If you’re wondering how to learn C# in 2025, the good news is that it’s easier than ever to get started. C# is a popular programming language for beginners and professionals alike, and it’s used to build everything from desktop apps and websites to video games, cloud services, and mobile apps.1
C# is deeply integrated into Microsoft technologies. It can be used to create Windows desktop applications, background services, and cross-platform software. Like Java, C# is a modern object-oriented language based on C and C++. With the release of .NET 8, developers can build modern web apps, APIs, and cloud-native solutions. The .NET Framework supports multiple languages, including Visual Basic, giving developers flexibility in their choice of language. Many popular games on Windows and other platforms are also built with the Unity game engine, which uses C# as its primary scripting language.
This guide will discuss the best way to learn C# online. We’ll walk you through practical tips and resources to help you begin coding in C# with confidence. To get started, make sure to download the necessary development tools, such as Visual Studio or the lightweight Visual Studio Code, before you begin coding.
What is C#?
C#, pronounced “C sharp,” is a programming language that was originally designed for Windows. The C# language was designed based on C and C++ and uses the object-oriented programming paradigm to offer a developer-friendly experience. When learning C#, it is important to understand core language concepts such as syntax, logic, and the foundational features that form the basis of effective programming.
The C# programming language is a high-level programming language, which means it uses a simpler syntax than other languages like C++. C# abstracts away most of the machine-level code, so you can focus more on programming. Mastering logic is fundamental for controlling the flow of your programs and making decisions within your code. The C# language is good for beginners for these reasons.
The C# language is used by the Unity engine to make games, the .NET framework to create websites, and more broadly for Windows application development. C# offers comprehensive libraries that facilitate development and add functionality, making it easier to build both simple and complex projects. The C# language is good for beginners for these reasons, but it is also important to learn how to write code that is easy to maintain and update over time. While resources and tutorials are helpful, understanding the underlying concepts is what truly matters when learning a programming language.
Why Should You Learn C#?
C# has a good learning curve
The name for the C# language was based on that of the C language. C# was designed to be an improvement on C. Although the name may be similar to C and C++, C# is often seen to have a shallow learning curve. This learning curve involves covering fundamental topics and scenarios that are essential for mastering the language.
C# is an object-oriented language, which means that it uses classes and objects to structure data. This programming paradigm allows you to reduce repetition in your code and better control how data is structured. For beginners, object-oriented languages are often preferred for these reasons.
In addition, C# checks code when it is compiled and throws errors if there is a problem in your work. This can help you more easily identify errors in your work and quickly iterate as you learn more about coding in C#.
C# is backed by Microsoft
The C# language was originally developed by Microsoft. This is important for a couple of reasons. First, it means that there is no shortage of great developer resources out there that you can use to help you master C#. Second, because Microsoft uses C# so heavily, there is little chance that this programming language will fall out of favor in the near future. So, in theory, learning C# could be a good long-term investment. The language has been in development for around 20 years, and it is constantly being updated.
Popular development tools like Visual Studio and Unity are based on C#. This means that it is even less likely that this tool will see any significant decline in popularity any time soon. Deprecating C# would involve these tools having to move their code bases to another language, which does not happen often.
C# developers earn high salaries
In the case of C#, there is only one word we can use to describe the salary prospects for skilled developers: favorable.
According to ZipRecruiter, as of September 2025, the average C# .NET developer commands a median annual salary of $109.892.2 In addition, the average lead C# .NET developer earns a median salary of $117,031 in September 2025.3
When reflecting on these statistics, one thing becomes clear: learning how to code in C# can have a significant impact on your salary.
What is C# Used For?
C# is a general-purpose, object-oriented programming language, which means it can be applied to many types of projects.4 Developers use C# to build Windows desktop applications, background services, and tools, especially through frameworks like WinForms, WPF, and the modern .NET platform.
