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 CODE FOR FREE

76 OF THE BEST PLACES TO LEARN TO


CODE FOR FREE
April 8th, 2020 | Get awesome (and free) stuff here

If you’re brand new to the world of coding and web


development, it makes sense to start by teaching
yourself using all the free learn-to-code resources
online.
By taking advantage of these resources as you learn to code for free,
you can discover what you like and don’t like before investing money
into a certain coding language or set of courses. Once you've gone
through enough free coding lessons to find that direction, you'll be
able to channel your passion to continue learning how to code online
most efficiently.

However, there are so many free coding resources and classes


and books to choose from. How do you know which are the best
places to learn coding online?
Well, I did some research to save you the time! Here are 76 of the best
websites to learn how to code for free–from simple programming
tutorials to full online coding courses. To make things easier, I broke
these learn-to-code resources down based on topic. Use the table of
contents below to jump around.

Disclosure: I’m a proud affiliate for some of the resources mentioned


in this article. If you buy a product through my links on this page, I
may get a small commission for referring you. Thanks!

Don't miss this list of 76 places where you can learn to


code…for free.
CLICK TO TWEET

Table of Contents

 General Coding Websites and Course Platforms

 YouTube Channels to Learn Code Online

 Blogs to Help You Learn Programming

 Learn the Command Line Online

 Learn Git and Github for Free

 Learn to Code HTML and CSS for Free

 Learn to Code JavaScript for Free


 Learn WordPress for Free

 Learn to Code Python Free Online

 Learn to Code Ruby for Free

 Learn Data Science / Analysis Free

 Learn Machine Learning / AI for Free

 Learn Cybersecurity for Free

 Learn Mobile App Development for Free

 Learn UI / UX Design for Free

Please note: all information, topics taught, etc., have been taken at
time of updating (March 2020) and are definitely subject to change.
Thanks!

START CODING NOW

Stop waiting and start learning! Get my 10 tips on teaching


yourself how to code.

GET THE TIPS!Don't worry. I'll never, ever spam you!


GENERAL FREE CODING WEBSITES &
COURSE PLATFORMS

1. CODECADEMY

Codecademy is where most people who are new to coding get their
start. On their platform, you can learn how to program among
other technical skills. Its reputation is well-deserved. Codecademy
revolves around interactive learning; that is, you read a little, type
your code right into the browser, and see results immediately.

What free coding lessons they offer: HTML & CSS, JavaScript,


PHP, Python, Ruby, Angularjs, The Command Line, and more

2. FREECODECAMP

This free online coding school, created by Quincy Larson, teaches


coding first through an established curriculum (approx. 800 hours
total), then by giving you hands-on experience working on projects for
nonprofits. It's perfect for learners who want to learn how to code
online by getting practical, hands-on experience that will do some
good and look impressive on a resume.

Free coding certifications on offer: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, data


visualization, DevTools, QA testing, Node.js, React, jQuery, and more

3. COURSERA

Coursera is one of the best places to learn to code for free, with its
professional and versatile course options. The site is a large online
course library where classes are taught by real university professors.
All courses are free of charge, but you have the option to pay for a
“Coursera Verified Certificate” (prices range between $30-$100) to
prove course completion. Sometimes paying for a certificate also
grants access to content not available in the free versions. Coursera
also offers “Specializations,” which are collections of courses on a
specific topic, typically with a capstone project at the end.

What free coding courses they offer: Many (far beyond your basic
coding/computer science topics)
4. EDX

EdX is an open-source higher education program governed by MIT


and Harvard, making it another high-caliber resource where you can
learn to code for free online. The site offers over 600 great courses
under the “computer science” category, teaching various coding
languages.

Free programming courses offered: Java, C#, Python, and many


more

5. CODEWARS

Codewars offers a fun and unique way to learn coding. With a martial-
arts theme, the program is based on challenges called “kata.”
Complete them to earn honor and progress to higher ranks. This is a
fun way to learn programming online if you're motivated by a little
gamification!

Coding challenges they offer: CoffeeScript, JavaScript, Python,


Ruby, Java, Clojure, and Haskell

6. CODE CONQUEST

Code Conquest is a free online guide to coding for beginners. The


coding website is perfect for those who haven’t got a clue where to
start. Learn how to learn to code, watch free tutorials, download cheat
sheets, test your knowledge with quizzes, and more.

Topics taught: HTML/CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Ruby, jQuery, Swift,


Python and more
7. GA DASH

This is General Assembly’s free online learning platform. It's


entirely project-based–you build a “project” with each walkthrough–
making it ideal for those who like to get hands-on while learning to
code online.

