Are the Korean Lessons on HowtoStudyKorean Free?

Yes. The site states that its lessons "will always be free," and each lesson is built around a consistent set of free materials: 20–30 vocabulary words, grammar explanations matched to the level, and audio recordings of every Korean word and sentence. The lessons are organized into Units, each containing 25 lessons, 3 quizzes, and a unit test, running from Unit 0 (learning to read) through Unit 9 (expert grammar). So if your goal is to work through a structured Korean curriculum without paying, the core path is available at no cost.

The practical question is less "is it free?" and more "what is free, and what might cost money?" The site separates its core lessons from supplementary material, and at least one supplement — the Conjugate buttons — has a purchase page. That means you should treat "free lessons" and "everything on the site is free" as two different claims.

What the free lessons include

According to the site, every lesson follows the same base structure:

• 20–30 vocabulary words per lesson
• Grammar explanations tailored to that specific level, using the vocabulary from the lesson
• Audio recordings of every Korean word and sentence

The full lesson sequence is divided into Units of 25 lessons each, with 3 quizzes and a Unit Test per Unit:

That structure matters if you're budgeting time rather than money: the free content is not a sample or a trial. It's the whole progression from Hangul to advanced grammar.

Free supplements vs. paid ones

Beyond the lessons, the site lists a long set of additional materials. Some are clearly usable alongside the free lessons; others may involve a purchase, and the site's own pages are the only reliable way to confirm which is which.

Supplements the site describes:

• Workbooks for each lesson with exercises
• A mobile app with vocabulary and sentence quizzes
• Audio files for every word and sentence
• Hanja lessons on the root meanings of words
• Short stories for reading practice
• Simple vocabulary lists
• Anki packages for digital flashcards
• Vocabulary lists showing how each word is used
• Conjugate buttons showing how every verb and adjective is conjugated (completed through Lesson 75)
• Word searches
• Paperback and Kindle versions of the lessons
• Theme lessons on specific subjects

The Conjugate buttons link to a purchase page, so that feature is the clearest example of a supplement that may not be free. Paperback and Kindle versions are physical/digital books, which are normally paid products. For everything else on that list, check the individual page before assuming it's free — the site's blanket statement covers the lessons, not necessarily every extra.

Who this fits

This setup suits you if:

• You want a full, ordered grammar curriculum rather than scattered videos
• You're on a tight budget and can accept that some extras may cost money
• You prefer reading explanations plus audio over pure app-based drilling

It may not suit you if you want a single app that handles everything with no ambiguity about what's included, or if you specifically need the conjugation tool and don't want to pay for it.

How to verify before committing

1. Open the lesson list and start with Unit 0. If the reading lessons and their audio load without a paywall, the free core is working as described.
2. Pick any lesson in Unit 1 and check that the vocabulary, grammar explanation, and audio are all present.
3. Before relying on a supplement, open its page directly and look for a purchase link or price — the Conjugate buttons page is the model here.
4. If you plan to use the mobile app or Anki packages heavily, confirm their terms separately, since the site's "always free" statement is attached to the lessons.

The short version: you can learn Korean from this site start to finish without paying, as long as you're working from the lessons themselves. Budget for the possibility that specific tools and books cost extra, and check each one rather than assuming.