Tom Holmes opened his Reading account with a spectacular bicycle kick but it was not enough to secure victory against fellow strugglers Hull.
The Royals defender put his side ahead through an eye-catching strike in first-half injury time - the first goal of his senior career.
But Tigers forward Mallik Wilks levelled 10 minutes after the restart and the home side could not find a winner, although Andy Carroll and Femi Azeez went close.
The point lifts Reading up a place to 20th, five points clear of the bottom three, while Hull remain 19th.
Hull, who went into the game on the back of four straight victories, started confidently and Wilks sent two opportunities sailing over the bar, as well as having an early goal ruled out for offside.