If you’re curious about coding but not sure where to start, there are some excellent online courses that can set you up with a solid foundation and arm you with the knowledge you need to start managing your own websites without the need for an outside developer.

In fact, many of the sites below allow you to access courses from some of the world’s best universities, including MIT and Harvard—many at no cost at all!

Even if you’re not sure about entering a career in web development, anyone can benefit from a bit of coding knowledge. It’s a highly sought skill, and knowing how to better manage your own sites will reduce your dependency on outside support.

So what are you waiting for? Check out these 29 great sites that can help you get started with coding, regardless of your experience level.

10 Best Sites for Free Coding Courses

These 10 sites offer excellent online coding courses for free.

1. BitDegree

BitDegree is an excellent resource for those just getting started with coding. In addition to their wide array of both free and paid courses, the site offers a TON of free information about the different programming languages, including dozens of informative articles, video tutorials, and more.

If you’re a self-starting learner, you could actually teach yourself to code just from these free resources alone. The information is also presented in a way that complete beginners could understand, starting from the basics. (For example, if you want to study HTML, you can start with their articles on “What is HTML?” or, “What Does HTML Stand For?”

Programs include:

• HTML
• CSS
• PHP
• JavaScript
• SQL
• Bootstrap
• Solidity
• jQuery
• Git
• Chrome DevTools

 

2. MIT OpenCourseware

MIT OpenCourseware is cool for a lot of reasons, not least of which is that you can access virtually all MIT course content for free and from anywhere in the world. While it’s not quite the same as getting a degree from MIT, you can still get yourself a world-class education and add some critical skills to your resume.

For those who want to study Computer Science, there are dozens of courses available in Programming Languages, Artificial Intelligence, Data Mining, Software Design, and more.

Programs include:

• Introduction to Computer Science and Programming
• Practical Programming in C
• Computer Language Engineering
• A Gentle Introduction to Programming Using Python
• Multicore Programming Primer
• Programming for the Puzzled
• Computational Methods of Scientific Programming

 

3. freeCodeCamp

freeCodeCamp is a donor-supported nonprofit organization whose mission is to help people learn to code for free. Their curriculum features thousands of articles, videos, and interactive lessons at no cost.

Learning is enhanced through various challenges that mimic real-world coding projects. Video tutorials and other resources will help you to complete each challenge.

Programs include: 

• Basic HTML and HTML5
• Basic CSS
• JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures
• Front End Libraries (Bootstrap, jQuery, Sass, Redux, and more)
• Data Visualization
• Apis and Microservices
• Information Security and Quality Assurance
• Coding Interview Prep

4. Khan Academy

Khan Academy offers an expansive library of free Computer Programming courses, starting from the basics and taking students all the way through to advanced applications.

With practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard, students can learn at their own pace with guidance from Khan’s team of experts.

Programs include:

• JavaScript Intro
• Intro to HTML
• Intro to SQL
• Advanced JS: Games and Visualizations
• Advanced JS: Natural Simulations
• HTML/JS: Making Webpages Interactive
• jQuery

5. edX

.

edX offers free online courses from Harvard, MIT, Microsoft, and 140 other leading institutions. In addition to computer programming, there are also dozens of courses offered in areas such as architecture, communication, energy, engineering, law, and philanthropy.

Programs include:

• Computer Science and Mobile Apps
• Computer Science and Game Development
• Introduction to Programming in Java
• C Programming with Linux
• Python Basics for Data Science
• HTML5 and CSS Fundamentals
• C Programming: Language Foundations

6. Codeasy.net

Codeasy offers C# tutorials for coding beginners. Students learn by traveling through an adventure story set in the future. Their mission? To save the world by coding!

Start from Elementary, Beginner, or Intermediate levels. At the Elementary level, you’ll learn: C# program structure; basic data types; if statements; console input and output; and string manipulations.

Topics include:

• The while loop
• Arrays
• Scopes
• Constants
• Type casts
• Static keywords
• The basics of access modifiers
• Interfaces
• Polymorphism

7. Dash General Assembly

Dash by General Assembly is a free online course that teaches students the fundamentals of web development through projects that can be done in your browser.

You’ll learn the basics of HTML, CSS3, and JavaScript as you complete small projects and learn how to design a beautiful, functional website of your own.

Lessons include:

• The right way to code HTML
• How to balance layout for content and navigation
• How to create a fully styled landing page
• Mobile responsive design
• How to create dynamic interfaces
• Animations and drop-and-drop

8. The Odin Project

The Odin Project aims to provide a high quality education that is available to all. Their curriculum is full of projects that enable students to learn by doing.

The site offers 3 tracks for students to choose from: the first takes you through their entire curriculum; the second focuses on JavaScript; and the third concentrates on front-end development.