They are one of the very few free learn-to-code resources that have a
course on how to build a Tumblr theme from scratch. Read my review
of it here.

What free coding projects they offer: HTML, CSS, JavaScript,


responsive design
8. KHAN ACADEMY

Khan Academy offers tons of subjects (as their front page says, “You
can learn anything”), including many on computer programming. A
few courses are offered for younger kids, too–so the whole family can
learn to code for free!

Coding resources they offer: JS, HTML/CSS, SQL, much more

9. MIT OPENCOURSEWARE

Competition to get into MIT may be stiff, but accessing their course
material online has no tuition or minimum SAT score. They maintain
an online library of every subject they teach, with no account required
for access; just browse for a course and start reviewing the material.
Yep…you can learn programming for free at MIT. What a world.

Courses offered: Many. Check out their website to see all the


programming ones offered.

10. THE ODIN PROJECT

Modern-day warriors can set sail for learning to code with the Odin
Project. It's made by the creators of Thinkful—a premier online
coding bootcamp—and the Odin Project is their free, open-source
version. While you learn to code for free with their programming
tutorials, you can check in for support from other students using
the online chat group!

Tech topics available: HTML, CSS, JavaScript & jQuery, Ruby


programming, Ruby on Rails
11. UDACITY

Udacity offers individual free coding courses, as well as


“nanodegrees” that train you for specific careers like front-end web
developer or data analyst. Course materials are free, but nanodegrees
require a tuition fee.

What free tech programs they offer: Many (not just coding)


Head back to the table of contents »

12. SOLOLEARN

SoloLearn is a social platform where anyone can learn to code. It's


different than other course providers because it's mobile-based: learn
coding on the go, on any device. With bite-sized lessons,
achievements to unlock and interactive quizzes, it makes learning to
code fun, and it's free to download.

Coding lessons they offer: Many

13. THE CODE PLAYER

A compilation of video-based online coding tutorials to help you walk


through a process from start to finish. Good for learning code online
with “smaller” projects/tasks one at a time.

Free coding tutorials available: HTML5, CSS3, Javascript, Regex,


JQuery

14. BENTO.IO

Their mission is to inspire people to become programmers by making


learning to code accessible, affordable, and fun. Given that they offer
over 200 technology topics, anything you've been thinking about
learning, you can find here.

Web development tracks to choose from: Many


15. UDEMY

They offer both paid and free coding classes. Note that on Udemy,
courses can be created by anyone, so make sure to read reviews.
Coupons can also be easily found, too, and sales are frequent. Check
out their development courses here.

Free coding courses they offer: Many

16. UPSKILL

Free project-based, web development bootcamp. You'll learn to code


by building a fictional startup called DevMatch, which will teach you
how to code features found in sites like Facebook, Dropbox,and
Salesforce.

Topics taught: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Ruby on Rails, Git,


Bootstrap and more

17. CODE.ORG

Code.org provides learning materials specifically dedicated to


increasing the rates of female and minority students entering computer
science careers. Their free coding courses are designed for K-12
students, but can be useful to all ages. Start out with their quick Hour
of Code tutorials, or build projects in lab courses.

Coding courses offered: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, block


programming

18. SCOTCH.IO
This free coding website covers lots of topics related to web
development and workflow. The programming learning platform
features short courses, tutorials, guides, blog posts, and videos.

Free coding resources available: Angular, node.js, laravel, Sublime


Text, and more.

19. HACKR.IO

This isn't a learn-to-code platform itself, but it's a great list of


community-curated programming resources. Simply search for the
language you want to learn and you’ll get a list of the best online
courses, tutorials, and books recommended by coders.

Free coding lessons they offer: None, but they recommend many


20. W3SCHOOLS

Perfect for beginner coders, W3Schools is the world’s largest web


developer site, offering free coding tutorials and reference materials
for learning just about every aspect of web programming. You can
also test your skills with quizzes and complete coding exercises using
their online editor.

What free coding tutorials they offer: HTML, CSS, JavaScript,


SQL, PHP, jQuery, and more

21. CODERBYTE

Learn to code by doing it! Coderbyte teaches you the basics of popular
programming languages and lets you build up your new skills using
their library of 300+ coding challenges and solutions.

Free coding coding challenges: JavaScript, Ruby, Python, HTML,


CSS, Node.js, and more

22. MICROSOFT VIRTUAL ACADEMY

Microsoft Virtual Academy’s Learning Paths are curated free coding


courses designed to help you build valuable skills through video
tutorials, demos, assessments, and more. You’ll also get access to free
e-books, helpful downloads, and a community support forum.

