Coding refers to creating computer programming code. In a more general sense, the word coding is used to refer to assigning a code or classification to something.
Today you can learn how to code online, entirely for free. Gone are the days where learning to code was reserved for the select few, or cost quite a hefty amount of money.
Even if you have no desire to go into the development field, learning a programming language can be very beneficial:
- It’ll help you better manage websites;
- It’ll reduce reliance on an outside developer for your own projects;
- It’ll give you the freedom to build apps, websites, and other projects with ease.
Whether you want to start your own career as a programmer, learn how to build websites, or create projects for fun, this post is for you. Below we dive into the best places online where you can learn to code for free.
1. Codeacademy
One of the most popular free places to learn coding is Codeacademy. In fact, more than 45 million people have already learned how to code through this educational company’s engaging experience. At CodeAcademy, you can dive right in and take courses that teach you everything from HTML & CSS, JavaScript and SQL to Bash/Shell, Python, Ruby and C++.
2. Code.org
Code.org is built with the goal of making programming a part of the regular education curriculum. Over a million people have used this site to further their programming knowledge and skills.
The education approach you take is up to you. You can dive into the one-hour tutorials, or take a more structured approach. There’s also a large catalog of courses that broken down by different age ranges from K-5, 6-12, and even University level.
3. Code Avengers
Code Avengers takes an interactive and fun approach to learning programming. There are a variety of courses that’ll teach you how to code websites, apps, and even games.
Each course on the site will take 12 hours to complete and is available in a multitude of different languages. Plus, there’s a community filled with programming experts to support you.
With Code Avengers you’ll learn languages and skills like:
- HTML and CSS
- Python
- Javascript
- jQuery
- Web Development
There is a 7-day free trial that’ll help you determine if it’s worth investing in the entire program.
4. BitDegree
BitDegree offers a ton of free courses that range from programming to game development.
They offer standard online courses and gamified courses. Gamified courses help to bring achievement and interaction into the learning process. All you have to do is choose your language and start learning.
There are a variety of programming languages covered, but the most popular ones are highlighted below:
- HTML
- CSS
- PHP
- Javascript
- SQL
- JQuery
BitDegree also does something unique by incorporating blockchain into the education process. There are transparent rewards and an achievement system that helps businesses recruit tech talent, and measure course success.
5. MIT Open Courseware
The OpenCourseWare Initiative brings all of MIT’s undergraduate and graduate courses online. Even without getting into MIT you can get an MIT-level education, provided you have the motivation to complete the work.
There are a lot of different subjects available, one of those being computer science. You can go through the degree program, or take individual courses.
For example, you’ll find a variety of introductory computer programming courses like Python, C and C++, and Java.
6. Free Code Camp
Free Code Camp is all about creating real-life relationships and building a community around programming education. It provides the chance to learn coding by participating in various challenges. You’ll get access to programming tutorials and courses to help you complete each challenge.
Once you have some skills you’ll be able to apply this to the real-world by building tradable projects and coding for non-profits. Some of the languages and skills covered include:
- HTML5
- CSS3
- Javascript
- Node.js
- React.js
- D3.js
- Databases
- Git and Github
Best of all, you won’t be coding alone either. There’s a community forum with others who are learning alongside you. And you have the option to meet other coders who happen to live in your city to exchange knowledge.
7. Code School
Code School is an online learning platform that offers both free and paid courses. It’s currently impacted over one million students across the globe.
The platform is organized into different learning paths and defined by languages and skills. Their approach to education is laid out as follows:
- You choose your education path that’s created by professional instructors and work through the material.
- You practice what you’ve learned directly in your browser window, and get immediate feedback.
- You rack up points as you complete each course level.
- You monitor your progress and keep track of all your achievements, badges earned, and material consumed.
Some of the learning tracks offered include:
- HTML and CSS
- Javascript
- Ruby
- Elixir
- PHP
- Python
- iOS
- Databases
8. Hack.pledge
Hack.pledge is a community made up of seasoned developers, who can share their knowledge and mentor the next generation of programmers. Here, you can perfect your development skills by learning from some of the top developers in the field.
To get started you’ll sign the pledge, committing yourself to master craftsmanship in software development. Inside you’ll have access to a wealth of information that’ll help you step up your coding skills.
Aside from learning, you’ll have the ability to connect with a mentor who’s currently at the top of their field.
9. aGuipeWare
aGupieWare is a free online curriculum based on courses offered by MIT, Carnegie Mellon, Berkeley, Stanford, and Columbia. In this program, you’ll find 15 different courses which are further broken down into 3 introductory classes, 7 core classes, and 5 electives.
This course is a great place to build a solid programming foundation. You’ll learn skills like:
- Computer science
- Swift programming
- Python
- Security testing
- Linux
- Hacking
10. Coursera
Coursera provides coding-based courses, tutorials, and resources taught by professors at leading universities. You’ll find hundreds of different coding-related courses to choose from.
To develop these courses they partnered with some of the best teachers at top-tier universities. Which means you’re learning how to code from some of the best resources out there. Every course on the site is completely free, but, if you want to receive a certification, then you’ll have to pay for that.
