The 65 Best Online Resources to Learn How to Code (2022)

If you look back at tech movies of the past, some of them were really ahead of their time. Think back to 1995’s The Net, a film about computer analyst Angela Bennett (played by a young Sandra Bullock) who happens upon a government conspiracy — and dangerous hackers — while debugging a computer program. Not only did the film hit the nail on the head with how prevalent the internet is in our lives, but it also highlighted the power and pervasiveness of programming.

Call it prophetic, but “hacking” skills — the good kind — are the common currency of the future. With an increasing interest in computer programming and the growth of tech-sector jobs, the time is now to learn a thing or two about 0s and 1s. It’s time to learn to code (no, not morse code).

Maybe it was tech-of-the-future movies that got you interested in coding as a kid, a coding website you stumbled across, or perhaps you’re developing a passion for learning mid-career. Whatever the reason, it’s time to go back to school — and with the right resources, you can learn a host of new language skills (no verb conjugating required).

So what is coding? (If you’ve got some time, start here). Simply put, code is the set of instructions given to computers to perform specific functions. With lines of code, programmers develop the software that powers the devices you encounter every day — from your smartphone to your microwave. Yep, it does a lot.

Programming is not just a way to build things; coding helps solve problems, aids people in need, and, as Steve Jobs admonished, it teaches you how to think. It’s a skill lauded by presidents, mayors, billionaires, even high fashion supermodels. There’s even a designated Computer Science Education Week. Mark your calendars!

The good news is you don’t have to live in Silicon Valley or have expensive, high-tech gadgets to learn how to code. Self-taught programming has been on the rise, and you can join the masses that are taking to the web to learn the next universal language.

With the click of a mouse, you can develop a whole new repertoire of programming skills. And we’ve got all the resources to help you learn to code and build your next website or app.

But First, Meet a Self-Taught Programmer

Before I inundate you with stellar programming resources, allow me to introduce you to a real-life, self-taught coding graduate. Meet Ryan Hanna.

Why him? Well, in 2015, more than half of mobile phone users had downloaded a health-related mobile app. And know who created one of the most successful ones? That’s right.

Hanna began teaching himself to code in January of 2012 using Codeacademy, out of a desire to start creating his own projects.

“I was tired of just consuming things that other people were building and wanted to try building something of my own,” he says.

Utilizing lessons from Codeacademy, PhoneGap, and tutorials he found on blogs, he picked up programming skills and began working on his own creation — a new workout app called Sworkit.

“I transitioned from an IT specialist to a full-time junior developer in the same company I worked for after one year of learning and had started building my own project in my free time,” Hanna says. “This project ended up replacing most of my resume and helped me get my first non-junior developer role where I worked for two years.

“Along the way, I had met Benjamin Young of Nexercise at a conference, and we ended up deciding to work together on Sworkit full time. His and Greg Coleman’s company Nexercise bought Sworkit and hired me to continue working on it. We’ve since grown to an amazing team of seven and have one of the top workout apps on the market.”

The growth of Sworkit proved to Hanna — and it should prove to you — that building something amazing is only a few steps away.

“You can build anything you want,” Hanna says. “Starting with any idea or any design, you can just start building it without any limitations. That feels amazing to go from nothing to something.”

And learning to code doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with baby steps, Hanna says.

“Learn a broad spectrum of languages and topics at the start, but then pick something small to work on with what you have learned,” he says. “It will help you start something from scratch and get that feeling of adding one little piece at a time. You start to focus on figuring out how to complete each step in sequence and then you have something to show for it at the end as well.”

A computer science degree isn’t required to get started with a shiny new set of coding skills. Many others have learned, and so can you.

Here is a hefty list of 65 free or low-cost ways (and more) to get started. (Want to jump to a specific section? Just use the links below.)

1. Games
2. Books
3. Mentors/Meetups
4. Videos
5. E-courses
6. Podcasts
7. For Kids

Self-Guided Tour: Our Complete List of 65 Coding Resources

1. Games

We know gaming isn’t time-wasting — rather, it’s an engaging way to learn and practice new concepts as you learn to code. Use these online activities to sharpen your skills.

CodeSignal

Explore programming in your preferred coding language and on your own time. Whether you’ve got five minutes or five hours, CodeSignal (formerly CodeFights) allows you to practice for job interviews, play arcade-style coding games, and compete in screen-to-screen challenges.

