If you’ve browsed WordPress themes recently, you’ve probably seen “block theme” or “Full Site Editing” in the descriptions. It’s one of the biggest changes to how WordPress themes work in years, and it affects how you edit your header, footer, templates and styles.
Short answer: a classic WordPress theme builds pages from PHP template files and is customised through the Customizer, widgets and menu screens. A block theme builds every part of the site, including the header, footer and templates, from blocks, and is customised visually in the Site Editor (Appearance > Editor), with global styles controlled by a theme.json file. Block themes give non-developers far more design control; classic themes remain common and can be the better fit for some sites and plugins.
A quick history
WordPress introduced the block editor (often called Gutenberg) for posts and pages in version 5.0. Full Site Editing, which brought blocks to entire site templates, arrived with WordPress 5.9 along with the first default block theme, Twenty Twenty-Two. Since then, each default theme has been a block theme, and the Site Editor has kept gaining features.
How classic themes work
A classic theme is a set of PHP files: header.php, footer.php, single.php, page.php and so on. WordPress picks the right file for each page using the template hierarchy.
- Customisation: through Appearance > Customize, Widgets and Menus.
- Layout changes: often need code, a child theme or a page builder.
- Content: posts and pages can still use the block editor.
How block themes work
A block theme uses HTML template files made of blocks, stored in a templates folder, plus template parts (such as header and footer) in a parts folder. A theme.json file defines global settings and styles: colors, typography, spacing and layout widths.
- Customisation: in the Site Editor (Appearance > Editor), where you edit templates, template parts, navigation, patterns and global styles visually.
- Styles: global styles and style variations let you change the look of the whole site from one panel.
- Patterns: reusable groups of blocks you can insert anywhere, and synced patterns that update everywhere at once.
Side-by-side comparison
| Classic theme | Block theme | |
|---|---|---|
| Templates | PHP files | HTML files made of blocks |
| Customisation screen | Customizer, Widgets, Menus | Site Editor and Styles |
| Editing header and footer | Usually theme options or code | Visually, as template parts |
| Global styles | Customizer options or CSS | theme.json and the Styles panel |
| Widgets | Widget areas | Replaced by blocks in templates |
| Menus | Appearance > Menus | Navigation block |
| Developer skills needed for layout changes | PHP and CSS | Mostly none; HTML and JSON for theme development |
| Plugin compatibility | Very broad, long history | Broad, though some older plugins assume classic features |
Pros and cons
Block theme pros
- Edit every part of the site visually, without code
- Consistent design through global styles and theme.json
- Patterns speed up page building
- Often lighter, because layout comes from core blocks rather than heavy theme frameworks
- Aligned with where WordPress development is heading
Block theme cons
- A learning curve if you’re used to the Customizer
- Some older plugins and tutorials assume classic theme features
- Very custom designs can still need developer help
Classic theme pros
- Mature, familiar and widely documented
- Huge choice of themes and tutorials
- Broad compatibility with older plugins and page builders
Classic theme cons
- Changing headers, footers and templates often needs code or a page builder
- Design settings are scattered across several screens
- Can rely on heavy page builders for flexibility
Hybrid themes
Some themes sit in between. A classic theme can include a theme.json file to control editor styles, and can support block template parts or block patterns while still using PHP templates. These “hybrid” themes are a common bridge for theme developers moving toward blocks.
How to tell which type you have
- If Appearance > Editor appears in your dashboard menu, you’re using a block theme.
- If you see Appearance > Customize and Widgets instead, you’re using a classic theme.
Note that some block themes still show a Customize link in specific situations, so the Editor menu item is the clearer signal.
What changes for everyday site owners
If you run a small business site rather than build themes, the practical differences show up in a few routine tasks:
- Changing your header or menu: in a block theme, open Appearance > Editor, select the header template part and edit it like any other block content. In a classic theme, you’ll usually use Appearance > Menus and theme options in the Customizer.
- Adding a sale banner across the site: in a block theme, add it once to the header template part. In a classic theme, this often means a widget area, a plugin or custom code.
- Updating brand colors and fonts: in a block theme, change them once in the Styles panel and the whole site follows. In a classic theme, it depends on what options the theme provides.
- Creating a landing page layout: block patterns let you drop in pre-designed sections, such as a hero, a pricing table or testimonials, then edit the content.
In short, a block theme moves most design decisions from code into the editor, which is why it suits owners who like to make their own changes.
Which should you choose?
Choose a block theme if:
- You’re starting a new site
- You want to edit your header, footer and layouts yourself
- You value a consistent design system and speed
- You plan to use mainly core blocks and well-maintained plugins
Choose a classic theme if:
- Your site depends on a plugin or page builder that works best with classic themes
- You’re maintaining an existing classic site that works well
- Your developer has built a custom classic theme for you
Switching from classic to block
Your posts, pages and products stay the same when you change themes, but anything tied to the old theme, such as widgets, Customizer settings or theme-specific shortcodes, may need to be rebuilt. Always test on a staging site first. Our WordPress theme checklist for small businesses covers what to check before switching.
Looking for a modern design? Browse our WordPress themes and check each listing to see whether it’s a block or classic theme.
FAQ
Is a block theme better than a classic theme?
Not automatically. Block themes offer more visual control and are where WordPress is heading, but a well-built classic theme can still be the right choice, especially for sites that rely on classic-only plugins.
Can I use WooCommerce with a block theme?
Yes. WooCommerce provides blocks for product pages, the cart and checkout, and many block themes include WooCommerce templates. Check that your chosen theme styles shop pages well.
Do block themes need a page builder?
No. Block themes are designed to be edited with the core Site Editor and blocks, so a separate page builder is usually unnecessary.
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