13 of the Best Free Online Coding Courses

Codecademy offers a wide range of free courses with its basic membership. While free courses don’t include quizzes and projects, they’re still valuable resources for independent study. For example, the Java programming course gives members an introduction to a versatile language widely used in software development and web and mobile app creation.

With approximately 25 hours of content, beginners can acquire essential Java coding skills. The course covers core programming concepts, object-oriented programming, and Java project creation. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to use multiple operating systems and develop large systems, software, and Android mobile apps. It is perfect for those with no programming background who want to learn more without committing to a paid plan.

freeCodeCamp offers a comprehensive, self-paced learning experience for individuals eager to learn coding. With a well-structured curriculum, you’ll dive into web development and software engineering, all at your own pace. This community-driven code platform provides a wide range of coding skills, from HTML and CSS to JavaScript, Python, and more. You can earn free verified certifications while building projects in your browser or online code editor. The best part? Every aspect of freeCodeCamp, including advanced courses, projects, and certifications, is completely free. Thousands of freeCodeCamp learners have successfully transitioned into software developer roles, making this online learning platform an excellent choice for anyone aspiring to code.

Khan Academy offers an extensive, free online coding course that covers various aspects of computer programming and front-end web development. The course is designed to provide a comprehensive education in computer programming, web design, and data management. It spans multiple units, starting with an introduction to JavaScript for drawing and animation, progressing to HTML/CSS for web page creation, SQL for data querying, and advanced JavaScript for games, visualizations, and natural simulations. You can also delve into making webpages interactive with jQuery. The curriculum empowers learners to develop practical programming skills and explore the exciting world of coding and web development.

Code.org is a prominent education innovation nonprofit with a mission to ensure that computer science education is accessible to every K-12 student. Their free online coding course aims to introduce students to computer science, programming, and computational thinking. The course is designed to expand access to computer science education, with a strong focus on increasing participation among underrepresented groups, including young women.

Code.org offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers a wide range of programming topics, inspiring students to explore computer science. By promoting diversity and providing free educational resources, Code.org empowers students to develop fundamental coding skills and explore the world of computer science.

HarvardX’s “CS50’s Introduction to Computer Science” is a comprehensive, self-paced online coding course suitable for both majors and non-majors. Taught by Professor David J. Malan, the course focuses on developing algorithmic thinking and efficient problem-solving skills. Topics covered include abstraction, data structures, security, software engineering, and web development using languages like C, Python, SQL, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML. Real-world problem sets from domains such as biology, finance, cryptography, and more challenge students. Successful completion of problem sets and a final project earns a certificate. The course is designed for flexible, self-paced learning, making it accessible to all.

General Assembly’s Dash Course is an engaging and cost-free online course focused on introducing web development fundamentals through hands-on browser-based projects. The course is an excellent starting point for beginners, covering the essential building blocks of web development, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. With HTML, students learn to structure web content effectively. In the CSS section, they design fully styled landing pages with modern layouts and responsive design. The JavaScript component equips learners to create interactive interfaces, handle user events, and add animations, making their websites dynamic and engaging.

The Odin Project provides a comprehensive and free full-stack web development curriculum, supported by a passionate open-source community. It’s designed to be the ideal resource for self-learners in the web development realm. This program combines curated online education through coding video tutorials, blog posts, and web development courses to help you build a strong foundation of knowledge. You’ll create a variety of portfolio-worthy projects, from scripts to complete programs and deployed websites. What sets this course apart is its supportive community of both beginner and experienced developers who are eager to help you along your learning journey.

W3Schools offers the world’s largest web development resource, providing a wide range of tutorials, examples, and references for various web technologies. It’s a comprehensive platform for individuals looking to learn Ruby, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other related technologies. W3Schools focuses on easy and interactive learning, with a “Try it Yourself” editor that allows users to experiment with code directly in their web browser. The code school offers beginner-friendly tutorials, interactive examples, and hands-on exercises to help learners understand the fundamentals of web development. It’s a free resource trusted by millions for acquiring or refreshing web development knowledge.

MarkSheet offers a free HTML and CSS tutorial designed to cater to absolute beginners, designers willing to start coding, and developers eager to grasp CSS for web page styling. The course consists of four sections with a total of 50 lessons. It covers fundamental web development topics such as HTML syntax, semantics, and CSS properties. The course is self-paced and designed to guide learners through creating a personal webpage from scratch using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript, providing a step-by-step approach for building essential web development skills.

MIT OpenCourseWare provides a range of free introductory programming courses designed for students with varying skill levels and coding experience. These courses introduce fundamental computer science principles and programming skills, primarily using Python. Students can learn at their own pace and access comprehensive course materials, making it an ideal resource for aspiring programmers. The available courses include “Introduction to Computer Science and Programming in Python” (6.0001), “Introduction to Computational Thinking and Data Science” (6.0002), “Programming for the Puzzled” (6.S095), and more. MIT’s commitment to sharing knowledge enables learners worldwide to explore programming and computer science.

The University of Michigan’s Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python) course is a beginner-friendly program that introduces fundamental programming concepts with Python. It requires no previous coding experience and covers topics such as Python syntax, variables, functions, loops, and more. With 19 hours of flexible, self-paced learning, you’ll gain a foundational understanding of computer programming. The course provides shareable certificates upon completion and is taught in English with subtitles available in multiple languages.

CodeCombat offers a diverse set of free online coding courses designed for learners of all ages, from students to educators and parents. Through an innovative game-based learning approach, students can acquire coding skills in Python, JavaScript, C++, Java, and Lua. The platform has made computer science education accessible to over 20 million learners worldwide. It provides structured lessons and in-depth materials for educators, online coding classes with personalized instruction for parents, and resources for libraries. Additionally, it offers competitive coding through the Code Combat Artificial Intelligence League and the opportunity to explore 3D coding in Roblox’s Code Combat Worlds.