The hosts lost Liam Moore and Tom McIntyre to injury at both ends, with Regan Slater opening the scoring for Hull.
A goal from former England striker Andy Carroll just before half-time put Reading back in the game but neither side could find a winner in the second half.
Both sides have nothing to play for this season, with the Royals nine points above the relegation zone and Hull two above them.
Hull, looking buoyed by their midweek display against leaders Burnley despite the loss, put their early runs to good use, with Malcolm Ebiowei and Alayar Sayadmanesh blocked within the first 10 minutes.
Reading’s response was a break and a pass from Lucas Joao, which was blocked by Carroll and Cesare Cassaday. Joao then saved Andy Yadom’s header from Joe Lumley.
The Royals were forced into an early substitution when Moore left after just 15 minutes with a hamstring problem and was replaced by Scott Dann.
The hosts were then forced into a second substitution five minutes from the break when McIntyre was replaced by Nesta Guinness-Walker.
Reading was already behind when McIntyre came on, while Slater tapped in a perfect through ball from Adama Traore and quickly turned past Lumley.
But their luck changed a minute before half-time when Cassaday’s header bounced off two defenders and fell into the hands of former Liverpool and Newcastle player Carroll, who slotted the ball into the corner to equalize.
Reading’s resurgence continued early in the second half with plenty of possession, but they struggled to create clear chances.
Hull had their chance after the hour when skipper Louis Coyle overlapped and slotted in a dangerous cross, only for Dunn to clear Reading’s line.
Ebiowei also had a chance for the visitors but hit the bar after slipping away from three Royals defenders.
The goalkeeper wasn’t too worried for the rest of the game as Reading’s streak of four straight defeats ended.
Reading manager Paul Ince told BBC Radio Berkshire:
“Right now, it’s not about playing good football but about scoring points. We conceded a goal – sloppy play to realize at the near post. But the response was incredible – especially on the right – we caused many problems.
“And we scored at the right time. In the first half, we said, ‘Listen, guys, we just have to keep going – it’s going to be a tough second half.’
“The players were completely exhausted, especially after our four tough games against the top four. And this is what it looked like for the last five minutes.”
