Learning to code used to require a computer science degree, a mentor and an unhealthy relationship with coffee. Now it requires a browser, some patience and a high tolerance for missing semicolons.
These ten resources are free (or free at the level that matters), well regarded and aimed at different kinds of learners. Pick one, commit for a month, and you will know more than you did.
freeCodeCamp
A huge, nonprofit curriculum that takes you from basic web pages to full projects, with certifications at the end. The lessons are interactive, the community is large and everything is free.
It’s the closest thing to a one-stop shop for self-taught developers.
Harvard’s CS50
One of the most famous intro computer science courses in the world, available free online. David Malan is an engaging lecturer, and the problem sets are challenging in a good way.
It’s demanding, but it will teach you to think like a programmer.
Khan Academy Computing
Gentle, well-structured lessons on programming, algorithms and web design. The pacing is friendly, which makes it a great starting place for younger learners and nervous adults.
It’s the course that says: you can do this, and here’s a hint.
Scratch
A block-based language from MIT that lets kids snap together stories, games and animations. It teaches the logic of programming without the syntax headaches.
If a child can make a cat dance, they understand loops. That is not a joke.
The Odin Project
A free, open-source curriculum for web development that emphasizes building real projects. It points you to excellent resources and asks you to do the work.
It is tough love in the best sense.
MIT OpenCourseWare
Real MIT course materials, free to anyone. Lecture notes, assignments and videos let you study computer science at a very high level.
It’s not hand-holding, and that’s why it’s great.
Codecademy (Free Tier)
Interactive lessons that let you write code in the browser from the first minute. The free tier covers the basics in several languages.
It’s a good way to find out whether you enjoy coding before you invest anything.
W3Schools
A long-running reference for HTML, CSS and JavaScript with examples you can edit and run. It isn’t flashy, but it is useful.
It’s the site you’ll open in a tab for the next ten years.
MDN Web Docs
The definitive documentation for web technologies, written by Mozilla and a community of developers. It is accurate, thorough and constantly updated.
When you have a question about JavaScript, this is where professionals look.
Code.org
A nonprofit that offers free courses for students of all ages, including the popular Hour of Code activities. It makes the first step into programming feel playful and approachable.
It’s a favorite in classrooms for a reason.