The 21 best HTML books of all time

A data-backed answer

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Methodology

There are countless lists on the internet claiming to be the list of must-read HTML books and it seemed that all those lists always recommended that same books minus two or three odd choices.

Finding good resources for learning programming is always tricky. Every-one has its own opinion about what book is the best to learn, and as we say in french, “Color and tastes should not be argued about”.

However I though it would be interesting to trust the wisdom of the crown and to find the books that appeared the most in those “Best HTML Book” lists.

If you want to jump right on the results go take a look below at the full results. If you want to learn about the methodology, bear with me.

I’ve simply asked Google for a few queries like “Best HTML Books” and its variations of. I have then scrapped all those pages (using ScrapingBee, a web scraping API I’m working on).

I’ve deduplicated the links and ended up with nearly 306 links. Using the title of the pages I was also able to quickly discards:

I ended up with almost 281 HTML files. I went on opening all the files on my browser, open my chrome inspector, found and wrote the CSS selector matching book titles in the article. This took me around 1hours, almost 30 seconds per page.

This also allowed me to discard even more nonrelevant pages, and I discarded a lot. In the end I compiled around 166 lists into this one.

Book titles were then extracted with manuel extraction and some web scraping.

I ended up with a huge list of books, not usable without some post-processing.

To find the most quoted HTML books I needed to normalize my results.

I had to play with all the different variation like “{title} by {author}” or “{title} - {author}”.

Or “{title}:{subtitle}” and “{title}”, or even all the one containing edition number.

And afterquite a bit of manual cleaning.

My list now looked like this:

From there it was easy to compute the most recommended books. You can find all the data used to process this list on this repo. Now let’s take a look at the list:

I've also recently used some data from different book sellers in order to not forget important books and try to give more weight to books with incredible reviews.

‍

Results

21
)

Learn To Code Html And Css (Voices That Matter)

by
Shay Howe
4.0
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
HTML and CSS can be a little daunting at first but fear not. This book, based on Shay Howe's popular workshop covers the basics and breaks down the barrier to entry, showing readers how they can start using HTML and CSS through practical techniques today.

They'll find accompanying code examples online, while they explore topics such as the different structures of HTML and CSS, and common terms. After establishing a basic understanding of HTML and CSS a deeper dive is taken into the box model and how to work with floats. The book includes an exercise focused on cleaning up a web page by improving the user interface and design, solely using HTML and CSS.

With a few quick changes the web page changes shape and comes to life. Interactive, technically up-to-the-minute and easy-to-understand, this book will advance a student's skills to a professional level.
”
Amazon.com
20
)

Web Design with HTML & CSS3: Comprehensive (Shelly Cashman Series)

by
Jessica Minnick
4.1
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
Introduce your students to the latest, industry-leading, website development practices with the newest book in the remarkable Shelly Cashman Series. For more than three decades, the Shelly Cashman Series has effectively introduced computer skills to millions of students.

Now, Minnick�s HTML5 AND CSS3: COMPREHENSIVE, 8E makes a huge leap forward, bringing today�s best practices in website development into focus with meaningful applications. The webpage development process starts with a semantic wireframe and weaves proven principles of responsive design into each chapter.

This edition contains a raft of new, fresh projects that logically build in complexity and also probe for understanding. This edition and accompanying teaching resources strive to not only help you teach valid HTLM and CSS, but also help you reveal deeper conceptual issues essential to the field of web development.
”
Amazon.com
19
)

Web Design Playground: HTML & CSS the Interactive Way

by
Paul McFedries
4.2
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
Summary Web Design Playground takes you step by step from writing your first line of HTML to creating interesting and attractive web pages. In this project-based book, you'll use a custom online workspace, the book's companion Playground, to design websites, product pages, photo galleries, and more.

Purchase of the print book includes a free eBook in PDF, Kindle, and ePub formats from Manning Publications. About the Technology How do top designers learn to create beautiful web pages and intuitive user experiences? Great examples, expert mentoring, and lots of practice! Written by web designer and master teacher Paul McFedries, this unique book shapes and sharpens your skills in HTML, CSS, and web page design.

