What is a WordPress Block Theme?
A WordPress Block Theme is a theme that fully supports Full Site Editing (FSE). Unlike traditional themes that rely on the theme customizer and PHP templates, block themes allow users to design and customize their entire website—including headers, footers, templates, and widgets—using the block editor.
Key Features of Block Themes
1. Full Site Editing (FSE)
Difference from Classic Themes
- Classic Themes: Customization is done through the “Theme Customizer” and by manually editing PHP templates.
- Block Themes: Everything (headers, footers, and templates) is managed through the block editor.
2. theme.json for Global Styles
Instead of relying on style.css, block themes use theme.json to manage fonts, colors, layouts, and block styles globally.
Example theme.json
{
"version": 2,
"settings": {
"color": {
"palette": [
{ "name": "Primary", "slug": "primary", "color": "#0073AA" },
{ "name": "Secondary", "slug": "secondary", "color": "#005177" }
]
},
"typography": {
"fontSizes": [
{ "name": "Small", "slug": "small", "size": "14px" },
{ "name": "Large", "slug": "large", "size": "24px" }
]
}
}
}This makes it easy to manage site-wide design settings with a single file.
3. templates/ and parts/ for Template Management
Block themes use a file structure that allows block-based site management.
| Folder | Purpose |
|---|---|
templates/ | Contains page templates (e.g., single.html, archive.html) |
parts/ | Contains reusable components like headers and footers (e.g., header.html, footer.html) |
Advantages of Block Themes
| Advantage | Details |
| No Coding Required | Customize your entire site visually |
| Flexible Templates | Change page layouts easily |
| Minimal CSS Required | Use theme.json instead |
| Improved Performance | Optimized for speed and efficiency |
Disadvantages of Block Themes
| Disadvantage | Details |
| No Compatibility with Classic Themes | Cannot use old PHP templates |
| Learning Curve | Requires familiarity with block-based editing |
| Some Plugins May Not Work | Older plugins may not support block themes |
Popular Block Themes
Default WordPress Block Themes
| Theme Name | Features |
| Twenty Twenty-Three | Simple and customizable |
| Twenty Twenty-Four | Designed for businesses and portfolios |
Popular Free Block Themes
| Theme Name | Features |
| Ollie | Modern design with advanced customization |
| Tove | Fun and colorful aesthetics |
| Aino | Business-friendly, fully responsive |
Comparison: Block Theme vs. Classic Theme
| Feature | Classic Theme | Block Theme |
| Editing Method | Theme Customizer, PHP Editing | Full Site Editing (FSE) |
| Customization | Requires coding | No-code customization |
| Style Management | style.css | theme.json |
| Template Management | header.php, etc. | templates/ + parts/ |
| Scalability | Traditional approach | Highly flexible |
Who Should Use Block Themes?
Ideal for Block Themes
- Those who want to customize the site visually without coding
- Those who frequently change website design
- Those who want to use the latest WordPress features
Classic Themes Might Be Better For
- Those who prefer PHP templates
- Those who rely on old WordPress themes and plugins
- Those who require advanced custom development
Conclusion
Block Themes are the future of WordPress and provide a much more flexible and user-friendly experience compared to classic themes. With Full Site Editing (FSE) becoming the standard, WordPress users can expect block themes to dominate in the coming years.
If you’re starting a new WordPress site, consider using a block theme to take advantage of the latest features!