Another major use of C# is in game development. The Unity game engine supports scripting in C#, making it a popular choice for both indie and professional game developers.5
C# is also a strong option for server-side web development. Through ASP.NET and ASP.NET Core, developers can build dynamic websites, APIs, and back-end services using C# running on the .NET runtime.
How Long Does it Take to Learn C#?
It all depends on your learning style, time commitment, and interest in learning C#. Assuming you devote about an hour a day to learning, it may take about two to three months to learn the basics of C#. You may learn C# more quickly if you study part-time or full-time.
To make the most of your learning journey, it’s helpful to track your progress and follow a structured learning path. This approach ensures you build your skills step by step to see your level of advancement over time.
It can generally take at least a year to develop a firm understanding of C# for a professional setting—and your learning journey will never be over. Even after you become a professional C# programmer, there will always be something new for you to learn.
Some of The Best Way to Learn C#
So, you may be thinking to yourself: “Learning C# sounds like a good idea.” That’s great. But now you will likely be asking: “How do you actually learn to code in C#?”
To help you answer this question, we’re going to break it down into two parts. First, we’ll discuss the high-level skills that you need to master. Then, we will talk about learning methods.
How to Learn C# Free
C# is a powerful language, and there’s no doubt it has a lot of uses. But before you go on to building complex video games or websites, you’ll need to master the basics of coding in C#.
Once you’ve learned the basic syntax for C#, it will remain largely consistent, though newer versions of the language may add additional features.
Let’s explore the main topics that you need to learn about to master C#.
Syntax and Variables
Syntax is the basic set of rules and procedures that guide how you code. Before you go on further, you’ll need to master the syntax for C#.
The next step in your journey will be to learn about variables. These are used to store data in a program. Here are the main topics related to syntax and variables that you’ll need to learn:
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- How to create a C# program
- How to receive user input
- How to write comments
- How to declare a variable
- What data types can be used with variables
- How to convert the data type used by a variable
Loops and Conditionals
Loops allow you to automate repetitive tasks in a program. They are useful because they allow you to reuse similar code multiple times instead of repeating code manually in your program.
Conditionals allow you to control the flow of your program. They run certain code when a set of conditions is met in your program. This gives you greater control over when certain parts of a program are run.
The main topics you should explore related to loops and conditionals are:
- If and else statements
- Comparison operators
- Boolean data type
- Logical operators
- Truth tables
- For loops and the for each statement
Methods and Arrays
A method is a type of function that groups together a block of code and performs a specific action in a program. For instance, a method could add two numbers together or go through a list and print each item to the console. Methods are the building blocks of code in C#.
An array is a method of storing lists of data in C#. For instance, an array could store data on a list of fruits sold at a fruit stand.
Here are the main topics related to methods and arrays that you should master:
- How to define a method
- How to call a method
- Method parameters
- Parameters vs. arguments
- Method overloading
- What is an array
- How to access items in an array
- How to change items in an array
Classes and Objects
C# is an object-oriented programming language, and it relies on classes and objects to determine the structure of data in a program.
Classes are like blueprints that define how a set of data should be structured. For instance, a class may define all the data that a user’s account can store in a banking application. Objects, on the other hand, are individual instances of a class. So an object may contain the account information for a specific customer based on the bank account class blueprint.
The main topics you should know about related to classes and objects are:
- What is a class
- What is an object
- Fields and properties
- Public vs. private access modifiers
- Constructors
- this keyword
- Overloading constructors
- The dot notation
Inheritance and Interfaces
Inheritance is a feature of object-oriented programming that allows you to create a class based on existing ones. Interfaces allow you to enforce certain properties on a class.
Both these features can help you reduce repetition in your code and write more efficient and readable programs. The main topics you should master are:
- What is an interface
- How to build an interface
- How to implement and use an interface
- Parent and child classes
- How to create a parent class
- The base keyword (used to access members of a parent class)
Once you’ve mastered these basic topics, you’ll be ready to take the next step in your journey: building projects. Ideally, you’ll want to start building projects as soon as you can, even as you are learning these concepts. This will help you reinforce your knowledge and practice the theory that you have learned in class.