Free coding learning paths available: MEAN stack, SQL, Azure,


ASP.NET, HTML

23. EDABIT
Edabit is “like Duolingo for learning to code,” offering bite-sized
coding challenges that simulate what programming is like in the real
world.

Topics their challenges cover: Java, JavaScript, PHP, Python, C#,


C++, Ruby, Swift
24. LAUNCH SCHOOL OPEN BOOK SHELF

Written to supplement Launch School’s software engineering


curriculum, these free coding books will help you learn the basic
foundational building blocks of popular languages.

What free coding topics they cover: Git and GitHub, the Command
Line, Ruby on Rails, SQL

25. CLASSPERT

Classpert is a search engine that helps you find and compare online
courses in computer science, data science, business, and more. It’s
able to search through 175,000 free and paid courses from more than
25 coding websites, so you’ll be spoiled for choice. You can even
watch course previews and compare syllabuses side-by-side to find the
best course for you. It’s a great way to sort through the noise to find
coding classes that are perfect for your goals.

Head back to the table of contents »

YOUTUBE CHANNELS TO LEARN CODE


ONLINE

26. LEARNCODE.ACADEMY
One of my personal favorites! This learn-to-code channel features
web-development-focused videos made by Will Stern. There are a ton
of free coding tutorials on JavaScript and other languages, plus videos
about the various tools developers use.

What free coding videos they offer: Sublime Text, Responsive


Design, Node.js, Angular.js, Backbone.js, Deployment Strategies, and
more

Subscribers: 662K
27. THENEWBOSTON

Here you'll find over 4,000 videos on a range of programming, game


development, and design topics. It's one of the more popular channels,
with over two million subscribers learning to code with them.

What free programming videos they offer: Android development, C


programming, MySQL, Python, and more

Subscribers: 2.4M

28. DEREK BANAS

Banas' specialty is condensing information about coding languages


into a single video per language. Good for viewers who like longer but
more thorough videos instead of bite-sized chunks, or want to watch
overview videos of languages before diving into coding
classes/curriculums.

Free coding videos available: Java, Ruby, PHP, C++, HTML,


Android, Python, Assembly language, and more

Subscribers: 1.03M
29. PROGRAMMINGKNOWLEDGE

A channel perfect for absolute beginners who want a foundation to


learn to code. Step-by-step tutorial playlists cover various languages
without assuming prior knowledge.

What free coding videos they offer: Java, Python, C, JavaFX,


Android programming, Bootstrap, and more.

Subscribers: 1.13M

Head back to the table of contents »

BLOGS TO HELP YOU LEARN


PROGRAMMING

30. DAVID WALSH

This coding blog is run by David Walsh (a senior developer at


Mozilla), although there are others who write on the site, too. Dive
into free coding tutorials, how-tos, demos, and more.

31. SOFTWAREHOW

All about learning how to use software tools to solve common


problems you encounter in tech. Tips, guides, and specific software
reviews.
32. SITEPOINT

They have lots of writers and publish often. Topics range from HTML
and CSS to entrepreneurship. The coding website also offers paid
books and courses on SitePoint Premium. Make sure to check out their
newer “collections” – which include coding tutorials on topics like
WordPress security, React.JS, and Swift. (And new ones are added
daily!)
33. ENVATO TUTS+

Tons of free programming tutorials, as well as paid options like actual


programming courses. Has over 1,270+  expertly-instructed video
courses (on all topics, not just computer-related). Also publishes
eBooks.

Want to learn to code? Here are 76 places where you can


start learning…for free!
CLICK TO TWEET

34. A LIST APART

Lots of authors participate in A List Apart. They write books, have


events, and run a great development/design blog. In addition to
programming blog content, they have categories on other professional
topics like design, UX, and business. See all code topics here.

35. CSS-TRICKS

This coding website goes very thoroughly into CSS with their big, bad
CSS almanac. However, the blog now goes beyond just CSS and talks
about other things like Sass, JavaScript, PHP, and more. Explore tons
of programming resources and check out their code snippets.
Head back to the table of contents »

LEARN THE COMMAND LINE ONLINE

36. LEARN ENOUGH COMMAND LINE TO BE


DANGEROUS

Free command line tutorial for complete beginners. Walks you


through the basics of the Unix command line—no technical
prerequisites required.

37. COMMAND LINE POWER USER

Free video series created by Wes Bos. More at an intermediate level,


so not for total newbies.
38. CONQUERING THE COMMAND LINE

Free online book by Mark Bates that goes very in-depth. You can
purchase hard copy or screencasts.

Head back to the table of contents »

LEARN GIT AND GITHUB FOR FREE

39. GIT IMMERSION

A guided tour to teach you the basics of Git. Set preferences and
create your own projects.