About the Book Web Design Playground takes you step by step from writing your first line of HTML to creating interesting, attractive web pages. In this project-based book, you'll use a custom online workspace to design websites, product pages, photo galleries, and more.

Don't worry about setting up your own servers and domain names—the book comes with a free "playground" which lets you experiment without any of that! You can concentrate on core skills like adding images and video and laying out the page, plus learning typography, responsive design, and the other tools of the web trade. What's inside Getting started with HTML, CSS, and web design A free, fully interactive web design workspace Working with images, color, and fonts Full-color illustrations throughout About the Reader If you can use a browser, you're ready to create web pages! About the Author Paul McFedries has written nearly 100 books, which have sold over four million copies world-wide
”
Amazon.com
18
)

Html Guide (Quick Study Computer)

by
Inc. BarCharts
4.3
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
Covers basic information developed for Hypertext Mark-up Language, version 4. Chart includes detailed information on: · constructing forms · HTML tags · character formatting · lists & tables · hyperlinks to URLs · images & image maps · sound & animation
”
Amazon.com
17
)

Responsive Web Design with HTML5 and CSS: Develop future-proof responsive websites using the latest HTML5 and CSS techniques, 3rd Edition

by
Ben Frain
4.5
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
Harness the latest capabilities of HTML5 and CSS to create a single UI that works flawlessly on mobile phones, tablets, and desktops ― plus everything in-between Key Features Understand what responsive web design is and its significance for modern web development Explore the latest developments in responsive web design including variable fonts, CSS Scroll Snap, and more Get to grips with the uses and benefits of the new CSS Grid layout Book Description Responsive Web Design with HTML5 and CSS, Third Edition is a renewed and extended version of one of the most comprehensive and bestselling books on the latest HTML5 and CSS tools and techniques for responsive web design. Written in the author's signature friendly and informal style, this edition covers all the newest developments and improvements in responsive web design including better user accessibility, variable fonts and font loading, CSS Scroll Snap, and much, much more.

With a new chapter dedicated to CSS Grid, you will understand how it differs from the Flexbox layout mechanism and when you should use one over the other. Furthermore, you will acquire practical knowledge of SVG, writing accessible HTML markup, creating stunning aesthetics and effects with CSS, applying transitions, transformations, and animations, integrating media queries, and more.

The book concludes by exploring some exclusive tips and approaches for front-end development from the author. By the end of this book, you will not only have a comprehensive understanding of responsive web design and what is possible with the latest HTML5 and CSS, but also the knowledge of how to best implement each technique.

What you will learn Integrate CSS media queries into your designs; apply different styles to different devices Load different sets of images depending upon screen size or resolution Leverage the speed, semantics, and clean markup of accessible HTML patterns Implement SVGs into your designs to provide resolution-independent images Apply the latest features of CSS like custom properties, variable fonts, and CSS Grid Add validation and interface elements like date and color pickers to HTML forms Understand the multitude of ways to enhance interface elements with filters, shadows, animations, and more Who this book is for Are you a full-stack developer who needs to gem up on their front-end skills? Perhaps you work on the front-end and you need a definitive overview of all modern HTML and CSS has to offer? Maybe you have done a little website building but you need a deep understanding of responsive web designs and how to achieve them? This is a book for you! All you need to take advantage of this book is a working understanding of HTML and CSS. No JavaScript knowledge is needed
”
Amazon.com
16
)

HTML, XHTML and CSS For Dummies

by
Ed Tittel & Jeff Noble
4.5
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
The indispensable introductory reference guide to HTML, XHTML and CSS Even though new technologies enable people to do much more with the Web, in the end HTML, XHTML and CSS are still at the root of any Web site. The newest edition of this bestselling guide is fully updated and revised for the latest technology changes to the field, including HTML5 and CSS3.