In addition, once you’ve learned the basics, you can go on to learn frameworks like .NET or explore the Unity game engine.
Learn C# Online Resources
Because there are so many great resources out there on how to learn C#, it can be difficult to know where to begin.
The answer to that lies in your learning style. Do you like online tutorials? Or do you prefer to read a book? Do you want to learn in a classroom-based environment, or do you prefer working at your own pace? Whatever your learning style is, you should try to anchor the materials toward that style so you stay engaged.
Online C# Courses
Introduction to C# Programming and Unity
- Price: Free
- Audience: Beginners
This course is for people who want to build video games using C# and Unity on either Windows or Mac. Unity is one of the most popular game engines and is a valuable industry skill.
In this course, you’ll learn the basics of C# and object-oriented programming. You’ll work toward building a game that reinforces the skills you have learned in the course.
Learn C# by Codecademy
- Price: Basic access is free
- Audience: Beginners
This course covers the fundamental programming features in the C# language. Expect to learn everything from how to declare a variable all the way to using references and writing LINQ queries.
C# Fundamentals
- Price: Free trial
- Audience: Beginners
C# Fundamentals introduces learners to the basic syntax of C#. You’ll learn how to write a program in C#, and you’ll venture on to discuss .NET. Toward the end of the course, you’ll learn about object-oriented programming and how it applies to C#.
Online C# Books
C# Programming Yellow Book by Rob Miles
This book is used by the University of Hull to teach the first year of their computer science course. In this book, you’ll cover all the basics of C#. You will learn about data processing, solving problems with C#, and the syntax behind C#.
This book includes some more advanced examples so that you can push your knowledge.
Fundamentals of Computer Programming with C#
This book is an excellent introduction to the C# programming language. The book is over 1,000 pages long, so there’s plenty of material to learn.
You’ll start with a detailed introduction to programming, and then you’ll slowly work your way through all of the fundamental aspects of C#.
Learn C# in One Day
Unlike other books that go into significant depth on various aspects of C#, this book takes another approach. It aims to teach you the basics of C# in as little time as possible.
This book only covers what you need to know to write a simple program in C#. It is great for people who have little to no experience with programming or C#.
Online C# Resources
Microsoft C# Tutorials
C# was developed by Microsoft, so it makes sense that the company has been active in writing documentation and learning resources for the language.
On the Microsoft website, you’ll find a stockpile of great tutorials that you can use to learn C#. For instance, Microsoft has a list of videos and articles to help you learn C# on their .NET website.6
Microsoft C# Documentation
You can also learn from Microsoft’s C# guide in the language’s documentation, which is a great starting point for beginners.7 The Microsoft C# guide covers all the basic principles of C# that you’ll need to know to code an application using the language.
LearnCS.org
LearnCS.org offers a basic introduction on how to code in C#.8 You’ll cover all the basics from arrays and dictionaries to variables and data types.
Build a Project
Learning from tutorials can only take you so far; after you’ve mastered the basics, you should start working on your own projects.
Working on projects is a great way to gain knowledge because it allows you to apply the theories that you have learned. This can help with boosting retention. You’ll have to think about both the concepts you have learned and how they apply to the specific project that you’re building.
To start, you should focus on building a few basic projects. This will help you get used to working on independent work that you’ve chosen. Then, when you’re ready, you can move your attention toward bigger projects.
If you’re stuck for inspiration, ask yourself the question: “What problems do I frequently encounter?” This will help you get into the mindset of thinking about new ideas.
Here are a few examples of starter projects you could build using C#:
- A login page for a game
- An app that stores a list of trading cards that you collect
- A ticketing application for teams
- A program that helps you archive your files
- An app to share clips from your favorite podcasts
If you’re looking to build a game with C#, then you must first come up with concept ideas. All you need to do is rack your brain for answers to the question: “What is my dream game?” Remember to start small.
