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Learn WordPress

Build and run a real website, from first post to custom theme.

Free to start. Built from a single prompt. No credit card.

WordPress is open-source software for building websites, from blogs and portfolios to stores and membership sites. It is written in PHP and stores content in a MySQL or MariaDB database. You can self-host the free software from WordPress.org or use a hosted service such as WordPress.com. Content is built with the block editor, design comes from themes, and features come from plugins, so you can build a lot without code and then dig into PHP, hooks and custom themes when you need more. Learnr builds a personalized WordPress course from your prompt and teaches it in short, interactive lessons.

How to learn WordPress, step by step

Practice on a free local site first. Install a local environment such as Local or try WordPress Playground in the browser, so you can experiment and break things without paying for hosting. Reset and rebuild freely until the dashboard feels familiar.
Learn content basics in the block editor. Understand the difference between posts, which are dated and categorized, and pages, which are standalone. Build pages from paragraph, image, columns and button blocks, and save reusable layouts as patterns.
Get comfortable with themes and the Site Editor. Try a default block theme, then edit its header, footer and templates in the Site Editor and set global styles for colors and fonts. Learn the template hierarchy so you know which template displays which kind of page.
Choose plugins carefully. Add only what you need, from well-maintained plugins with recent updates, for forms, SEO, caching and backups. Every extra plugin adds code that must be updated and can slow the site or open security holes.
Secure and maintain the site. Keep core, themes and plugins updated, use strong unique passwords and two-factor login, schedule off-site backups, and set clean permalinks. Test restores, because an untested backup may fail when you need it.
Learn the developer side. Create a child theme, add code with actions and filters in functions.php, and learn The Loop and WP_Query. Use WP-CLI for routine tasks; short Learnr lessons help hook names and PHP basics stick.

What you'll learn

Create posts and pages with the block editor and organize them with menus
Choose, customize and switch themes, including block themes in the Site Editor
Install plugins carefully and configure forms, SEO and caching
Secure, back up and update a WordPress site
Customize behavior with a child theme, hooks and basic PHP

What's inside your WordPress course

A sample path Learnr builds for WordPress. Your real course adapts to your goal and level.

1. WordPress.org versus WordPress.com and setting up a site
2. Posts, pages, media, categories and menus
3. Themes, the Site Editor and block patterns
4. Plugins, settings, permalinks and SEO basics
5. Security, backups, updates and performance
6. Developer skills: child themes, hooks and custom blocks

How long does it take to learn WordPress?

You can launch a simple site with a theme and a few pages in a weekend. Comfortably managing plugins, security and performance takes 2 to 6 weeks of regular use, while theme and plugin development with PHP takes several months, depending on your coding background.

What you need before you start

Nothing for building sites through the dashboard. For customization, learn basic HTML and CSS, and for theme or plugin development add PHP and some JavaScript.

Common mistakes to avoid

Installing dozens of plugins to solve small problems, which slows the site and adds security risk. Remove anything you do not actively use.
Editing a parent theme's files directly, then losing every change on the next theme update. Use a child theme or the Site Editor.
Never updating or backing up. Turn on updates for minor releases, keep off-site backups, and test a restore before you need one.

How Learnr builds your course

Type your topic

Tell Learnr you want to learn WordPress, or get as specific as you like.

Get a personalized course

Learnr instantly builds a full WordPress course tailored to your goal and skill level.

Learn and level up

Move through bite-sized lessons and interactive practice, earning XP and keeping your streak.

WordPress questions, answered

What is the difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com?

WordPress.org offers the free software you install on your own hosting, with full control over themes and plugins. WordPress.com is a hosted service run by Automattic that handles setup and maintenance, with features that depend on the plan.

Do I need to know how to code for WordPress?

Not to build and run a site with themes and plugins. Coding becomes useful for custom designs and features: HTML and CSS first, then PHP for themes and plugins and JavaScript for custom blocks.