Programs include:

• Web Development 101
• Ruby Programming
• Databases
• HTML and CSS
• JavaScript
• Getting Hired

9. Coursera

Coursera offers hundreds of free courses, covering everything from the humanities to health and data science. Each course features videos, quizzes, and various projects to make learning fun and interactive.

Students are also free to connect and interact with thousands of other learners to debate ideas and discuss the course material. All classes with Coursera are free to audit, although you will have to pay if you wish to receive certification.

Programs include: 

• Python for Everybody
• Deep Learning
• Developing Applications with Google Cloud Platform Specialization
• Algorithms
• Computer Security and Networks
• Applied Data Science with Python
• Java Programming and Software Engineering Fundamentals

10. Upskill

Upskill promises to help even coding beginners become job-ready programmers with their “learn by building” course library.

Their library currently boasts over 200 free lessons, and new lessons are added regularly. Lessons are taught by experienced instructors who break down even the most intimidating of concepts and make them easily understandable for beginners.

Programs include:

• HTML
• CSS
• The Ruby Language
• Setting Up to Code
• JavaScript and the Browser
• Build a Game in the Browser
• Build an Application from Scratch
• How to Use APIs

Paid Online Coding Courses

The following paid courses will help you learn coding on your own time.

11. Coding for Beginners: You Can Learn to Code

Coding for Beginners offers a beginner-friendly introduction to basic coding concepts. After taking this course, you’ll understand the foundation-level concepts that apply in most programming languages before you go onto learning syntax.

You’ll also be prepared to learn a dedicated programming language, such as Scratch, Python, JavaScript, Ruby, C#, or Go.

Key topics include:

• Common coding concepts
• How code runs
• Pseudocode
• Bugs
• Common data types
• Commenting
• Decomposition
• Lists

Price: $199.99

12. Pre-Programming: Everything You Need to Know Before You Code

This Pre-Programming course will help you understand the fundamentals of how computers work and how that relates to modern web technology.

You’ll also be able to evaluate, install, and modify any content management system after taking this course.

Key topics include:

• How does a computer work?
• Operating systems in the modern era
• How do browsers work?
• The anatomy of a mobile site

Price: $124.99

13. Learn How to Code Using C#: The Basics of Programming

Learn How to Code Using C# will teach you the basics of software development and how to code scratch (even if you’re a complete beginner).

You’ll learn how to build custom text-based applications and have the foundation necessary to study desktop, web, and mobile software development.

Key topics include:

• Programming overview
• Installing Visual Studio
• Returning and passing data
• Reference paramaters
• Object-oriented programming

Price: $199.99

14. SpeedCourse: Learn to Code in Under 1 Hour! [Python 3]

This SpeedCourse is structured as a user-friendly guide to Python 3, the most up-to-date version of Python available. No prior coding or programming experience is needed to learn from this course!

Key topics include:

• About Python
• Variables
• Getting user input
• Conditional operations
• The While Loop

Price: $15/month for a Skillshare subscription

15. Web 101: HTML for the New to Code

Web 101: HTML provides a step-by-step guide that will help you create your own one-page, fully coded website.

This class is ideal for anyone who is curious about coding and web design, but doesn’t have a background in computers.

Key topics include:

• Terminology
• The code
• File setup
• Code time

Price: $15/month for a Skillshare subscription

16. Learn How to Code

Learn How to Code by Code Academy provides students with a solid foundation in key programming concepts.

This course is ideal for beginners and anyone who wants to increase their digital literacy or boost their resume.

Key topics include:

• Variables
• Functions
• Control flow

Price: $13.99/month for a Code Academy subscription

17. Coding for Beginners: Learn Coding by Creating Art

Code for Beginners: Learn Code by Creating Art will show you how to create visuals, both animated and still, by writing code so you won’t be limited to design tools that other people have created for you.

Beginners will gain an understanding of important coding concepts, such as variables, functions, and conditionals.

Key topics include:

• Preparing your “drawing board”
• Starting to draw basic shapes
• Create moving laser beams
• Fun with lines

Price: $19.99

18. Coding for Writers: Basic Programming

Coding for Writers aims to make coding a less-intimidating endeavor for the more artistically- or word-inclined.

Beginners can learn how to write simple JavaScript programs and write documentation for functions, constants, and enumerations.

Key topics include:

• What is programming?
• Data types
• Documenting constants
• Operators
• Functions, conditionals, and loops

Price: $44.99

19. Game Development and Coding for Children

Game Development and Coding for Children makes it easy to teach your kids (or some young-at-heart adults) a new skill while having fun.