40. TRY GIT

An interactive series of challenges to learn about and experiment with


Git.
Head back to the table of contents »

LEARN TO CODE HTML AND CSS FOR


FREE

41. HTML5 DOG

Start learning to code with one of the simplest languages. You can
find an HTML beginner tutorial here. (They also offer intermediate
and advanced HTML tutorials.) CSS tutorials are here.

WANT TO GET BETTER WITH HTML?

Download my free HTML5 cheat sheet below.

GET IT NOWDon't worry. I'll never, ever spam you!

42. MARKSHEET

An online coding resource for beginners. Broken down into four


chapters: the web, HTML5, CSS3, and Sass. It’s like an online ebook,
but under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-
ShareAlike 4.0 International License, so you can adapt it for your
needs.

43. MOZILLA DEVELOPER NETWORK


Free documentation on HTML and CSS (also JavaScript). Has
tutorials for people of different levels, introductory to advanced.
44. LEARN TO CODE HTML & CSS (VIA SHAY HOWE)

Online coding tutorials to help you build beautiful and intuitive


websites. Covers a variety of web design and development topics,
ranging from beginner to advanced.

Head back to the table of contents »

LEARN TO CODE JAVASCRIPT FOR FREE

45. JAVASCRIPT FOR CATS

It’s like a book on a single webpage, broken down into sections about
learning to code JavaScript…with cats. Created by programmer Max
Ogden. Filled with non-cat gifs but has cat pics at the end. Just
because. Lol.
46. NODESCHOOL

Has in-person workshops and events all over the world, as well as an
active web presence. See their online coding tutorials here.

47. LEARN JS

Another hands-on way to learn code online! As you go through


lessons, you can type in the window at the bottom. Created by the
same folks who make learnpython.org.

48. ELOQUENT JAVASCRIPT

Another online coding book, but longer than most. It has big-tech
financial backers like Mozilla and Hack Reactor (“the Harvard of
coding bootcamps”).

49. JAVASCRIPT.COM

9 mini-lessons created by Code School. Quick and perfect online


coding tutorial for absolute beginners. (Warning: JS in real life is a lot
tougher.) At the end, it points you to more in-depth JS learning
materials.
50. WATCH & CODE

Straightforward, no-nonsense free JavaScript video tutorials. Designed


to take you from zero to advanced level. Plus, participate in weekly
live study sessions for community support as you learn to code.

Head back to the table of contents »

LEARN WORDPRESS FOR FREE

51. WORDPRESS.TV

Recordings of live WordCamp lectures around the world. Created


by Automattic.

52. WPBEGINNER

Website for beginner WP users. Great WP glossary of terms, plus


coupon deals, video tutorials, and a blog which publishes useful
articles by different authors.
Bonus resource: WordPress is a great content management system
for blogging. If you're interested in creating your own blog, I highly
recommend checking out my friend Ryan Robinson's detailed guide
on starting a blog.

53. JOY OF WP

Over 50 free WordPress training videos in 6 modules all designed to


help you build your website.

Head back to the table of contents »

LEARN TO CODE PYTHON FREE ONLINE

54. A BYTE OF PYTHON

Free online book for beginners learning to code. You can choose to
download it for free as a PDF or spend money for a hard copy.

55. LEARNPYTHON.ORG

Learn to code Python for free in a hands-on way with this interactive
online coding tutorial. It has a little window at the bottom where you
can write your code as you go through the lessons.
56. LEARN PYTHON THE HARD WAY (WEBSITE)

The book costs money, but the coding website is free. Written by Zed
Shaw. (I used the book when I first started learning.)

Head back to the table of contents »

WANT TO MASTER PYTHON?

Then download my list of favorite Python learning resources.

SEE THE LISTDon't worry. I'll never, ever spam you!

LEARN TO CODE RUBY FOR FREE

57. LEARN RUBY THE HARD WAY

Another book written by Zed Shaw. A free HTML version of the book
is available online. Buying the hard copy also gets you access to
videos.

58. RAILS FOR ZOMBIES

A quick, interactive way to learn software coding with Ruby on Rails


right in your browser. Learn Rails basics like models, views, and
controllers in just 1 hour. Created by Code School.
59. RAILS TUTORIAL

The 14-chapter book by Michael Hartl. You can purchase ebooks,


screencasts from author, and more. Or just read it for free online.

60. RUBY KOANS

The Koans walk you along the path to enlightenment in order to learn
Ruby. With this method, you’ll learn Ruby syntax and some of the
language quirks quickly.

61. RUBYMONK

Entirely free resource, though you have the option to donate. Based on
interactive online coding tutorials, where you read a lesson and type in
code. Lastly, “run” it.

