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You can start learning Ruby from free online books, but the right choice depends on whether you are new to programming, already code in another language, or want to study Ruby’s internals. LinuxLinks’ May 1, 2019 roundup is a useful starting point, not a current tested ranking: the accessible material describes 10 titles, and the available evidence does not establish the complete list of 20 or whether every link still works.
How to choose a free Ruby book
Before committing to a book, check three things: the assumed programming background, the subjects it covers, and the Ruby version shown in its examples. Older material can still teach concepts, but its code may not match the Ruby version you use.
- New to programming: Start with a book that teaches general programming ideas as well as Ruby. The official Ruby documentation recommends Chris Pine’s Learn to Program for programming newcomers: Ruby documentation and learning resources.
- Know another language: Focus on Ruby syntax, idioms, blocks, modules, and object-oriented design rather than spending most of your time on basic programming concepts.
- Want advanced topics: Choose a book focused on idiomatic code, metaprogramming, or interpreter implementation, and check its age and scope carefully.
- Need a current reference: Ruby-lang.org highlights Programming Ruby 3.3, updated for Ruby 3.3. For version-specific details, use the official documentation alongside any book.
Free online reading does not necessarily mean every format or companion resource is free. Some entries below are also offered in paid print or electronic editions; buying one is optional.
Free Ruby books described in the roundup
The accessible entries in LinuxLinks’ roundup range from first steps to interpreter internals. These descriptions are not a claim that each link remains available or that the titles have been tested against current Ruby releases.
#1 Best Overall
| Book | Best fit | What it covers and version context |
|---|---|---|
| Learn Ruby the Hard Way — Zed A. Shaw | Programming beginners | The roundup describes free reading and also mentions paper editions. Video lectures are excluded from the free reading offer. |
| The Book of Ruby: A Hands-on Guide for the Adventurous — Huw Collingbourne | Learning Ruby concepts through a progression of topics | Moves from types, data structures, and control flow to blocks, mixins, and metaclasses. The roundup describes it as a 425-page PDF in 20 chapters. |
| Ruby Best Practices — Gregory T. Brown | Readers who know the basics and want to write more idiomatic code | Covers idioms, real codebases, API and DSL design, and functional programming ideas. The roundup says the original site had been down and a PDF copy was available. |
| Ruby Hacking Guide — Aoki-san | Advanced readers studying interpreter implementation history | Its scope is Ruby 1.7.x–1.8.x internals. Originally written in Japanese and translated into English, it includes chapters identified as previews in the roundup. |
| I Love Ruby — A. K. Karthikeyan | Introductory learners | Its examples are designed for Ruby 2.5. The roundup mentions online access as well as paper and Kindle editions. |
| Programming Ruby – The Pragmatic Programmer’s Guide — David Thomas and Andrew Hunt | A tutorial and a reference to the language’s built-in facilities | The roundup describes material on built-in classes, modules, methods, and standard libraries, distributed under the Open Publication License. Check the edition and Ruby version before using it as a current reference. |
| The Little Book of Ruby — Huw Collingbourne | Learning core Ruby fundamentals | Includes strings, numbers, objects, methods, classes, arrays, hashes, iterators, modules, and mixins. |
| why’s (poignant) Guide to Ruby — why the lucky stiff | Readers who enjoy an unconventional introduction | An open-source introduction told through stories, humor, and comics. Its distinctive style will not suit everyone. |
| Kestrels, Quirky Birds, and Hopeless Egocentricity — Reg “raganwald” Braithwaite | Readers exploring metaprogramming and functional techniques | Essays cover combinatory logic, method combinators, and Ruby metaprogramming. The roundup describes a suggested price alongside a free download and an MIT License. |
| Ruby Programming — Wikibooks | A broad, topic-based introduction and reference | Topics include installation, syntax, unit testing, C extensions, and embedding Ruby in C. |
Choose a reading path for your experience
If you are new to programming
- Begin with Chris Pine’s Learn to Program, which Ruby-lang.org specifically recommends for people who do not yet know how to program.
- Move to an introductory Ruby text such as The Little Book of Ruby or I Love Ruby, checking the latter’s Ruby 2.5 examples against the version you are learning.
- Practice by writing small programs and consult the official Ruby documentation when a book’s explanation or example does not match your environment.
If you already know another language
- Use a fundamentals book to learn Ruby’s syntax and core structures.
- Then study idioms and design with a title such as Ruby Best Practices, paying particular attention to blocks, modules, APIs, and DSLs.
- Check the Ruby version used in examples before copying them into a current project.
If you want interpreter internals
Ruby Hacking Guide is a historical study of Ruby 1.7.x–1.8.x internals, not a guide to building current Ruby applications. Its value is understanding an older implementation, rather than providing up-to-date language guidance.
If you want metaprogramming or functional techniques
Ruby Best Practices discusses API and DSL design alongside functional ideas; Kestrels, Quirky Birds, and Hopeless Egocentricity addresses combinatory logic, method combinators, and metaprogramming. Treat these as focused studies rather than first books if you have not yet learned Ruby fundamentals.
Rank #2
How to use older books without mistaking them for current references
Ruby books age at different rates. Ideas such as methods, classes, modules, and control flow can remain useful, while commands, library details, and examples may change. The version distinction is especially clear in this selection: Ruby Hacking Guide covers Ruby 1.7.x–1.8.x, I Love Ruby uses Ruby 2.5 examples, and Ruby-lang.org highlights Programming Ruby 3.3 as updated for Ruby 3.3.
- Look for the edition or Ruby version named by the book or its examples.
- Use official Ruby documentation for details tied to the version installed on your system: Ruby documentation and learning resources.
- When an example fails, check whether the issue is a version difference before assuming the concept is wrong.
- Distinguish online reading from optional print or ebook formats; a paid edition is not a prerequisite when free reading is available.
The official Ruby documentation also lists books including The Well-Grounded Rubyist, Practical Object-Oriented Design in Ruby, Metaprogramming Ruby, and Ruby Under a Microscope. Its older-resources section includes Ruby Essentials, why’s (poignant) Guide to Ruby, Learn Ruby the Hard Way, and the Ruby Programming Wikibook. These are additional official-site resources, not evidence that every one was among LinuxLinks’ 20 selections.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #3
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