Students (of any age) will learn how basic coding concepts while also creating their own simple games, stories, and animations using Scratch.

Key topics include:

• Conditions
• Loops
• How to create interactive games

Price: $199.99

20. Learn Code by Creating Art: Developing CSS Skills in CodePen

Learn Code by Creating Art offers a fun and creative approach to enhancing your CSS knowledge.

Best for intermediate to advanced users, this course also features an exciting class project that will have you create and share images you can be proud of.

Key topics include:

• Pseudo elements
• Clip-path and border radius
• Adding depth with box-shadow
• Transforms and transitions
• Using SVG
• CSS animations

Price: $15/month for a Skillshare subscription

21. Radial Generative Art: How to Easily Code Intricate Circular Geometric Designs with Processing

With Radial Generative Art, you can learn how to create animated mandala animations using generative art in processing!

The class will teach students how to use two functions, sin() and cos() to create art that draws in circles. Complete beginners can enjoy this class and have fun while learning and creating.

Key topics include:

• What are sin() and cos()?
• Numbers with sin() and cos()
• Making a sin () wave
• Making a circle
• Breakable rules

Price: $15/month for a Skillshare subscription

22. Creative Coding: Animating SVG with Simple CSS Code

Coding doesn’t have to be boring! With Creative Coding, you’ll learn how to make fantastic designs right from your web browser.

Key topics include:

• Intro to SVG
• Intro to CSS
• SVG code
• Embedding SVG in HTML document
• CSS animations
• Codepen

Price: $15/month for a Skillshare subscription

23. Art & Code: Create and Code an Interactive Parallax Illustration

Art & Code will show you how to create an interactive parallax illustration using Procreate, along with HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript.

Key topics include:

• HTML, JavaScript, and CSS
• Touch and mouse Controls
• Motion controls
• Concept and thumbnails
• Drawing to the canvas

Price: $15/month for a Skillshare subscription

24. Creative Coding: Create CSS Collage

With Creative Coding: Create CSS Collage, you’ll learn step-by-step processes for using CSS properties such as mask-image or clip-path to create awesome effects for your web pages.

This course is suitable for learners of all levels, including complete beginners.

Key topics include:

• HTML & CSS
• Basic shapes
•  URL function
• Masking

Price: $15/month for a Skillshare subscription

25. Game Development with Phaser.JS

With this Game Development course, you’ll learn about the HTML5 game development framework that makes writing browser-based games a breeze.

The course was designed to be as beginner-friendly as possible, although some knowledge of JavaScript would be beneficial.

Key topics include:

• Phaser
• JavaScript
• How to make your own games
• Phaser and visual effects

Price: $13.99/month for a Code Academy subscription

26. HTML & CSS: Code Your Own Interactive Websites

Want to create a kickass website for your business? This HTML & CSS course can help.

Learn how to write code to create your own website, as well as how to format your content and display images.

Key topics include:

• CSS syntax
• Advanced positions (absolute, relative, fixed)
• Table and form elements
• Font properties
• How to create gradient color in CSS

Price: $179.99

27. Beginner Professional Java: Learn to Code for Work and Fun

Beginner Professional Java can help you train for a career in software or even teaching coding.

You’ll learn how to plan and write text console applications using core Java language for programming and make sense of other code libraries and their documentation.

Key topics include:

• Using BlueJ
• Concepts and vocabulary for source code
• Troubleshooting your typing
• Efficient debugging techniques

Price: $29.99

28. Practical PHP: Master the Basics and Code Dynamic Websites

Practical PHP is a beginner’s guide to coding dynamic websites with PHP. You’ll learn by doing and creating some real-world examples, like a restaurant website, which you’ll create at the end of the course.

Key topics include:

• What is PHP?
• Syntax
• Variables
• Defining constants
• Arrays
• Loops

Price: $15/month for a Skillshare subscription

29. Boost Personal Branding by Coding Your Own Website

Want to make a customized website that uniquely reflects you and your brand? Boost Personal Branding by Coding Your Own Website will help you do just that.

Learn how to style your own website in CSS and build your layout using Bootstrap, so you can build an eye-pleasing and attention-grabbing website of your own.

Key topics include:

• A website’s ingredients
• HTML basics
• CSS basics
• Typography in CSS
• Typography and colors
• Layout tweaks

Price: $15/month for a Skillshare subscription

Learn Coding Online

You no longer need to be admitted to a fancy tech university to become a skilled coder. In addition to these great online courses, you can also find YouTube channels that teach programming skills so you can learn at your own pace from home (and without breaking the bank!)

Try one of these coding courses so you can keep the upper hand when it comes to your business or job search.

Have you ever tried a coding course? How did it go? Share your thoughts in the comments below! 

 

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