Best PLC Programming Book: Top 10 Reads of 2025
Note: Updated For 2025
You can learn a lot about PLC programming from books. Everything from ladder logic and structured text, to how to use specific PLC platforms like the Siemens S7-1200.
In this collection below you will find all the best PLC programming books. Some of them are free to download as pdf and some are sold as books or e-books.
I curated this collection to help you navigate the vast sea of PLC programming books, ensuring you invest your time and money in quality resources that truly benefit you.
Online you will find many different types of PLC programming books. Most of them are about PLC programming in general. You can for example learn a lot about how a PLC works and a lot about the PLC programming languages. Especially ladder logic, which is probably the best language for beginners to start with.
Books offer an affordable learning path compared to online PLC training courses, which can be pricey. With books typically priced between $5 and $40, you get valuable knowledge without breaking the bank.
Moreover, these books are penned by experts with decades of hands-on experience in PLC programming and automation, offering insights from real-world applications and solutions.
For now, you will find many more books than online courses about PLC programming.
This is my collection of the best PLC programming books. If you have some recommendations for good books that are not in this collection, please leave a comment below or contact me.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Best PLC Programming Books
| Preview | Product | Key Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Best For Beginners
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Introduction to PLCs |
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Check Price |
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For PLC Technicians
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Technician's Guide to Programmable Controllers |
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Check Price |
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For Allen Bradley PLCs
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PLC Programming Using RSLogix 5000: Understanding Ladder Logic and the Studio 5000 Platform |
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Check Price |
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For Structured Text Programming
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PLC Controls with Structured Text (ST), V3: IEC 61131-3 and best practice ST programming |
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Check Price |
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For Siemens PLCs
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Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Tutorial, Siemens Simatic S7-1200 |
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Check Price |
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For RSLogix 500
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PLC Programming Using RSLogix 500: A Practical Guide to Ladder Logic and the RSLogix 500 Environment |
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Check Price |
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PLC Programming Using RSLogix 500: Basic Concepts of Ladder Logic Programming |
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Check Price |
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Introduction to PLCs: A beginner's guide to Programmable Logic Controllers |
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Check Price |
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Programming Plcs Using Rockwell Automation Controllers |
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Check Price |
Best Book for PLC Technicians
- Programmable, Controllers, Technician, Guid
- Borden, Terry (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 416 Pages - 01/27/2012 (Publication Date) - Cengage Learning (Publisher)
If you’re a technician who works with PLCs a lot (or are a budding technician who will be working with PLCs a lot), I would highly recommend the Technician’s Guide to Programmable Controllers. This is a great read to level-up your understanding of PLCs.
I would also recommend this book for people who are advanced in PLC programming, as the book is extremely comprehensive. It covers both the software and hardware side of PLCs.
Best PLC Programming Book for Beginners
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Hooper, Jay (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 120 Pages - 09/01/2006 (Publication Date) - Carolina Academic Press (Publisher)
Introduction to PLCs is our top pick for beginners who are brand new to PLC programming.
Having said that, if you know you’ll only be using Allen Bradley PLCs or Siemens PLCs, then one of the options below will be a better fit for you. These books are still tailored to beginners (i.e. not advanced users).
Best Allen Bradley PLC Programming Book
- Clark, Nathan (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 179 Pages - 02/16/2020 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
This is best for Allen Bradley PLCs running RSLogix 5000. The eBook is very cheap and affordable.
If you’re instead using an Allen Bradley PLC running RS RSLogix 500, the book below is best for RS RSLogix 500.
- Clark, Nathan (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 155 Pages - 10/23/2018 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
Best Siemens PLC Programming Book
- Tubbs, Stephen Philip (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 178 Pages - 06/20/2016 (Publication Date) - Stephen P. Tubbs (Publisher)
Best Structured Text Programming Book
- Antonsen, Tom Mejer (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 210 Pages - 06/30/2020 (Publication Date) - Books on Demand (Publisher)
PLC Controls with Structured Text (ST) is hands down the best book to learn about structured text programming.
This only comes as a physical copy, not an eBook. If you would prefer a structured text programming eBook, you might prefer the eBook below.
Best Structured Text Programming eBook
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Green, Curtis (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 156 Pages - 01/22/2018 (Publication Date)
The Programmable Logic Controller a Guide to Learning Structured Text Programming Quickly & Easily is a good eBook on structured text programming. Get this if you prefer this eBook over the physical copy.
(At the time of writing, PLC Controls with Structured Text (ST) is not available as an eBook)
Free PLC Training Books
While there are some free PDF downloads available, their quality often varies. However, they can be a great resource when you’re looking to learn without financial investment.
As a free alternative to the books mentioned above, I would recommend checking out this ladder logic tutorial. If you’re instead looking to learn about structured text programming, functional block diagrams or SCADA, here are some free guides on structured text programming, functional block diagrams (FBD), and SCADA systems.
