Free website templates come in two kinds: HTML templates you download and host yourself, and templates inside website builders that you edit in your browser. HTML templates give you full control but need a little technical know-how, while builder templates are easier but tie you to that builder. Check each template's licence before you launch.
A good template saves days of design work. You get a layout that already looks professional, and you spend your time on the words and photos that make the site yours.
Here are ten places to find free website templates, in no particular order and sorted alphabetically. Several are HTML template libraries for people comfortable with code, and the rest are website builders with free templates you can edit without touching code.
The right choice depends on who'll maintain the site. If you'll never edit code, a builder template is the safer route. If a developer is helping, an HTML template gives them more freedom.
Whichever way you go, the licence matters. Free doesn't always mean free of conditions, as the next section shows.
Free website template sources compared
In the free plan column, Yes means the site's own pages describe free access, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated there. Free access often comes with limits, so check what's included before you rely on it.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| BootstrapMade | HTML template library | Bootstrap templates for business sites | Yes |
| Carrd | One-page site builder | Simple one-page sites | Yes |
| Colorlib | Template library | A mix of free HTML templates | Yes |
| Framer | Website builder | Design-led templates you edit visually | Yes |
| HTML5 UP | HTML template library | Responsive templates under an open licence | Yes |
| Start Bootstrap | Theme library | Bootstrap themes and admin dashboards | Yes |
| Templatemo | HTML template library | Simple HTML and CSS templates | Yes |
| ThemeWagon | Template library | Free Bootstrap templates by category | Yes |
| Webflow | Website builder | Free templates in a visual builder | Yes |
| Wix | Website builder | Easy templates for non-technical owners | Yes |
Ten places for free website templates
BootstrapMade
Best for: Developers building a business or portfolio site on Bootstrap who want a ready-made starting point.
Carrd
Best for: Creators and freelancers who need a simple one-page site, such as a profile or a launch page.
Colorlib
Best for: Designers who like browsing a large mix of free HTML templates in different styles.
Framer
Best for: Designers who want polished templates they can edit visually and publish quickly.
HTML5 UP
Best for: Developers who want clean, responsive HTML templates under a clear open licence.
Start Bootstrap
Best for: Developers who need a free Bootstrap theme or an admin dashboard layout.
Templatemo
Best for: Beginners who want simple HTML and CSS templates that are easy to read and edit.
ThemeWagon
Best for: Developers who like browsing free Bootstrap templates by category, from restaurants to portfolios.
Webflow
Best for: Small teams who want free templates in a visual builder with room to grow.
Wix
Best for: Business owners with no coding skills who want to pick a template and start editing.
The credit rule hidden in free template licences
Here's the catch that trips people up. HTML5 UP's licence page says its templates are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License, which means you can use them for personal and commercial projects and change them however you like. In exchange, it asks you to give it credit for the design.
So deleting the credit link in the footer isn't a harmless tidy-up. Many free templates work the same way, and the licence is usually linked at the bottom of the download page. Read it before you launch, and keep the credit in place unless the licence says you can remove it.
HTML template or builder template?
- Who edits the site: builders suit owners, HTML suits developers.
- Hosting: HTML templates need hosting, builders include it.
- Flexibility: HTML gives full control over every line.
- Moving later: builder templates usually stay inside that builder.
- Licence: check whether you must keep a credit link.
From template to live website
- Write your page list and main message before choosing a design.
- Pick a template whose layout matches your pages, not just its colours.
- Replace every demo image and placeholder line with your own.
- Check the site on a phone, a tablet and a laptop.
- Read the licence, keep any required credit, then publish.
Making the template work harder
A template gives you the look, but your landing pages do the selling. If you're weighing up tools for that part, here's my guide to landing page builders.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
And once the site is live, read how to convert website visitors into customers, because a pretty template won't do that on its own.
Do you make website templates or site builders? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on free templates
Choose a template for its structure, not its photos. The demo images will go, but the layout stays, so make sure it fits the pages you need.
And spend the time you've saved on your words. A free template with clear copy will win more customers than a beautiful design with vague headlines.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get free website templates?
HTML template libraries and website builders both offer free templates.
Are free website templates safe to use?
Templates from known libraries are safe. Avoid files from unknown sites that bundle extra downloads.
Can I use a free template for a business site?
Often yes, but check the licence, as some ask you to keep a credit link.
Do I need to credit a free website template?
Some licences require it. Check the licence before removing any footer credit.
What's the difference between an HTML template and a builder template?
An HTML template is files you host yourself. A builder template lives inside a website builder.
Do I need coding skills to use a free template?
Not for builder templates. HTML templates need basic HTML and CSS knowledge.
Are free templates mobile-friendly?
Most modern templates are responsive, but test on a phone before you launch.
Can I move a builder template to another platform?
Usually not. Builder templates tend to stay inside the builder you chose.
Will a free template hurt my SEO?
Not by itself. Clear content, fast pages and good structure matter far more.
Can I change the colours and fonts of a template?
Yes. Both HTML and builder templates let you change colours and fonts.
How do I choose the right template?
Match the layout to your page list and main message, then worry about colours.
Are there free templates for one-page sites?
Yes. Some builders specialise in simple one-page sites.
