How do I build a daily Quran reading habit?

Mostly by starting small, attaching it to something you already do, and keeping it regular. Five minutes every day does more than an hour once a month. The Prophet ﷺ said the most beloved deeds to Allah are those done regularly, even if small, so a tiny daily habit is exactly what Islam encourages.

Why small and regular works

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately... the most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant even if it were little" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6464). Aisha also reported that the acts most pleasing to Allah are those done continuously, even if they are small (Sahih Muslim 783). On another occasion he told people to do only the good deeds they could keep up (Sahih al-Bukhari 5861). So don't aim for what looks impressive; aim for what you can keep doing.

Steps to build the habit

Pick a tiny target: one page, ten verses or five minutes. It should feel almost too easy.
Attach it to something you already do: read right after Fajr, after Maghrib, with your morning coffee or just before bed. Linking it to a fixed event means you don't need to remember.
Keep the Quran where you will see it: on your pillow, desk or bag, or an app on your home screen.
Remove friction: put a bookmark where you left off, and keep your glasses and a notepad close by.
Track it: tick a calendar or use an app. Seeing a chain of days builds motivation.

If you are not sure how much to aim for, see How much Quran should I read every day? And if you are new to reading it, see Where should I start reading the Quran as a new Muslim?

When life gets busy

Shrink it, don't skip it: on a hard day, read a single verse or a short surah. Keeping the chain alive is what counts.
Listen: in the car, on a walk or while doing chores. Listening can keep your connection going when you can't sit down.
Use waiting time: a few verses on the bus, in a queue or during a break all add up.

If you miss a day

Listening to a recitation is a good fallback on days you can't read. See Is listening to the Quran as good as reading it?

You will miss days; everyone does. Don't try to double up and don't give up. Just restart the next day with your small target. A steady, gentle pace lasts far longer than a burst of effort that burns you out.

Make it meaningful

Read a translation alongside the Arabic if you can, and pause on one verse that stays with you. A habit with understanding is easier to keep than a habit of just ticking a box. When you finish a full round, you can start another. See What do I do when I finish reading the Quran?

Key points

The most beloved deeds to Allah are regular ones, even if small (Sahih al-Bukhari 6464).
Start with a tiny target and attach it to an existing routine.
On busy days, shrink the habit instead of skipping it.
If you miss a day, simply restart the next day.

Tip: Put your Quran or phone app next to your prayer mat. Reading just one page after each prayer you already pray can give you five pages a day without adding any new time to your schedule.