Last Updated on October 1, 2026
Quick answer: To teach yourself how to code, pick one beginner-friendly language such as Python, then work through a structured course like Harvard’s CS50x or interactive lessons on Codecademy. Practice a little every day, build small projects that interest you, and keep your work in one place so you can show colleges what you have made.
Why Teach Yourself How to Code?
Coding is one of the most exciting skills that you can learn. Increasingly, everything we use is connected to the internet. Smart watches, cells phones, even coffee makers are connected to the internet. Often, it’s those who want to know how these technologies work who try their hand at learning how to code. Computer science is also a popular college major, and many students start exploring it on their own long before college. If studying computer science at college isn’t an option, though, you may want to teach yourself how to code.
You may be curious about what happens when you type www.ingeniusprep.com in your browser, or how a webpage knows what to do when you click on a button. You may be wondering how it is that we’re able to send an email from New Haven to Shanghai in a matter of seconds. These are all questions that can be answered with the study of programming. People from Mark Zuckerberg to supermodel Karlie Kloss asked these questions, and today one of them has built Facebook and the other has started Kode With Klossy, a nonprofit that teaches coding to young women and gender-expansive youth. [1]
Learning how to code is as equipping as it is intimidating – popular culture dictates that if you haven’t been taking computers apart since you were 2 months old, you’re never going to be a good engineer. Others may express hesitation to learn how to code because “only those who study computer science are programmers”. Lucky for you, learning how to code is not the same as studying computer science. While knowing computer science concepts, data structures and algorithms is crucial to being a good programmer, there are many very talented software developers who didn’t study computer science in high school or college (and many talented computer scientists who are not very good at coding!).
When you teach yourself how to code, it’s like learning a new language. With coding for beginners, you learn the syntax of the language you choose (Java, Python, JavaScript, Ruby, etc.), and then you learn how to apply logic to this syntax. This knowledge gives you a superpower. You are learning how to tell a computer what to do! You’re continually stretching your brain when you take the time to solve a problem or fix a difficult bug.
If you’re a novice, there are countless coding for beginners resources available online where you can teach yourself how to code. The following 5 resources will help you get on your way to becoming a coding savant!
5 Resources to Teach Yourself How to Code
The resources below mix interactive platforms, books, and full online courses. Some can be used at no cost, while others offer paid options, so check each one’s current terms before you commit. Try two or three, then stick with the format that keeps you practicing.
1. Codecademy
Codecademy is one of the most introductory and approachable ways to teach yourself how to code. You can choose from several languages, including Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, SQL, Java and more. There is an option to learn one language on its own, or you can follow a broader curriculum to learn front-end, back-end or full-stack development.
You will be coding within Codecademy’s development environment (so you do not have to worry about working in the terminal), and it will help you determine whether your answers are correct, provide hints along the way, and quizzes your knowledge to make sure you’re learning the material.
2. Learn Python the Hard Way by Zed Shaw
Learn Python the Hard Way is an excellent book that takes you through Python’s syntax and functionality by typing. That’s right – Zed Shaw walks you through “Pythonic” logic and establishes the foundations of the language where you type what you see on the page.
Don’t be fooled – this is not a passive exercise. It’s important that you pay attention to the code you are typing into your text editor. While it might not all make sense from the very start, the point is that you practice typing code consistently and recognize common patterns.
3. Chris Pine’s Learn to Program
If you want to teach yourself how to code, Learn to Program is an excellent book for the beginning programmer. Chris Pine teaches the fundamentals of programming using the Ruby language. He focuses on the building blocks of writing simple code by working through logic problems.
The benefits of learning languages like Ruby or Python is that they read very much like English. The syntax is much easier to read and understand than Java, PHP or JavaScript, especially for a beginner. Once you can master one language, it becomes more intuitive to learn another (like learning Spanish, then adding on Portuguese).
4. Coursera and edX
Coursera and EdX are excellent online resources, most of all because you can take courses from some of the best institutions in the world at your own pace. Additionally, Coursera has the option for you to achieve a “verified certificate”, which asserts that you have completed the course in full. edX provides courses from Harvard and other top universities, including Harvard’s introductory computer science course, CS50.
- Java Programming and Software Engineering Fundamentals Specialization (Duke University) – A five-course beginner series on Coursera.
- The series is designed for learners with no prior programming experience. You can learn at your own pace and gain the foundational skills a software developer needs to solve real-world problems. [2]
- CS50x, Harvard’s Introduction to Computer Science – Available at no cost through Harvard and edX, this is an excellent primer for the fundamentals of computer science and the art of programming for those interested in majoring in computer science – or not. That is the beauty of the course! It starts with C and moves on to Python, SQL, and web basics, and about two-thirds of its students have never studied computer science before. [3]
5. Udemy
Udemy is another great resource that can help you teach yourself how to code. Its instructors range from professors to working programmers, so read reviews and watch previews before you enroll. You can choose from beginner to advanced courses in nearly every coding language.
- Java Tutorial for Complete Beginners – Like many beginning courses, this course has no requirements for previous knowledge of coding. Check the course page for its current format and length.
If you’re interested in STEM, looking to major in Computer Science, or simply curious about what makes something like this blog work, consider looking into one of these sites and teach yourself how to code!
How to Build a Coding Practice That Sticks
Resources only help if you use them consistently. When you teach yourself how to code, a simple routine beats an ambitious plan you abandon after a week.
- Pick one language and one course. Python is a common first choice because its syntax reads clearly. Finish one structured course before you jump to the next.
- Practice in short, regular sessions. Thirty focused minutes on most days will take you further than an occasional marathon weekend.
- Build small projects. A study timer, a quiz game, or a simple website for a club teaches you more than another tutorial, because you have to solve problems no lesson planned for.
- Go deeper with open course materials. MIT OpenCourseWare, for example, shares materials from more than 2,500 MIT courses that anyone can browse without creating an account. [4]
- Get comfortable being stuck. Debugging is part of learning. Read error messages carefully, search for them, and explain the problem out loud before you ask for help.
Show What You Have Built on Your College Applications
Self-taught coding can say a lot about you on a college application, because it shows curiosity and initiative that no class required. Keep your projects organized in one place, such as a public code repository or a simple personal website, and be ready to describe what each one does and what you learned building it.
From there, look for ways to use your skills with other people: start a coding club, build a tool for a school organization, or join a hackathon. Our list of computer science extracurriculars has more ideas. If you are weighing a major, our guide on whether computer science is the right major for you and our list of the best colleges for computer science can help you plan your next steps.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re building coding skills on your own, we can help you turn them into a standout academic profile. Our Former Admissions Officers guide students in showcasing self-taught STEM achievements on college applications.
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