Choosing a Bible should be exciting, but the sheer number of editions can make it surprisingly difficult.

Even once you have decided that the New Living Translation (NLT) is right for you, there are still plenty of choices to make. Do you want a standard Bible or a study Bible? Large print or compact? A Bible for everyday reading, journalling, church, or as a gift?

And if you are buying in the UK, there is another question to consider: should you choose an Anglicised NLT Bible?

This guide will help you work out which NLT Bible best suits the way you want to read it.

First: why choose the NLT?

The New Living Translation is known for its clear, natural and contemporary English.

Rather than closely reproducing the sentence structure of the original Hebrew and Greek, the NLT aims to communicate the meaning of the biblical text in language that is easy to understand.

That makes it particularly popular for:

• everyday Bible reading
• people reading the Bible for the first time
• new Christians
• teenagers and young adults
• family Bible reading
• Bible study groups
• reading Scripture aloud
• anyone who finds more traditional translations difficult to follow

If you want a Bible that encourages you to keep reading rather than regularly stopping to work out what a sentence means, the NLT can be an excellent choice.

Should I buy an Anglicised NLT Bible?

For many UK readers, an Anglicised NLT is worth considering.

An Anglicised edition uses the New Living Translation adapted for readers who use British English. You may see British spelling, punctuation, measurements and familiar UK terminology rather than American conventions.

The underlying Bible translation remains the NLT. The main difference is that the text has been presented in a way that can feel more natural to British readers.

You may also see these editions described as:

• British Text NLT

• British-English NLT

• Anglicized NLT

If you live in the UK and simply want an NLT for everyday reading, an Anglicised edition is a very sensible place to start.

Best for: UK readers who want a straightforward everyday NLT.

Which type of NLT Bible is right for you?

The easiest way to choose is not to start with covers or colours.

Start with one question:

How are you most likely to use your Bible?

1. Best for everyday reading: a standard NLT Bible

If your main aim is simply to read the Bible regularly, you probably do not need an especially complicated edition.

A standard NLT Bible gives you the biblical text without large amounts of additional commentary or study material.

Look for:

• a comfortable font size
• a Bible that opens easily
• a size you are happy to hold
• one or two ribbon markers
• a durable binding
• an Anglicised edition if you prefer British English

A standard NLT is often the best choice for someone who wants a Bible for reading at home, following along at church or spending time with Scripture each day.

Who should choose one?

Choose a standard NLT if:

• you mainly want to read rather than study
• you want your first Bible
• you want something simple and uncluttered
• you already have separate Bible-study resources
• you want a Bible you can use every day

Best all-round choice: a standard Anglicised NLT with a comfortable print size.

2. Best for deeper study: an NLT Study Bible

If you regularly find yourself asking questions such as “What does this verse mean?”, a Study Bible may be worth the extra size and weight.

Study Bibles combine the biblical text with additional material that can include:

• explanatory notes
• introductions to each book
• maps
• timelines
• historical background
• cross-references
• information about biblical people and places
• articles explaining important themes

The NLT's accessible language can make it especially useful when combined with more detailed study notes.

The trade-off is that Study Bibles tend to be larger and heavier than standard editions, so they are often better suited to reading at home than carrying around every day.

Who should choose one?

An NLT Study Bible is a good option if:

• you want to understand passages in greater depth
• you lead or attend a Bible study
• you are studying theology
• you regularly prepare talks or sermons
• you want background information alongside the biblical text

Best for: readers who want explanation as well as Scripture.

3. Best for applying the Bible to everyday life: an NLT Life Application Bible

A traditional Study Bible often concentrates on questions such as:

What did this passage mean in its original context?

A Life Application Bible also asks:

What might this mean for the way I live today?

Life Application editions include notes designed to help connect biblical teaching with everyday decisions, relationships, faith and Christian living.

That can make them particularly useful for:

• personal devotions
• new Christians
• small groups
• readers wanting practical guidance
• people who want help moving from reading Scripture to applying it

If you sometimes finish a Bible passage thinking “I understand what it says, but what do I actually do with it?”, this style of Bible may be particularly helpful.

Best for: practical everyday discipleship.

4. Best for easier reading: a Large Print NLT Bible

Print size makes an enormous difference to how enjoyable a Bible is to read.

Bible publishers often try to fit a very large amount of text into a reasonably portable book. As a result, some standard Bibles use type that is smaller than you might expect.

If you:

• wear reading glasses
• experience eye strain
• read for long periods
• prefer more space on the page
• simply dislike small print

then consider an NLT Large Print Bible.

Do not assume that “large print” means an enormous Bible designed only for people with poor eyesight. There are many editions that balance larger text with a manageable overall size.

Check the actual font size

Terms such as large print, giant print and comfort print can vary between publishers.

Whenever possible, look at the actual point size and pictures of the inside pages rather than relying only on the description on the cover.

Best for: comfortable extended reading.

5. Best for taking with you: a Compact or Slimline NLT

If you want a Bible to carry to church, university, work or while travelling, size and weight become much more important.

A compact or slim NLT can easily fit into a:

• handbag
• backpack
• work bag
• suitcase

The compromise is usually smaller print.

Before choosing the smallest Bible you can find, think realistically about whether you will enjoy reading it. A Bible that fits perfectly into your bag but feels uncomfortable to read may spend most of its time staying there.

A slightly larger edition can sometimes be the better everyday choice.

Best for: travel, church and reading away from home.

6. Best for notes and creativity: an NLT Journaling Bible

If your Bible-reading habits involve pens, pencils, notes, reflections or artwork, consider a Journaling Bible.

These Bibles usually provide wider margins or dedicated space alongside the biblical text where you can write.

They can be particularly helpful for recording:

• sermon notes
• prayers
• observations
• cross-references
• questions
• favourite verses
• personal reflections
• Bible-study notes

Some journaling editions are designed primarily for writing, while others provide space for more creative Bible journalling.

One thing to check

If you like writing extensive notes, look carefully at photographs of the page layout before buying.

A Bible described as having margins may provide much less writing space than you expect.

Best for: readers who actively annotate their Bible.

Still not sure which NLT Bible to choose?

Think about these three questions:

1. Where will you read it?

Mostly at home? Prioritise comfort and print size.

Carrying it with you? Prioritise size and weight.

2. What do you want from it?

Simply reading Scripture? Choose a standard NLT.

Want explanations? Choose a Study Bible.

Want help applying it? Consider a Life Application Bible.

Want to write alongside the text? Choose a Journaling Bible.

3. What matters most to you?

If your answer is readability, choose larger print.

If it is portability, choose compact.

If it is British-English wording, choose an Anglicised edition.

If it is giving someone a special Bible, explore gift bindings and presentation editions.

Once you know those three things, the choice becomes much easier.

Whether you are buying your first Bible, replacing a much-loved copy or choosing one as a gift, taking a few minutes to think about how it will be used can help you find an NLT you will enjoy reading for years to come.

If you aren’t sure which Bible to get, there are a few ways we can help.

1. Try the Bible Finder: We’ve put together a simple way to filter down to the perfect Bible for you. Just choose a translation, pick the features you want and select a comfortable text size. You can try the Bible Finder here.
2. Read more from the Blog: We are always adding new guides, insights and articles that explore ways of understanding the different Bibles available today, as well as how to make your decision. Read our Bible posts today
3. Read our Book: Over the years, we’ve explored hundreds of topics and questions about knowing which Bible to get. We’ve compiled all that information into an easy-to-read eBook that is completely free to download. Download our book “How to Choose Your Bible” today.