Learn JavaScript on Scrimba (free)
Quick answer: Free · ~9.4 hrs · beginner. 140+ challenges, four shipped mini-apps (counter, Blackjack, Chrome extension, mobile-style capstone)—you type in the screencast, not only in a separate editor you avoid opening.
Last reviewed: March 2026.
Disclosure: ScrimbaGuide may earn a commission when you enroll or subscribe through links on this page. We still describe course limits honestly.
Learn JavaScript
Free140+ interactive challenges: counter app, Blackjack, Chrome extension, mobile-style app—code inside each lesson.
View on Scrimba (opens in a new tab)Is this for you?
Problem: You “get” JavaScript until the file is empty—then every error feels random.
Solve: Scrims keep you in a type–run–fix loop inside the lesson (Scrimba’s interactive screencasts), which beats passive video for syntax and DOM basics. Plan to add your own projects after; this is the structured spine.
This beginner course is 9.4 hrs across 143 interactive screencasts. It is available for free — no subscription required.
- Duration: 9.4 hrs
- Level: Beginner
- Access: Free (no subscription required)
- Modules: 8
- Total Lessons: 143
Instructor
This course is taught by Per Borgen, an experienced educator on the Scrimba platform.
What Makes This Course Distinctive
You do not watch long theory blocks and hope it sticks. Each module is a small product with tight loops: the instructor writes a line, you change it, you break it, you fix it. The passenger counter and Blackjack sections force you to think in variables, conditionals, and DOM updates without abstract jargon first. By the time you touch the Chrome extension, you are already used to reading someone else's structure and extending it, which is closer to real work than isolated kata.
The practice segments between builds matter more than they look on the syllabus. They are where muscle memory for syntax and debugging actually forms. The local dev environment module is short but practical: you leave the playground knowing how your files map to what runs in the browser. The mobile app capstone is not a full native stack, but it is enough to see how the same JS ideas show up outside classic web pages.
Who gets the most from it? Career changers and complete beginners who learn by doing, and anyone who tried scattered YouTube clips and wants one guided path with checkpoints. It is free, so the risk is time, not money. The tradeoff is pace: if you already write functions and fetch data comfortably, you will want a faster intermediate course instead.
Module Breakdown
| Module | Duration | Lessons |
|---|---|---|
| Build a Passenger Counter App | 82 min | 20 |
| Practice Time - Part 1 | 26 min | 7 |
| Setting up a Local Dev Environment | 12 min | 0 |
| Build a Blackjack Game | 2.7 hrs | 45 |
| Practice Time - Part 2 | 27 min | 8 |
| Build a Chrome Extension | 2.7 hrs | 43 |
| Practice Time - Part 3 | 26 min | 8 |
| Build a Mobile App | 59 min | 12 |
What You'll Build
- a Passenger Counter App
- a Blackjack Game
- a Chrome Extension
- a Mobile App
These hands-on projects reinforce what you learn and give you portfolio-ready work to show employers.
Prerequisites
No prior programming experience is required. A web browser and willingness to learn are all you need.
Who Is This Course For?
Best for: complete beginners and career changers with no prior coding experience who want to learn by building real projects from day one.
Not ideal if: you already build small apps with JavaScript and want advanced patterns, async depth, or interview drills. Take Advanced JavaScript or path-specific follow-ups instead.
Part of These Learning Paths
Choose This If
- You want your first end-to-end JavaScript wins: working UI, logic, and multiple small shipped projects in one track.
- You tried YouTube or docs but bounced between topics without a sequence. This course gives a single structured path with built-in practice between builds.
- You need solid vanilla fundamentals before React or backend work so you are not guessing what
returnor the DOM actually do.
Related Courses
Practice & Learn More
- Practice JavaScript Arrays
- Practice API Calls
- Frontend Developer Path
- How Long Does It Take to Learn Coding?
- Scrimba vs Codecademy | All Comparisons
Related Pages
Yes! This course is completely free. No credit card or Scrimba Pro subscription is needed to start learning.
The course contains 9.4 hrs of interactive screencasts. Since you can pause and code along at your own pace, most learners finish in 1-2 weeks of regular practice.
You will build real projects including: a Passenger Counter App, a Blackjack Game, a Chrome Extension. These projects teach you practical skills you can apply immediately.
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