How to Make an HTML5 Game (Browser Loop, 2026)

Creating an HTML5 game involves four key components: an index.html host page, a JavaScript module that manages the game loop, a folder containing sprites and audio files, and a static ZIP file that can be opened in a browser tab. The essence of an HTML5 game is a plugin-free canvas arcade, built using HTML/CSS/JS to draw on a canvas.

This same bundle can be used to create a mobile HTML5 game, with the addition of a viewport meta tag and web app manifest. When exporting the game for platforms like itch.io, the game is simply packaged as a ZIP file containing the index.html file.

The game loop is straightforward and requires only a few steps. First, read input, which involves updating a keys object based on keydown and keyup events, as well as handling mobile pointer events. Next, update the game objects by advancing them according to their velocity multiplied by the time since the last frame, applying gravity, and resolving any collisions. Finally, draw the game state on the canvas, which involves clearing the canvas and drawing each sprite at its correct position.

Once the game loop is established, there are a few key principles to keep in mind. The draw function should never change the game state, while the update function should never modify the DOM. Instead, maintain a plain state object, a keys map, and a reference to the canvas context (ctx). The update function should read the keys and update the state, while the draw function should read the state and paint it onto the canvas.

A common mistake to avoid is sizing the canvas with CSS alone, as this can cause the bitmap to stretch and become distorted. Instead, use the canvas' width and height attributes for sizing. Finally, remember that HTML5 game features like Canvas, Web Audio, and localStorage are stable across browsers, and platforms like itch.io, GitHub Pages, and Netlify offer free hosting for static folders.