How to install a WordPress theme

Your theme controls how your site looks. Install thousands of free themes — or upload one you bought — from the dashboard.

Install a free theme

  1. In wp-admin, go to Appearance → Themes and click Add New.
  2. Browse or search, hover a theme and click Install.
  3. Click Activate to make it live.

Upload a premium theme

  1. On the Add New page, click Upload Theme.
  2. Choose the theme's .zip file, click Install Now, then Activate.

Tips

Preview before activating, and customise under Appearance → Customize. Changing the theme of a live site? Do it during quiet hours and check your pages afterwards. Stuck? We're happy to help.

Was this answer helpful?

 Print this Article

Also Read

How to install WordPress

WordPress is the most popular way to build a website, and you can install it in a few clicks with...

How to log in to your WordPress dashboard

The WordPress dashboard (wp-admin) is where you manage your site — pages, posts, themes, plugins...

How to reset your WordPress admin password

Locked out of WordPress? Use WordPress's own email reset first. If that email cannot reach you,...

How to keep WordPress updated

Keeping WordPress, your theme and plugins up to date is the single most important thing you can...

How to install a WordPress plugin

Plugins add features to WordPress — contact forms, SEO, security, shops and much more. Here's how...