Cost: Free

CodeAbbey

A collection of beginner-to-advanced practice problems that allow you to earn certificates and hone your skills. Consider it a type of fun homework.

Cost: Free

Coderbyte

Choose a coding language and solve challenges; accompanying solutions and tutorials help you cement crucial programming skills with step-by-step instructions.

Cost: Free

Reddit: Daily Programmer

Utilize Reddit’s user-based forums to try challenges in a range of different levels and applications — everything from Scrabble-like tests to mazes.

Cost: Free

CodinGame 

Play virtual coding games (think: destroying enemy ships with code) that can teach you essential skills and can get you noticed by companies.

Cost: Free

HireVue 

With HireVue (formerly CodeEval), see how you stack up against other coders with a large library of dynamic coding challenges while building a profile and attracting the attention of programmer-seeking companies.

Cost: Free

HackerEarth

Coding activities with purpose. Help solve real-world problems for businesses with innovative programming solutions while joining a community of coders working on improving their skills.

Cost: Free

HackerRank 

Unearth your inner coding competitor and solve challenges while interacting on a leading recruitment site for companies (meaning, it’s a resume builder!)

Cost: Free

Sphere Online Judge

Become the Obi-Wan of programming by testing out problems and offering your own solutions, while participating in a unique coding community.

Cost: Free

Microsoft Imagine

Enhance your development skills by taking Microsoft’s fun and creative coding projects for a spin.

Cost: Free

Codewars

A great resource to train yourself, collaborate with others, and create in a variety of programming languages.

Cost: Free

Exercism

Practice problems (consider them mini-quests) for newbies and experts, tailored to your interests, whether you want to learn to code, increase fluency in your chosen language, or develop clean code. Just submit your solutions and get helpful feedback. Works through GitHub.

Cost: Free

2. Books

No dull, dusty textbooks here — these programming tomes can provide you useful reading material.

The Self-Taught Programmer

The perfect manual for self-studiers, written by one of coding’s own amateur-turned-professional graduate.

Cost: $9.99 Kindle Book

Github Free E-Books

A countless collection of e-books on every possible programming topic, like how to learn Python or PHP.

Cost: Many free — prices vary

Reddit Free Programming Books

Another exhaustive collection of online learning resources to help you increase your coding knowledge.

Cost: Many free — prices vary

3. Mentors/Meetups

Want to meet with like-minded individuals? Find a mentor or coding event in your area.

Reddit Programming Buddies

Virtual classified ads for programmers; identify programming comrades that match your unique skills and interests and collaborate on personalized projects.

Cost: Free

Pair With Me

Utilize the site’s Pair With Me button to encourage collaboration from your own website or contact form. Also, check out the provided collection of resources and guides for programmer pairing.

Cost: Free

CodeNewbies Twitter

This social media handle hosts a live, weekly chat every Wednesday where users can ask questions and converse with other programmers — beginners and experts alike.

Cost: Free

Meetup

A general connection platform that allows you to tailor specific meetup requests in your area. A good place to start? Tech Meetups.

Cost: Prices vary

Hackathons

Not unlike a hip, adult slumber party; these all-night coding parties allow you to gather with like-minded learners and develop new skills as you tackle team programming projects.

Cost: Prices vary

Local Computer Science Classes

For those looking to feel like a student again. Another Code.org resource that allows you to find computer science courses and coding classes local to your area.

Cost: Prices vary

Girl Develop It

A female-focused nonprofit that provides resources for computer science-interested women. Find your local chapter and attend programming events.

Cost: Prices vary

CodeBuddies

A large community of programmers who connect via Slack and organized study (screen-sharing) hangouts. Make your hangouts as unique as your project.

Cost: Free

4. Videos

Hunker down: it’s movie night. Time to break out the popcorn and watch as YouTubers — and others — share their knowledge. (Bonus: No Redbox fees).

DevTips

A Google employee’s collection of video lessons that address topics of web design and development.

CSS-Tricks

The YouTube channel of a matching site that addresses much more than just CSS.

Derek Banas

Your wish is Derek Banas command; the YouTuber makes video tutorials based on the requests and questions from viewers, so ask away! His tailored videos also include multi-weekly live streams. Along with an extensive collection of programming tutorials, he’s also got in-depth guides on how to create video games. Score!

