Looking for the best HTML books to get you up to speed or hone your skills?
This list was first published in 2011, and has been updated yearly since.
HTML is easy to learn, understand, and master. Partnered with CSS, it is the building block of all web design and development today. If you are just starting out learning web languages, a HTML crash course is where you want to start. It’s best to first develop both your traditional HTML and CSS skills, then move on to building a working knowledge of what’s new with HTML5 and CSS3.
HTML and CSS: Design and Build Websites
This book is one that delivers HTML and CSS in a way that makes it accessible to everyone – hobbyists, students, bloggers and professionals. It is primarily aimed at those new to the subject. If you’re looking for a great book to introduce web design and development to someone, then this one is a definite winner. Extremely visual in nature and beautifully designed, this book presents concepts and codes with full-colour diagrams, figures and screenshots. The information is well organised and explained in a very easy to follow manner. It covers relevant topics that go beyond HTML, including deploying your file and incorporating Google Analytics into your site. The #1 book on this list for good reason. Read more..
Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML
The Head First series is renowned for presenting information to beginners in a clear, fun and informative manner. The book is a breeze to follow and introduces its audience to HTML through examples, case studies and flowing text. It manages to take the conceptually easy but sometimes difficult to grasp topics of HTML, XHTML and CSS and break them down into a way that anyone can follow. If you’re concerned about your ability to gain a solid understanding of HTML and CSS or feel other ‘technical’ books in this list are too much, then grab this HTML book and you won’t look back. Read more..
HTML, XHTML, and CSS, Sixth Edition
Another well written and easy to understand HTML book, aimed at entry-level web designers and full of great examples. It is an easy read that successfully introduces its audience to HTML & CSS, and small enough that you can pretty much read the whole thing in a day. Cleanly designed and well laid out, this one will have you up and running in no time. Read more..
HTML, XHTML, and CSS: Your visual blueprint for designing effective Web pages
This is a unique guidebook that takes a visual approach to teaching professional technical topics. Full of screenshots detailing key HTML & CSS techniques, this book is logical, comprehensive and well thought out. This HTML book is a great primer and its depth is second to none, aimed at both beginners and more advanced designers alike. It covers topics such as search engines, CSS hacks, and common pitfalls as well as providing a wealth of HTML knowledge. Direct and to the point, without the expected dryness, it is highly rated and popular among web enthusiasts. Read more..
Sams Teach Yourself HTML and CSS in 24 Hours
Sure, you could cram an entire book and learn HTML and CSS in 24 hours if you really wanted to. If you look past the title (as I generally do with these types of books) you’ll find a clear, well-written book of lessons. Each one builds upon the previous, allowing beginners to learn the essentials from the ground up. Aimed at those truly new to HTML and CSS, this book will have you understanding the languages in no time at all. This book does skip some important topics however, and the constant advertisements were quite unnecessary. Read more..
HTML & CSS: The Complete Reference
This is the most comprehensive, complete and up to date reference book for CSS and HTML. Perfect if you don’t want to learn as a complete novice and prefer to follow a detailed and technical approach. This book comes complete with a thorough index and list of attributes as well as solid examples of code usage. It will teach you enough of the fundamentals and syntax of the languages while acting like a reference point for more advanced users. Read more..
HTML & XHTML: The Definitive Guide
This is a definitive guide to HTML and is definitely one you’ll want in your collection. Very popular and well received, well-written and informative. Great as a starting point or for reference material you’ll continue to use long after its first read. This book covers every tag and related attributes, provides a solid introduction to the fundamentals of HTML and web design, and good information on trends and browser compatibility. Read more..
HTML & XHTML: The Definitive Guide
This beginner’s guide is informative, well explained, and full of useful short tests. It also introduces the reader to Javascript, CSS, web design, and hosting/administration. The book focuses on an on-going project where you build your own website, gradually adding to it as your skills improve. It is a great and user-friendly addition to your bookcase, with thorough reference section. The tutorials are practical and fun. Individuals overwhelmed with taking on a new skill will discover, with this book, how simple and exciting learning HTML can be. Read more..
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