The WordPress block editor is the default tool for writing posts and pages

When you log into WordPress and click to create a new post, you land in the block editor — a visual workspace where you write, format, and organize content without touching code. It works by building your post from blocks: a block might be a paragraph of text, a heading, an image, a list, or a button. You add blocks one at a time, arrange them in order, and WordPress handles the formatting automatically.

The block editor replaced the older "classic editor" in WordPress 5.0 and is now the standard. If you have used Google Docs or Canva, the concept will feel familiar — you see what you are writing as you write it, and formatting happens through buttons and menus rather than code.

Key Takeaways

  • The block editor opens when you click "Add New" under Posts, and you write by adding blocks of content one at a time.
  • Each block has its own formatting options: paragraphs can be bold or italic, headings can be different sizes, images can be resized and aligned.
  • The left sidebar shows all your blocks in order, and you can drag them to rearrange your post without retyping anything.
  • You must set a title, add at least one block of content, and click "Publish" before your post appears on your site.
  • If the block editor feels unfamiliar, you can install the Classic Editor plugin to return to the older writing interface.

Finding the editor and starting a new post

Log into your WordPress dashboard — the admin area where you manage your site. On the left sidebar, hover over or click "Posts" and select "Add New". The block editor opens in the center of your screen.

At the top, you see a field that says "Add title". Click it and type your post title. This is required before you can publish. Below that is a blank area with the text "Start writing or type / for commands" — this is where you add your first block.

Adding and formatting text blocks

Click in the blank area and start typing. As soon as you type the first character, WordPress creates a paragraph block. Type your opening paragraph normally — you do not need to do anything special. When you finish the paragraph and press Enter twice, WordPress creates a new paragraph block below it, ready for your next text.

To format text within a paragraph, select the words you want to change by clicking and dragging over them. A toolbar appears above the selection with buttons for bold, italic, strikethrough, and a link icon. Click the button for the style you want. If you want to change the text color or background color, click the three dots on the toolbar to see more options.

To turn a paragraph into a heading, click the paragraph block and look at the toolbar above it. You see a dropdown that says "Paragraph" — click it and choose "Heading 1", "Heading 2", or "Heading 3". Heading 1 is the largest and usually used for main section titles. Heading 2 is smaller and works for subsections. Heading 3 is smallest.

Adding images, lists, and other block types

To add an image, click where you want it to go and press the forward slash key (/). A menu appears showing all available block types. Type "image" and click the image block, or click it directly. WordPress opens a dialog where you can upload a new image from your computer, search your media library for an image you have already uploaded, or paste a link to an image elsewhere on the web.

To create a bulleted or numbered list, press / and search for "list". Click "List" and WordPress creates a list block. Type your first item and press Enter to add the next item. Press Enter twice to exit the list. If you want bullets instead of numbers, click the list block and use the toolbar to switch between bullet and number style.

Other common blocks include Quote (for indented, highlighted text), Separator (a horizontal line to break up sections), and Buttons (clickable links styled as buttons). Press / to see the full menu of available blocks. You do not need to use all of them — most posts use only paragraphs, headings, images, and lists.

Arranging and deleting blocks

On the left side of the editor, you see a list of all your blocks in order. Each block shows a small preview of its content. To move a block, click and drag it up or down in this list. The block moves to its new position in your post when ready.

To delete a block, click it in the main editor area or in the left list, then press the Delete key on your keyboard. You can also click the three dots that appear when you hover over a block and select "Delete" from the menu. Deleting a block removes it permanently, but you can undo by pressing Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac).

Saving and publishing your post

WordPress saves your work automatically as you type — you do not have to do anything. You see a "Saving" indicator near the top of the editor that disappears once the save is complete. This means you can close your browser or step away without losing your work.

When your post is finished, click the blue "Publish" button in the top right corner. A panel opens asking you to confirm. You can set the post to publish when ready, schedule it for a future date, or keep it as a draft (unpublished). Choose your option and click "Publish" again. Your post is now live on your site and visible to anyone who visits.

If you want to save your post without publishing it yet, click "Save draft" instead. Draft posts do not appear on your site — only you can see them in the dashboard. You can return to a draft anytime to keep editing.

Switching to the classic editor if you prefer

If the block editor does not suit your workflow, WordPress offers the Classic Editor plugin, which returns the older writing interface. To install it, go to "Plugins" in the left sidebar and click "Add New". Search for "Classic Editor" and click "Install Now", then "set up". Once activated, the block editor is replaced with the classic editor for all new posts.

The classic editor looks more like a word processor — a single text area with a toolbar above it for formatting. You write in one continuous space rather than building blocks. Some people find it faster for long-form writing. You can switch back to the block editor anytime by deactivating the plugin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo changes after I publish?

Yes. Click the post title to open it for editing, make your changes, and click "Update". Your changes appear on the live site when ready. WordPress keeps a revision history, so you can also click "Revisions" to see older versions of the post and restore one if needed.

How do I add a featured image?

On the right side of the editor, you see a panel labeled "Post". Scroll down to "Featured image" and click "Set featured image". Upload or select an image from your library. This image appears at the top of your post and in post listings on your site.

What if I want to write in HTML code instead?

Click the three dots in the top right corner of the editor and select "Code editor". This shows the raw HTML of your post. You can edit it directly if you know HTML. Click the three dots again and select "Visual editor" to return to the block view.

Can I reuse the same block layout on multiple posts?

Yes. After you finish a post with a layout you like, click the three dots on any block and select "Copy". In a new post, click / and search for "Reusable block", then paste. You can also save entire post layouts as templates through the block library, though this requires more advanced setup.

Why does my post look different on my phone than in the editor?

The editor shows a desktop view by default. Click the device icon in the top right (it looks like a phone or tablet) to preview how your post appears on mobile. Responsive design means WordPress automatically adjusts block widths and spacing for smaller screens, so mobile may look narrower or have different spacing than the editor.