RubyMonk has one beginner course option, two intermediate, and one
advanced.

62. RUBY IN 20 MINUTES

Created by the official Ruby website, this is a great option for


beginners learning to code Ruby. You’ll learn the basics of the
language in 20 minutes or less, giving you a solid starting point.

Head back to the table of contents »


LEARN DATA SCIENCE / ANALYSIS FREE

63. DATAQUEST

Hands-on free coding courses that teach you the skills you need to
become a data scientist, data analyst, or data engineer. Build projects
in your browser and work on real-life data science problems.
64. SPRINGBOARD

A short but intensive intro to data analysis. Learn how to manipulate


and analyze data with a carefully planned out curriculum made up of
free online lectures, homework assignments, projects, and more. (Plus,
no background in data analysis or programming needed!)

65. ELITEDATASCIENCE

No-nonsense data science and machine learning guides, mini-courses,


and tutorials for busy people learning programming online. You can
also download code cheat sheets, checklists, and worksheets to shorten
the data science learning curve.

Head back to the table of contents »

LEARN MACHINE LEARNING / AI FOR


FREE

66. MACHINE LEARNING MASTERY

Created by professional developer and machine learning practitioner


Jason Brownlee, PhD. Offers free tutorials and resources, including
a free machine learning crash course, for getting started in machine
learning and beyond.
67. GOOGLE AI

Learn from ML experts at Google. Offers resources—including


tutorials, courses, videos, and exercises—to help you develop AI
skills. Perfect for beginners all the way up to seasoned machine
learning engineers.
Head back to the table of contents »

LEARN CYBERSECURITY FOR FREE

68. CYBRARY

Free crowd-sourced cybersecurity and IT learning videos. Covers


topics like computer and forensics, cryptography, and cyber threat
intelligence.
69. O’REILLY SECURITY EBOOKS

Dive deep into the world of cybersecurity with these free ebooks.


Learn about the dark net, privacy, cyber crime, and more.

Head back to the table of contents »

LEARN MOBILE APP DEVELOPMENT FOR


FREE

70. ANDROID DEVELOPERS

Official site for Android app developers. Learn how to build your first
Android app with detailed online coding tutorials and training courses.

71. GOOGLE DEVELOPERS TRAINING

Free, self-paced online coding courses for both Android beginners and
experienced developers. Created by experts at Google and Udacity.
72. START DEVELOPING IOS APPS (SWIFT)

Part of Apple’s documentation archive, this is a perfect starting point


for learning to code real-world iOS apps that run on iPhone and iPad.

73. SWIFT PLAYGROUNDS

iPad app that lets you experiment with Swift through interactive mini-
puzzles. Plus, you’ll get to see your code run in a beautiful 3D world.
Head back to the table of contents »

LEARN UI/UX DESIGN FOR FREE

74. THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HUMAN-COMPUTER


INTERACTION

An in-depth, 52-chapter look at UI/UX and interaction design. Covers


everything you need to know about designing interactive products,
like websites, software, smartphones, and even household objects.

75. UXPIN

Tons of free UX e-books and guides covering mobile and web


prototyping, wireframing, mockups, usability testing, and much more.
76. UX BEGINNER

Subscribe to free weekly design training and dive into the world of
UI/UX with free resources, blog articles, and curated lists of the best
UX courses, podcasts, and books.

Head back to the table of contents »

The big, bad list of places where you can learn to code…for
free! See all 76 here.
CLICK TO TWEET

CONCLUSION: THERE ARE SO MANY


FREE LEARN-TO-CODE RESOURCES!
As you can see, there are a ton of options you can use to learn to code
for free. And taking advantage of all the free online coding resources
out there is definitely the way to go when you’re just starting out.

However, sometimes even the best free coding courses will only get
you so far.

START CODING NOW

Stop waiting and start learning! Get my 10 tips on teaching


yourself how to code.

GET THE TIPS!Don't worry. I'll never, ever spam you!


So once you have the basics down, you’ll want to start exploring paid
options. Check out some of my favorite paid platforms, tools, and
resources here.

If you’re looking for a place to ask beginner-level questions, share


resources, and seek advice, join Learn to Code With Me Community
—a free online community for self-taught coders.

Did I miss any awesome free coding tutorials/courses/books? Let me


know in the comments below!

Note: there are affiliate links in this post.

 LEARNING TO CODE

LAURENCE BRADFORD
Hey, my name is Laurence. I am the creator of Learn to Code With Me, a blog for beginners
teaching themselves how to code. Once upon a time, I was digitally unsavvy. But not
anymore. Find out how I changed my life by teaching myself digital skills here.

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