Illustrated in full color, this book provides beginner and advanced coders the tools they need to be proficient at these programming languages. Shows you how to create a Web page and formulate XHTML document structure Addresses working with content management systems (WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla), and designing for mobile devices (iPhone, BlackBerry, and Android) Introduces HTML5 and CSS3, tools critical to mobile Web development Reviews working with text, lists, and images, and customizing links Demonstrates ways to employ cascading style sheets (CSS) and get creative with colors and fonts Details integrating scripts with XHTML and understanding deprecated HTML markup tags Written by two veteran computer whizzes, HTML, XHTML and CSS For Dummies will help you get the design results you want!
”
Amazon.com
15
)

HTML & CSS: The Complete Reference, Fifth Edition (Complete Reference Series)

by
Thomas Powell
4.9
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
Publisher's Note: Products purchased from Third Party sellers are not guaranteed by the publisher for quality, authenticity, or access to any online entitlements included with the product. The Definitive Guide to HTML & CSS--Fully Updated Written by a Web development expert, the fifth edition of this trusted resource has been thoroughly revised and reorganized to address HTML5, the revolutionary new Web standard.

The book covers all the elements supported in today's Web browsers--from the standard (X)HTML tags to the archaic and proprietary tags that may be encountered. HTML & CSS: The Complete Reference, Fifth Edition contains full details on CSS 2.1 as well as every proprietary and emerging CSS3 property currently supported.

Annotated examples of correct markup and style show you how to use all of these technologies to build impressive Web pages. Helpful appendixes cover the syntax of character entities, fonts, colors, and URLs.

This comprehensive reference is an essential tool for professional Web developers. Master transitional HTML 4.01 and XHTML 1.0 markup Write emerging standards-based markup with HTML5 Enhance presentation with Cascading Style Sheets (CSS1 and CSS 2.1) Learn proprietary and emerging CSS3 features Learn how to read (X)HTML document type definitions (DTDs) Apply everything in an open standards-focused fashion Thomas A.

Powell is president of PINT, Inc. (pint.com), a nationally recognized Web agency.

He developed the Web Publishing Certificate program for the University of California, San Diego Extension and is an instructor for the Computer Science Department at UCSD. He is the author of the previous bestselling editions of this book and Ajax: The Complete Reference, and co-author of JavaScript: The Complete Reference.
”
Amazon.com
14
)

HTML5 Pocket Reference: Quick, Comprehensive, Indispensable (Pocket Reference (O'Reilly))

by
Jennifer Robbins
6.3
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
Need help finding the right HTML5 element or attribute for your web page or application? HTML5 Pocket Reference is the classic reference that web designers and developers have been keeping close at hand for more than thirteen years. This fifth edition has been updated to reflect the current state of HTML5, including the HTML5 Candidate Recommendation, the emerging HTML5.1 Working Draft, and the living WHATWG standard
”
Amazon.com
13
)

Html5

by
Inc. BarCharts
6.7
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
If you are at all familiar with HTML, chances are you want to know more about the cutting-edge digital development toolbox, HTML5. Whether you are building your knowledge base from scratch or you are a seasoned user of HTML, this guide will be an excellent reference source to learn more about the changes and additions to HTML that will be affecting a browser near you!
”
Amazon.com
12
)

HTML, CSS, and JavaScript All in One: Covering HTML5, CSS3, and ES6, Sams Teach Yourself

by
Julie Meloni & Jennifer Kyrnin
7.2
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
A solid understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript -- and how they work together -- is vital to any kind of contemporary web development.  And these core technologies are only growing in importance as contemporary web development moves away from a reliance on proprietary technologies like Flash for rich interface and mobile applications. Teach Yourself HTML, CSS, and JavaScript All in One combines these three fundamental web development technologies into one clearly written, carefully organized, step-by-step tutorial that expertly guides the beginner through these three interconnected technologies.

By the end of this book the reader will understand how these technologies work, and more importantly, how they work together to create modern web pages and sites. After completing the book's lessons the reader will be able to confidently create basic but professional-looking interactive web sites
”
Amazon.com
11
)

HTML QuickStart Guide: The Simplified Beginner's Guide To HTML

by
ClydeBank Technology
8.2
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Learning HTML. Learning HTML Has Never Been Easier! Are you trying to expand your coding and web design horizons? This Guide Presents HTML Broken Down into Easy-to-Follow Steps with Extensive Examples & Real Application! Learning web design applications has never been easier or more relevant.

