WordPress has undergone a major shift with the introduction of block themes, changing the way users design and customize their websites. If you’ve been working with WordPress for a while, you may be familiar with classic themes, but how do they compare to the new block-based approach?
In this installment of Green Closet Creative’s Mastering Blocks series, we’ll talk about what a block theme is, the benefits of using one, and how to tell if you’re using a block theme.
What is a Block Theme?
A block theme is a modern WordPress theme built entirely around blocks and Full Site Editing (FSE). Instead of relying on PHP templates and the Customizer, everything is managed through site editor and theme.json.
Block themes use block templates (such as index.html and single.html) instead of traditional PHP files to structure content. Unlike classic themes, they no longer rely on the Customizer for settings; instead, all global styles and configurations are managed through the theme.json file.
Benefits of Using a Block Theme
Block themes embrace a no-code approach. Because they offer a fully visual editing experience through Full Site Editing (FSE), you can customize headers, footers, and templates without touching code. With global styles managed via theme.json, you can control colors, typography, and spacing site-wide for a consistent design. Block themes also improve performance by reducing reliance on custom PHP and extra scripts, leading to faster load times. Additionally, block patterns and reusable blocks streamline page building, making it easier to create cohesive layouts in the editor and visually throughout your website.
Do I Have a Block Theme?
Check out this video from learn.wordpress.org to find out how to quickly determine the type of theme your WordPress website is using:
Looking Forward
Both classic themes and block themes have their place in WordPress, but block themes represent the future of WordPress development. Whether you’re a developer or a site owner, learning how block themes work will ensure you stay ahead in the evolving WordPress ecosystem.Stay tuned for our next installment in the Mastering Blocks series, as we continue to explore WordPress’s most powerful tools and techniques!