Once you’ve finished your first project, keep going. Build another one and make it more technically complex than your last one, if you feel like you are ready. Or, you could add new features to an existing project. This will help you get into the mindset of “How can I improve my work?,” which will allow you to learn C# faster.
Join a Developer Community
Learning to code is not a journey you should take in solitude. On the contrary, you should try to expose yourself to as many other developers as possible.
Joining a developer community should be high on your list of priorities when learning how to code. Developer communities are hubs for developers to come together, help each other, and discuss technical and non-technical questions.
When you join a community, you’ll be able to ask questions to other developers. You’ll be able to provide support when you can and, in the process, get a greater sense of the C# developer ecosystem.
Are you unsure which communities to join? Here is a list of a few communities that are great for C# beginners:
- C# on Discord: The C# community on Discord is a group of developers who have come together to discuss C#.9 In the community, you can ask questions, seek feedback on your work, and help others whenever possible.
- .NET Blog: The .NET blog, while not exactly a community, is a great source of information for all .NET developers, and is worth following.10
- Stack Overflow: Stack Overflow is a website used by developers around the world to ask and answer programming questions.11 There are many great questions on Stack Overflow related to C# already. If you have your own, you can always post it to the platform.
Your first priority when joining a developer community should be to find ways to contribute. If you’re looking for more communities for C# developers, check out Microsoft’s list of C# communities.12
Practice Your C# Skills
Practice, practice, practice. This principle is so important that it cannot be repeated enough.
Coding is a skill, and like any skill, the more you practice, the better you’ll get. Although you may feel somewhat unnerved by the complexity of C# at first, these feelings will dissipate. You’ll become more comfortable working with the language.
Practice is so important when it comes to coding because you’ll inevitably make mistakes. The only way that you’ll learn from them is to keep working hard and figuring out ways to improve your work. And, over time, you’ll develop a mental catalog of errors and mistakes you have seen, which will help you become a more effective programmer.
How often should you practice? That’s up to you, but when you’re getting started, it is best to try to fit in as much practice as you can. If possible, try to code daily or at least a few times a week. This will reduce the likelihood that you forget about coding and stop working on projects.
How to Learn C#: Practice Ideas
If you’re looking for creative ways to practice, here are a few ideas:
- Create a project. Building a project is a great way to learn how to code in C#. Think about an idea, then try to build it with the skills you have acquired.
- Participate in a hackathon. Hackathons are contests where people come together to build a project in a short period of time. Participating in a hackathon is a great way to meet other developers who have varying levels of skills in the languages you know.
- Take on a coding challenge. On sites like Codewars and Coderbyte, you can find coding challenges that have been written to help people refine their knowledge of coding.13,14 These sites often have challenges specifically for C# developers, which you can use to level up your skills.
Keep practicing, and before you know it, you’ll be a master at coding in C#.
Wrapping up
C# may be a more “mature” programming language than others, but it is still widely used today. And, it has an active developer community. If you want to build games for Windows, build websites using .NET, or just create an app for a Windows device, knowing C# is useful.
In summary, here are the main steps you should take in order to learn C# fast:
- Research and follow learning resources
- Master the basics
- Work on projects
- Join a developer community
- Practice your C# skills
By following these steps, you’ll be able to start your journey to learning how to code in C# on a great footing.
Sources:
1 https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/csharp/
2 https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/C-Net-Developer-Salary#Yearly
3 https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Lead-Net-Developer-Salary#Yearly
4 https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/csharp/tour-of-csharp/overview
5 https://unity.com/how-to/programming-unity
6 https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/csharp
9 https://discord.com/invite/ccyrDKv
10 https://devblogs.microsoft.com/dotnet/
11 https://stackoverflow.com/questions/tagged/.net?sort=frequent
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