Hi friend! So let me tell you something kind of funny — I wanted to learn to code, but I also wanted to eat. That meant no fancy paid courses, no tech bootcamps, and definitely no buying five books I’d never read.
So what did I do?
I searched for free ways to learn how to code. I tried every website, app, and video I could find. And guess what? I actually learned. Like, real stuff. Enough to make little websites, fix small bugs, and finally understand what all the “if-else” stuff meant.
Here are the 10 free resources that helped me start my coding journey — with zero money and lots of snacks.
1. free CodeCamp — My Coding Home Base
This site is where I started. It gave me small tasks that felt like a game. You learn by doing — writing real code, step by step. And you even earn certificates when you finish!
I used it to learn:
- HTML
- CSS
- JavaScript
And I didn’t spend a single rupee. 10/10 would recommend.
2. W3Schools — My Coding Dictionary
When I didn’t understand something, I ran here.
It has short explanations, simple examples, and a “Try it Yourself” button that lets you test things right there.
It helped me with:
- Fixing my broken code
- Learning new tags
- Copy-pasting when I was tired (shhh )
3. Sololearn — Code While Waiting in Line
This is an app. I downloaded it on my phone and started learning while waiting for food or sitting on the bus. It’s like a mini quiz game for learning Python, HTML, and more.
They even give you cool badges that make you feel smart. (Even if you just answered two questions.)
4. The Odin Project — The Big Boy Course
When I wanted to get serious, I came here.
This site feels like a full school course, but free. It walks you through everything — from building your first web page to making full websites.
It’s a little more advanced, but very helpful if you want to go deep.
5. CS50 by Harvard — Yes, That Harvard
I know, I know. Sounds scary. But it’s not.
You can find it on YouTube or on edX.org. The teacher is cool, the lessons are smart, and it’s all free.
I didn’t finish the whole course yet (because I got distracted by cookies), but even a few lessons made me feel like a genius.
6. Khan Academy — Not Just for Math Anymore
I used to think Khan Academy was only for math and crying over algebra. But then I found their programming lessons.
They teach coding with small videos and let you draw stuff with code. It’s perfect for beginners — and kind of fun.
7. MDN Web Docs — For When I Got Confused
Sometimes I’d be like,
“What does this weird code mean?!”
So I’d Google it, and this site would pop up. It’s written by Mozilla (the people behind Firefox), and it explains things very clearly. Not too fancy. Just helpful.
8. Code.org — Like a Video Game, But Smarter
This site is made for beginners — even kids. You can drag blocks, move characters, and make small games. But while you’re doing all that, you’re actually learning real coding logic.
I had fun without even realizing I was learning.
9. YouTube — Free Teachers With Pause Buttons
Sometimes I just needed someone to explain stuff.
So I went to YouTube. My favorite channels were:
- Traversy Media — helped me build websites
- Programming with Mosh — clear, clean lessons
- Code With Harry (for Hindi speakers)
And the best part? I could pause them. Try doing that in real class!
10. ChatGPT — My Study Buddy That Never Sleeps
Okay, this one’s funny. I started asking ChatGPT questions like:
“What is a function in Python?”
“Why is my code not working?”
And it actually helped. It didn’t laugh at my silly questions. It didn’t get tired. It just explained things in simple words.
Kind of like a smart, calm tutor who never eats your lunch.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need Money to Learn
I always thought learning to code meant buying expensive stuff. Turns out, you just need curiosity and a little Wi-Fi.
These 10 free resources helped me understand code — slowly, sometimes awkwardly, but in the best way.
If I can do it with zero money, no coding background, and a short attention span… you can too.
So go ahead. Open a tab. Pick one site. Try something today.
You might not feel like a coder at first.
But you’ll be one soon — one line at a time.
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