Ethereal

Ethereal is a free, responsive HTML5 personal portfolio template designed for photography websites, built on the Skel framework by HTML5 UP and distributed through ThemeWagon.

What is Ethereal?

Ethereal is a lightweight HTML5 portfolio template with a distinctive horizontal page layout. It takes your photos, text, and links and presents them in a single, smoothly scrolling page — no server-side processing required. The template runs entirely in the browser, making it a static-site solution you can host anywhere. It was created by HTML5 UP, a well-known source of open-source CSS/HTML5 templates, and is listed on ThemeWagon with a free download license.

What makes Ethereal stand out?

• Horizontal page layout — Content scrolls sideways instead of vertically, a rare layout that works very well for visual portfolios.
• Smooth scrolling with on-hover scroll — The page includes a "on hover scroll" feature that adds a dynamic feel when navigating sections.
• Fully responsive via Skel framework — Built on the Skel framework, it adapts cleanly to small phones, tablets, notebooks, and desktop monitors.
• Vibrant typography and color palette — Uses Google Fonts and a bright, catchy color combination to grab visitor attention quickly.
• SEO-friendly by default — Includes on-page SEO features so the template is ready to compete in search engine result pages.
• Social media support — Comes with FontAwesome icons for social links, letting visitors find you on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and more.
• Lightweight and fast loading — With no heavy frameworks, the template is extremely light, making it fast to load even on slower connections.
• Browser compatibility — Renders correctly in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari, and mobile browsers.

Who should use Ethereal?

• Photographers — Create a visually rich portfolio to display your best shots in an elegant, scrolling gallery.
• Graphic designers and creative studios — Present design work in a colorful, flat-layout style that emphasizes images over text.
• Web developers — Build a personal portfolio page to show off coding projects; the clean structure is easy to customize with your own work samples.
• Students — Use it as a portfolio template for coursework and personal projects; it's free and simple to host on GitHub Pages or any static host.

What can you do with Ethereal?

• Showcase a photography portfolio: Upload your images and captions into the horizontal layout; visitors scroll through your work smoothly.
• Present a creative studio's services: Use the template's sections to list services, team info, and contact details with a professional look.
• Create a personal resume-style portfolio: Link your social profiles and add an "about" section to tell your story, then share the site with potential clients or employers.

Pricing

Ethereal is completely free. It is open source, allows commercial use, and provides lifetime free updates, according to the ThemeWagon listing.

Alternatives

For similar free portfolio templates from ThemeWagon, you can check out Karmo, Bodo, and JD. These are also free personal portfolio templates offered on the same site.

FAQ

Is Ethereal really free?

Yes, the template is free to download and use. The ThemeWagon listing marks it as open source and permits use in commercial projects, with lifetime free updates.

Does Ethereal work on mobile devices?

Yes. Thanks to the Skel framework, Ethereal is fully responsive. It scales properly to fit small phone screens as well as larger desktop monitors.

Can I customize Ethereal?

Absolutely. The template includes well-commented code and documentation, making it easy for developers to add custom sections, change colors, replace text, and integrate new features.

What license does Ethereal use?

The listing states it is open source with lifetime free updates. You can use it commercially without paying a fee.

I received an error about a missing style.css file — what should I do?

One reviewer reported that the download package was missing a style.css stylesheet. If you encounter this, try re-downloading the latest version from the ThemeWagon page or contact the author (HTML5 UP) for the complete file set.