The WordPress block editor is where you write and format posts before they go live on your site
The WordPress block editor (also called the Gutenberg editor) is the main tool you use to create and edit posts and pages on a WordPress site. It opens automatically when you click to write something new, and it works by letting you add blocks — chunks of content like paragraphs, images, headings, and buttons — that you stack together to build your post.
You do not need any coding knowledge to use it. Everything happens in one window, and you can see roughly what your post will look like as you type. If you have used Google Docs or Microsoft Word, the block editor will feel familiar, though it works a bit differently because each piece of content is its own block rather than one continuous document.
Key Takeaways
- The block editor opens when you click "Add New" under Posts, and you add content by clicking the plus button to insert blocks of text, images, headings, or other elements.
- Each block can be moved, deleted, or styled independently — you can change the color of one paragraph without affecting others.
- You must write a title and add at least one block of content before you can save or publish your post.
- The Publish button in the top right corner saves your post to the site; Draft saves it without making it visible to readers.
- You can schedule a post to go live at a future date instead of publishing it immediately.
Opening the editor and adding your first block
Log into your WordPress site and click Posts in the left menu. Then click the blue Add New button at the top. The editor will open in a new window with a blank title field at the top and a large empty area below it where you write.
Click in the title field and type the name of your post. This is what readers will see as the headline, and it is required before you can save anything. After you type the title, click in the empty area below and start typing your first paragraph. WordPress automatically creates a paragraph block around your text.
To add a different type of content — a heading, an image, a list, or a quote — click the plus button that appears to the left of any block or between blocks. A menu will pop up showing all the block types available. Click the one you want, and a new empty block appears ready for your content.
Moving, copying, and deleting blocks
Each block has a toolbar that appears when you click on it. On the left side of that toolbar are six dots (called a handle) that let you drag the block up or down to reorder your post. Click and hold those dots, then drag the block to its new position. This is faster than cutting and pasting if you want to rearrange paragraphs or move an image.
To copy a block, click on it and look for the three-dot menu icon in the toolbar. Click it and select Duplicate. A copy appears directly below the original. To delete a block, click it and click the trash icon in the toolbar, or use the three-dot menu and select Delete.
If you delete something by accident, press Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac) to undo. You can undo multiple steps this way, so do not worry about making mistakes.
Formatting text and adding links
To make text bold, italic, or strikethrough, highlight the words you want to change by clicking and dragging across them. A small toolbar appears above the selected text with formatting buttons. Click Bold (the B icon), Italic (the I icon), or other options to apply the style.
To add a link, highlight the text you want to link from, then click the link icon in the toolbar (it looks like a chain). A box appears where you can paste the web address you want to link to. Type or paste the full URL (for example, https://www.example.com) and press Enter. The text will turn blue and underlined to show it is now a link.
If you want to remove formatting, highlight the text again and click the formatting button to toggle it off. To remove a link, click on the linked text and click the link icon again, then click the X button that appears.
Adding images and other media
Click the plus button to add a new block and select Image from the menu. A dialog box opens with options to upload a new image from your computer, choose one from your media library, or insert an image from a URL. Click Upload to select a file from your computer, then find and open the image you want.
Once the image is in your post, you can click on it to see options for resizing, aligning it left or right, adding a caption, or changing how text wraps around it. The toolbar above the image has buttons for these adjustments. If you want to replace the image with a different one, click the image and look for the three-dot menu to find the replace option.
To add a video, audio file, or document, use the same plus-button method and look for blocks labeled Video, Audio, or File. Each works the same way: click the block type, upload or select your media, and it appears in your post.
Saving your work and publishing
WordPress saves your work automatically as you type, but you should also manually save by clicking the Save draft button in the top right corner. This ensures nothing is lost if your browser closes unexpectedly. A draft is a post that only you can see — readers cannot access it.
When your post is ready to go live, click the blue Publish button in the top right. A panel opens on the right side showing publish settings. Check that the post is set to Public (not Private or Password Protected), then click Publish again to confirm. Your post is now live on your site and readers can see it.
If you want your post to go live at a specific time in the future instead of right now, click the Publish button and look for the option that says "Immediately" or shows a date and time. Click it and set the date and time you want, then publish. The post will stay in draft status until that moment arrives.
Using categories and tags to organize posts
On the right side of the editor, below the Publish button, you will see panels for Categories and Tags. Categories are broad topics (for example, "News" or "Tutorials"), while tags are specific keywords related to your post (for example, "WordPress" or "beginner"). You do not have to use them, but they help readers find related posts on your site.
To add a category, click the Categories panel and check the boxes next to the categories that fit your post. If you need a new category that does not exist, click Add New Category and type the name. To add tags, click in the Tags field and type a tag name, then press Enter. You can add as many tags as you want, separated by pressing Enter after each one.
Categories and tags also help search engines understand what your post is about, so using them consistently makes your site easier to navigate and discover.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if I cannot find the block I want to add?
Click the plus button and type the name of the block you are looking for in the search box that appears. For example, type "button" to find the Button block, or "columns" to find the Columns block. If you still cannot find it, your WordPress site may not have that block installed, and you may need to ask your site administrator to add it.
Can I change the look of my post after I publish it?
Yes. Click on the post title in the Posts menu to open it in the editor again, make your changes, and click Update instead of Publish. The changes go live immediately. You can edit a post as many times as you want.
What happens if I close the editor without saving?
WordPress saves your work automatically every few seconds, so your draft is not lost. When you return to the editor, your post will be there with all your changes. However, it is still a good idea to click Save Draft manually before you close the window.
How do I add a featured image to my post?
On the right side of the editor, scroll down past the Categories and Tags panels until you see Featured Image. Click it and upload or select an image from your library. This image appears at the top of your post and also shows up when the post is shared on social media or in lists of recent posts.
Can I write in the block editor if I do not know HTML?
Yes. The block editor is designed so you never need to write or see HTML code. Everything is done through buttons and menus. If you want to see or edit the raw HTML, you can switch to Code Editor view, but that is optional and not necessary for basic post writing.