You’ll find a variety of courses available like:
- Python
- Java
- HTML and CSS
- IoT programming
- C
- Introduction to programming
11. Upskill
Upskill is a free online boot camp that’ll take you from beginner to advanced developer. The main focus of the course is teaching you web development, and it’s a great place to start, even if you have no experience.
You’ll learn coding skills such as:
- WordPress plugin development
- WordPress best practices
- Javascript
- HTML5 and CSS3
- PHP
- MySql
- Node.js
- Ruby on Rails
The curriculum is 100% project-based, which means that you’ll be building a real-world portfolio as you progress through the course.
12. Codewars
Codewars teaches you your desired programming language via a series of challenges. These code challenges draw from martial arts as each challenge is referred to as a kata.
The goal of each challenge is to help you sharpen your existing skills with a certain programming language or to learn a new one from scratch.
As you progress through each kata, the challenges will get tougher and tougher. Once a challenge is complete you’ll be able to see how your solution stacks up to others. This will show you different techniques for solving certain development problems.
Some of the languages you can learn with Codewars include:
- Java
- Javascript
- C#
- Ruby
- Python
- SQL
13. Dash General Assembly
Dash is a free online course that’ll teach you the basics of web development, all within your web browser.
You’ll learn the basics of HTML5, CSS3, and Javascript, and how these languages work together to create a beautiful, modern website. In addition, you will have to build a series of small projects that all integrate together at the end to show you how to create a website of your own.
With Dash, you’ll come away with an understanding of the bigger picture of website development. It’s a great place for beginners with no previous development experience.
14. Code Conquest
Code Conquest is a great platform that’ll help you learn the basics of coding. Even if you’ve never written a line of code in your life, or don’t even know what coding is, this platform will help you get started from square one.
It’s designed to walk you through the process of:
- Learning what coding is.
- Choosing which languages to learn.
- Knowing how to improve your knowledge and skills.
- Applying these skills to real-life problems.
On the site, you’ll find a variety of tutorials that’ll help you learn programming languages like:
- HTML and CSS
- Javascript
- PHP
- Ruby
- jQuery
- Python
- MySQL
15. The Odin Project
The Odin Project takes all the guesswork out of learning web development. When you’re trying to learn to program on your own it can be difficult to put all the skills you’re learning together.
You know the pieces to the puzzle, but you can’t quite figure out where they go. This platform has created a logical process from the best educational sources available on the web. Furthermore, you will learn to build projects along the way and have an active community to help you through the process.
You’ll learn programming languages and skills like:
- HTML and CSS
- Git
- Javascript
- Ruby and Ruby on Rails
- Databases
- How to get hired with your newfound skills
16. Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a massive online learning platform. It’s a great place to start developing a wealth of coding related knowledge and skills. You’ll find courses and tutorials that range from computer programming basics, all the way up to advanced applications.
All courses are taught by experts. However, students are encouraged to share what they’ve learned throughout the process. With Khan Academy, you’ll be able to learn and pick up programming languages like:
- HTML
- CSS
- Javascript
- Databases
There are also foundational courses that teach you the philosophy and skills behind computer programming as a whole.
17. edX
edX is a massive open source higher education learning platform. It currently has a network of over 5 million students.
The site is broken down into many different categories, that extend far beyond programming. Since you’re here to learn to code you’ll find the most value in the ‘Computer Science’ category.
Here you’ll find tutorials that teach you languages and skills like:
- HTML and CSS
- Java
- jQuery
- C++
- C#
- Python
- SQL
- Mobile app development
There are also paid courses available. But there are enough free educational materials to teach you the basics of coding.
18. Web Fundamentals by Google
Web Fundamentals (previously HTML5 Rocks) is created by Google. Its goal is to provide useful and up to date tutorials about the web’s latest and best practices.
You’ll find a variety of tutorials that’ll help you learn the cutting edge practices for programming on the modern web.
Since the site is oriented towards intermediate and advanced developers, you’ll want to have a grasp of the basics before you get started.
But, if you’re looking for a great resource to help expand your knowledge of web development today, then this is a great resource.
19. Codeasy.net
Codeasy.net offers a very unique and fun way to learn how to code. You’ll be immersed in an adventure story that requires real-life programming skills to navigate your way through.
Throughout the story, you’ll be taught the basics of C#, all the way up to more advanced topics and functions. It’s designed with complete beginners in mind, so you don’t need any knowledge of software development to get started.
The best part about this educational experience is that it doesn’t feel like you’re learning. Your goal is to save the world from a machine invasion, and you’ll use your newly acquired coding skills to do it.
20. Udemy
Udemy is an online education portal that offers thousands of courses. There are a lot of paid courses on the platform, but you’ll also find plenty of free ones as well. Plus, there are always coupons and specials where you can find discount and even free versions of paid courses.
You’ll find plenty of development courses, where you can learn things like:
- Web development
- Game development
- Mobile application development
- eCommerce site creation
- All the programming languages you could ever want
Conclusion
Learning to code used to mean hours and hours of expensive education. But, with all of the free coding resources available today you can learn to program in record time, with zero money up front.
Of course, there is a multitude of paid programs and courses available as well. But the free resources above are more than enough to get you started and develop the foundational knowledge to succeed as a programmer.
You don’t have to go through every single course or program on the list above, but instead, pick a handful that seem the most exciting and dive in.
Have any questions, tips, or trick about code learning? Share them with us in the comments below!