Coder’s Guide

Helpful step-by-step web development tutorials covering everything from responsive web design to splash screens.

The New Boston

Covering all things computers, The New Boston offers detailed videos for every step of your programming journey — even for beginners.

Programming Knowledge

A great starting point for beginners; these easy-to-digest video help learners manage the ins-and-outs of different programming languages.

Ted Talks

A playlist of seven top-tier talks from Ted Talks’ best speakers, covering topics like teaching kids to code and improving government through programming.

Command Line Power User

A handy video series for web developers learning how to interact with computer programs.

My Code School

This educational channel has more than 330,000 subscribers for a reason: the folks behind it know their stuff. With tons of videos on a host of programming languages and live content, you can get a crash course on any programming subject you want to learn about.

5. E-courses

Choose from a handful of virtual coding courses or coding boot camps to learn new skills — at free or budget-friendly costs.

GitHub

A coder-must platform that helps programmers collaborate with each other as they save code online, view changes, and discuss issues.

Cost: Paid (from $7 a month) and free plans available

Bitbucket

Another resource that makes coding a team effort; works in conjunction with Git to help programmers work jointly on projects.

Cost: Paid (from $15 per month) and free plans available

Open Culture

A full list of all kinds of online computer courses from distinguished universities — available in various formats for easy accessibility.

Cost: Free

Code Avengers

Whether you want to learn how to build websites, apps, or games, this resource has helpful lessons, quizzes, and project-based learning tools for creating and real-life problem solving, tailored to your own individual programming path. They even provide an educational environment for junior coders.

Cost: $29 per month; $150 for six months

Code.org

Moana, Star Wars, and Minecraft — all subjects incorporated into one-hour tutorials provided by nonprofit Code.org. These easy-to-digest courses are accessible for learners of all levels and ages, and provide useful hands-on experience for future programming gurus

Cost: Free

Reddit

Not just a programmer’s favorite; this Reddit page has a collective list of interactive coding tutorials gathered from around the web on various topics, from mobile iOs or Android development to info on different programming languages. (Plus, you can even watch people code!)

Cost: Free

GitHub Curated Programming Resources

Another exhaustive list of coding resources, plus, a helpful introduction that guides beginners on where to start.

Cost: Free

Codecademy

Ryan Hanna’s alma mater is helping educate the world in programming; choose from a catalog of courses that meet your learning needs and get coding.

Cost: Free

David Walsh

Web developer Walsh shares a host of programming tutorials in addition to sharing demos and info about coding conferences.

Cost: Free

Open Culture

A collection of computer science courses and resources available right from your screen and in multiple formats.

Cost: Free

Treehouse

A course-focused site that offers resources for learning, practicing, and earning badges that boost your skills. On this learning platform, students can study anything from app-building to website creation.

Cost: Free 7-day trial, $25 (Basic Plan) or $49 (Pro Plan) a month after

Coursera

Take courses straight from actual universities in a variety of specializations. This site partners with top schools to offer education in programming, data science, business, and more.

Cost: Prices vary

EdX

Students choose from an extensive collection of self-paced computer science courses fueled by university curriculum — it was founded by Harvard and MIT in 2012.

Cost: Free, professional certificates at a cost

Free Code Camp

Complete challenges and building projects that can help you build skills, even acquire developer jobs. Plus, Free Code Camp tasks have practical applications, like aiding nonprofits with open source projects.

Cost: Per its name, free

General Assembly Dash

Learn coding basics from your browser — the step-by-step guided fundamentals can aid you in building your next super-site.

Cost: Free

Udacity

Earn a nanodegree — an online certification with provided course materials and instructor guidance — in one of seventeen available tech tracks. Learn in-demand job skills at your own pace.

Cost: Prices vary (but plan for a cost of at least a few hundred every month).

Solo Learn

Learn to code on the go with online courses or a travel-friendly coding app. Topics feature tons of courses and quizzes, plus social learning components; there’s even a “Code Playground” for experimental development.

Cost: Free

Udemy

Choose from more than 45,000 courses tailored to your own personal programming syllabus rated and reviewed by peers.