When it comes to learning web design languages, it can be tough to even know where to start. Many guides and walkthroughs are simply too dense and loaded with programming jargon.

ClydeBank Media's HTML QuickStart Guide takes readers and learners through the HTML learning process in a step-by-step progressive path. Our simplified presentation means that foundational concepts are built upon to speed up the HTML mastery process.

This guide starts with the fundamentals and takes readers all the way to building their very own full-fledged HTML5-compliant web page. In today's business environment, coding and web design languages are critical skills.

Additionally, they are a great way to boost your resume and set yourself apart from other job applicants. Whether you are making a career change to the tech sector or just looking to brush up on crucial web design concepts, ClydeBank Media's HTML QuickStart Guide is an affordable and valuable HTML resource.

No one wants to read a wall of text or just talk about HTML concepts. In addition to a simplified presentation, this learning guide uses extensive screenshots and practical examples to illustrate key HTML functions and accelerate the mastery process.

Practical examples and numerous screenshots make it feel like you have your own personal HTML tutor looking over your shoulder. Though there are numerous programming languages for the web, HTML forms the backbone of web design and is a powerful tool in any web designer's toolbox.

In fact, HTML markup is hard at work right now formatting this text you're reading! This approach to learning HTML is so easy that no prior web design or coding experience is needed. No special software or applications are required - just a desire to learn and to build HTML5-compliant websites.

**New** Your purchase comes with free lifetime access to our collection of relevant digital assets. These guides, summaries, checklists, and cheat sheets enhance your learning journey and supplement this QuickStart Guide.

You'll Learn... Foundational HTML Terminology Basic Page Structure - Head & Body Markup Page Content Creation - Paragraphs, Lists, Tables and Images Content Structure - Headers, Footers, Semantic Images The Importance of HTML5 Compatibility The Top Mistakes to AVOID That Those New to HTML Make! Scroll Up to the Top of the Page and Click the Orange “Buy Now” Button to Join Thousands of Other Satisfied Readers and Self- Paced Learners
”
Amazon.com
10
)

Murach's HTML5 and CSS3, 4th Edition

by
Anne Boehm & Zak Ruvalcaba
9.6
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
Until now, my websites looked great but have been coded with what seems like duct-tape and bubble-gum methods, just for appearances and not for professionalism or compliance. This book taught me all that is possible with HTML and CSS coding....

What a game changer! That's what one web designer posted about a previous edition of Murach's HTML5 and CSS3. Now, this 4th Edition updates and improves all the HTML and CSS content in the book...and it adds coverage of Flexible Box and Grid Layout, two new CSS3 ways to implement page layouts.

So whether you're a web designer, a JavaScript programmer, a server-side programmer, or a rookie, this book delivers all the HTML and CSS skills that you need on the job. This book begins with an 8-chapter hands-on course that teaches you HTML and CSS from scratch, including the latest HTML5 and CSS3 features.

This short course ends with a chapter that teaches you how to use fluid design and media queries to implement Responsive Web Design so your pages will look good and work right on any screen, from phone to tablet to desktop. After that, the unique design of this book lets you go on to any other chapter to learn new skills whenever you need them.

For example, chapters 9 and 10 show you how to use Flexible Box and Grid Layout. Chapter 13 shows you how to work with forms and data validation.

Chapter 14 shows you how to enhance a site with video clips. Chapter 16 shows you how to use CSS3 transitions, transforms, and animations.

Chapters 17 and 18 show you how to design and deploy a website. Chapters 19 and 20 introduce other professional skills like how to use JavaScript and jQuery and how to use development tools like Bootstrap, SASS, and Emmet
”
Amazon.com
9
)

Learning Web Design: A Beginner's Guide to HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Web Graphics

by
Jennifer Robbins
10.4
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
Do you want to build web pages but have no prior experience? This friendly guide is the perfect place to start. You’ll begin at square one, learning how the web and web pages work, and then steadily build from there.

