older than the textbooks here
• Dictionary only, no coding exercises
• No reading age or grade level stated

4

Medical Terminology Workbook by Meloni

S. Meloni M.D.·9.4/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An exercise workbook offering column matching, fill-in-the-blank, and crossword activities to reinforce medical terminology recall.

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Pros

• Offers multiple exercise types including matching columns, fill-in-the-blanks, and crosswords
• Designed to reinforce terms used in anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
• Recent publication date of April 20, 2022 from Medical Creations
• The description states it helps students prepare for exams such as the NCLEX and TEAS

Cons

• At 102 pages, it is the shortest publication in this roundup
• Designed primarily as a companion to a textbook rather than a standalone instructional guide
• No reading age or grade level is stated on the listing
• Does not include instructional reading chapters or pronunciation guides

5

Medical Terminology by QuickStudy

QuickStudy·9.2/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits a student who wants a laminated medical word reference, and who should skip it if the goal is the NREMT exam itself.

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Pros

• Laminated 8.5 x 11 inch chart with a visual and spatial layout, per the listing
• Covers word foundations, the human body, terminology sets and a glossary
• Includes synonyms and the five senses section, as the bullets state

Cons

• The listing does not mention EMT, NREMT or the EMT exam
• First listed January 30, 2007, and no publication date or edition is stated
• No page count is stated for this chart

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More picks to compare

• ICD-10 Coding by Shiland792 pages, ICD-10 coding focus, 1st editionCheck on Amazon
• Terminology Guide by Sterling533 pages, systems-based guide for ICD-10, CPT codingCheck on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 25 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. None of the picks list a reading age or grade level, so that factor scores zero across the list. The coding textbooks lead on fit. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best medical terminology book for medical coders

Match the book to the coding system

Coders work in ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS and CPT, so a book built around those systems fits better. The Shiland textbooks pair anatomy and physiology with ICD-10 and CPT terminology. See also our best EMT books under 60.

Check the edition date

Coding terminology changes, so the edition date matters more than the page count. The 5th edition is dated December 25, 2024, while the 3rd edition is dated February 13, 2017.

Pair a textbook with a dictionary

A textbook teaches terms in order; a dictionary answers one-off lookups. The Merriam-Webster dictionary lists more than 39,000 terms with pronunciations. See our best spelling workbook for adults for another workbook list.

Before you buy

• Check the edition date: 5th edition December 25, 2024; 3rd edition February 13, 2017.
• Check whether the listing states an answer key or online access terms before buying.
• Check the format on the listing: the dictionary is a mass-market paperback and the QuickStudy guide is laminated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I learn medical terminology for coding?

Start with word parts and body systems, then coding examples. The Shiland textbooks organize pathology terms by ICD-10 disease and disorder categories.

What is the difference between the 3rd and 5th editions?

The 5th edition (December 25, 2024, 840 pages) is newer than the 3rd edition (February 13, 2017, 824 pages). The 5th edition adds updated ICD-10 terminology plus CPT-4 and HCPCS code lists at each chapter start.

Do I need a dictionary as well as a textbook?

A dictionary helps for lookups. The Merriam-Webster dictionary lists more than 39,000 terms with pronunciations, while the textbooks teach terms in coding order.

Still deciding? Our top pickTerminology 5th by Shiland

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Related lists

See every workbooks and homeschool list.

More lists: spelling workbook for adults, EMT books under 60, TEAS book for retakers.