Cost: Prices vary

LinkedIn Learning

Formerly lynda.com, LinkedIn Learning is an educational platform filled with engaging courses taught by industry gurus.

Cost: Free 30-day trial, $29.99 per month

MarkSheet

An HTML and CSS tutorial that starts at the web’s bare bones and gets gradually more detailed as the course progresses — an easy-to-understand intro for beginners.

Cost: Free

Reddit: Learn Programming

A smart guide with an abundance of helpful resources for every step of your self-taught programming journey.

Cost: Free

Haven’t found your perfect fit? Try this: a few more places to code for free.

Related: Step-by-Step Guide: How to Start a Podcast With WordPress

6. Podcasts

Load up your device with audio coding lessons and listen on your commute or during your workout.

Coding Blocks

Shoptalk about development best practices relevant to a number of different programming languages.

Cost: Free

DevRadio

Though its last episode came out a few years ago, you can listen to Microsoft’s DevRadio, a by-developers, for-developers podcast with lots of software and programming info. 

Cost: Free

Software Engineering Daily

Featured interviews with experts that touch on tech topics like mobile app development and developer testing.

Cost: Free

Developer Tea

A snackable-size podcast designed for busy schedules. Listen to quick bites on all kinds of developer-designed details.

Cost: Free

Programming Throwdown

A perfect podcast if you want a little taste of everything; each show covers a different programming language so you can expand your coding knowledge with each episode.

Cost: Free

CodeNewbie

This weekly podcast features stories and useful lessons from other individuals who are on their self-taught programming path.

Cost: Free

Learn to Code With Me

Laurence Bradford’s weekly podcast helps self-taught coders transition to the tech field with useful real-world examples and tips on developing marketable skills and enhancing your resume.

Cost: Free

Need more earworms? Try additional podcasts here, including language- and task-specific channels.

Related: Step-by-Step Guide: How to Start a Podcast With WordPress

7. For Kids

Turns out, it’s never too soon to start introducing your tots to their first bytes.

C++ for Kids (Code Babies)

This board book will introduce your infants to C++ programming fundamentals. Also check out HTML for Babies and Javascript for Babies, all in conjunction with site Code Babies.

Cost: Amazon (new) – $19.89

Treehouse: When Should Kids Learn to Code?

Tips for helping kids to get a start in programming.

Cost: Free

Code.org Student

A youthful resource for finding online programming courses or local classes. Includes games and activities.

Cost: Free

MoonHack

A record-setting event for Code Club where kids ages 7 to 18 around the world join together to tackle projects — MoonHack’s or your own (moon-themed, of course). According to its website, over the last six years, more than 150,000 kids have coded as part of Moonhack.

Cost: Free

Code Your Own Games!: 20 Games to Create with Scratch

Entice youth early to get involved in coding with this easy-to-follow (and super fun) visual guide that helps them learn to program their own games. Gaming + learning = win-win.

Cost: Amazon, $11.60

Got Questions?

Our collection of resources provides a comprehensive list of places to initiate your self-taught programming journey, from absolute beginner fundamentals to jump-starting your coding career. But along the way, you might hit a few roadblocks. Well, we’re here for you.

Maybe you don’t know what programming language to start learning. Easy. Try an interactive quiz or infographic that guides your journey based on your individual goals and interests (like, creating a game, or developing an iOS or Android app).

Struggling with framework questions, or need to fix a bug or in your code? Try utilizing Stack Overflow, a coder’s knowledge-sharing community. Want to automate tedious tasks while using Microsoft devices? Do it with Windows PowerShell. Trying to learn how to master an object-oriented programming language? Visualize with the Understand tool.

Or perhaps you’re looking for useful apps or a development environment to practice in? We’ve got you covered. Try some note-taking apps that help while you code and useful coding playgrounds like Code Pen, JSFiddle, or Limnor Studio (visual programming) to get your feet wet.

Any more questions? Let us know.

Take Notes

Ready for your homework? Time to get coding.

Pick a course, a video tutorial, a podcast, or a coding game. Start there and start small. With our complete guide to coding resources, you have everything you need to start building your own projects and becoming fluent in your new language.

Fill Us In

Are you a self-taught programmer? How did you learn to code? What advice would you give to other wannabe coders? Share your story — and your advice — with us on social @dreamhost!