By the end of the book, you’ll have the skills to create a simple site with multicolumn pages that adapt for mobile devices. Each chapter provides exercises to help you learn various techniques and short quizzes to make sure you understand key concepts.

This thoroughly revised edition is ideal for students and professionals of all backgrounds and skill levels. It is simple and clear enough for beginners, yet thorough enough to be a useful reference for experienced developers keeping their skills up to date
”
Amazon.com
8
)

HTML5 and CSS3 All-in-One For Dummies

by
Andy Harris
10.5
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
A new edition of a bestseller covers the latest advances in web development! HTML5 and CSS3 are essential tools for creating dynamic websites and boast updates and enhanced features that can make your websites even more effective and unique. This friendly, all-in-one guide covers everything you need to know about each of these technologies and their latest versions so that you can use them together.

Building on the bestselling formats of the first two editions, this new edition teaches you the fundamentals of HTML5 and CSS3, and then presents ways for using them with JavaScript, MySQL, and Ajax to create websites that work. Covers using JavaScript, PHP, MySQL, and Ajax in the context of programming dynamic web pages with CSS3 and HTML5 Includes self-contained minibooks that review HTML, CSS, design and layout, client-side JavaScript, Ajax and server-side, and putting it all together Examines new web development advancements including new technologies and changes to the standards Features a website that contains supporting materials including code and several valuable programs that are useful for web development HTML5 and CSS3 All-in-One For Dummies, 3rd Edition serves as the perfect reference for both web development beginners and seasoned professionals looking to learn more about how to get the most out of the powerful combination of HTML5 and CSS3.
”
Amazon.com
7
)

Learning PHP, MySQL & JavaScript: With jQuery, CSS & HTML5 (Learning PHP, MYSQL, Javascript, CSS & HTML5)

by
Robin Nixon
10.9
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
Build interactive, data driven websites with the potent combination of open source technologies and web standards, even if you have only basic HTML knowledge. In this update to this popular hands on guide, you’ll tackle dynamic web programming with the latest versions of today’s core technologies: PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, CSS, HTML5, and key jQuery libraries.

Web designers will learn how to use these technologies together and pick up valuable web programming practices along the way—including how to optimize websites for mobile devices. At the end of the book, you’ll put everything together to build a fully functional social networking site suitable for both desktop and mobile browsers
”
Amazon.com
6
)

Learning Web Design: A Beginner's Guide to HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Web Graphics

by
Jennifer Robbins
12.2
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
Do you want to build web pages, but have no previous experience? This friendly guide is the perfect place to start. You’ll begin at square one, learning how the Web and web pages work, and then steadily build from there.

By the end of the book, you’ll have the skills to create a simple site with multi-column pages that adapt for mobile devices. Learn how to use the latest techniques, best practices, and current web standards—including HTML5 and CSS3.

Each chapter provides exercises to help you to learn various techniques, and short quizzes to make sure you understand key concepts. This thoroughly revised edition is ideal for students and professionals of all backgrounds and skill levels, whether you’re a beginner or brushing up on existing skills
”
Amazon.com
5
)

Beginner's Step-by-Step Coding Course: Learn Computer Programming the Easy Way

by
DK
12.3
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
With this visual guide to computer programming for beginners, it has never been easier to learn how to code. Coding skills are in high demand and the need for programmers is still growing.

Covering three of the most popular languages for new coders, this book uses a graphic method to break complex subjects into user-friendly chunks, bringing essential skills within easy reach. Each chapter contains tutorials on practical projects designed to teach you the main applications of each language, such as building websites, creating games, and designing apps.

The book also looks at many of the main coding languages that are out there, outlining the key applications of each language, so you can choose the right language for you. You'll learn to think like a programmer by breaking a problem down into parts, before turning those parts into lines of code.

Short, easy-to-follow steps then show you, piece by piece, how to build a complete program. There are challenges for you to tackle to build your confidence before moving on
”
Amazon.com
4
)

Head First HTML and CSS: A Learner's Guide to Creating Standards-Based Web Pages

by
Elisabeth Robson & Eric Freeman
13.6
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
Tired of reading HTML books that only make sense after you're an expert? Then it's about time you picked up Head First HTML and CSS, and really learned HTML. You want to learn HTML so you can finally create those web pages you've always wanted, so you can communicate more effectively with friends, family, fans, and fanatic customers.

You also want to do it right so you can actually maintain and expand your web pages over time so they work in all browsers and mobile devices. Oh, and if you've never heard of CSS, that's okay--we won't tell anyone you're still partying like it's 1999--but if you're going to create web pages in the 21st century then you'll want to know and understand CSS.

Learn the real secrets of creating web pages, and why everything your boss told you about HTML tables is probably wrong (and what to do instead). Most importantly, hold your own with your co-worker (and impress cocktail party guests) when he casually mentions how his HTML is now strict, and his CSS is in an external style sheet.

With Head First HTML and CSS, you'll avoid the embarrassment of thinking web-safe colors still matter, and the foolishness of slipping a font tag into your pages. Best of all, you'll learn HTML and CSS in a way that won't put you to sleep.

If you've read a Head First book, you know what to expect: a visually-rich format designed for the way your brain works. Using the latest research in neurobiology, cognitive science, and learning theory, this book will load HTML and CSS into your brain in a way that sticks.

So what are you waiting for? Leave those other dusty books behind and come join us in Webville. Your tour is about to begin.
”
Amazon.com
3
)

Get Coding!: Learn HTML, CSS & JavaScript & Build a Website, App & Game

by
Young Rewired State
22.8
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
Learn how to write HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and build your own website, app, and game! An essential guide to computer programming for kids— by kids. Crack open this book and set off on several fun missions — while simultaneously learning the basics of writing code.

Want to make a website from scratch? Create an app? Build a game? All the tools are here, laid out in a user-friendly format that leads kids on an imaginary quest to keep a valuable diamond safe from dangerous jewel thieves. Presented by Young Rewired State — an international collective of tech-savvy kids — in easy-to-follow, bite-size chunks, the real-life coding skills taught in this engaging, comprehensive guide may just set young readers on the path to becoming technology stars of the future.
”
Amazon.com
2
)

HTML and CSS: Design and Build Websites

by
Jon Duckett
24.9
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
A full-color introduction to the basics of HTML and CSS from the publishers of Wrox! Every day, more and more people want to learn some HTML and CSS. Joining the professional web designers and programmers are new audiences who need to know a little bit of code at work (update a content management system or e-commerce store) and those who want to make their personal blogs more attractive.

Many books teaching HTML and CSS are dry and only written for those who want to become programmers, which is why this book takes an entirely new approach. Introduces HTML and CSS in a way that makes them accessible to everyone―hobbyists, students, and professionals―and it’s full-color throughout Utilizes information graphics and lifestyle photography to explain the topics in a simple way that is engaging Boasts a unique structure that allows you to progress through the chapters from beginning to end or just dip into topics of particular interest at your leisure This educational book is one that you will enjoy picking up, reading, then referring back to
”
Amazon.com
1
)

Web Design with HTML, CSS, JavaScript and jQuery Set

by
Jon Duckett
24.9
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
A two-book set for web designers and front-end developers This two-book set combines the titles HTML & CSS: Designing and Building Web Sites and JavaScript & jQuery: Interactive Front-End Development. Together these two books form an ideal platform for anyone who wants to master HTML and CSS before stepping up to JavaScript and jQuery.

HTML & CSS covers structure, text, links, images, tables, forms, useful options, adding style with CSS, fonts, colors, thinking in boxes, styling lists and tables, layouts, grids, and even SEO, Google analytics, ftp, and HTML5. JavaScript & jQuery offers an excellent combined introduction to these two technologies using a clear and simple visual approach using diagrams, infographics, and photographs
”
Amazon.com

Conclusion

I hope that you liked this list. Please do not hesitate to check out the other ones I've published.

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