Quick answer
- The easiest way: go to Appearance → Themes → Add New Theme, search for a free theme, click Install, then Activate.
- For a premium theme, download its .zip file and use the Upload Theme button on the same screen.
- You can also upload a theme folder by FTP/SFTP to wp-content/themes, but that’s rarely needed.
- Preview a theme before activating it, and back up your site before switching themes on a live site.
Installing a WordPress theme takes about a minute. There are three ways to do it, depending on whether the theme is free from WordPress.org or bought from a theme shop.
Method 1: Install a free theme from your dashboard
- In your WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance → Themes.
- Click Add New Theme.
- Search by name, or browse Popular, Latest or Block Themes, and use the filters.
- Hover over a theme and click Preview to see it with your content.
- Click Install, then Activate.
Method 2: Upload a premium theme
- Download the theme’s .zip file from the seller’s website. Don’t unzip it.
- Go to Appearance → Themes → Add New Theme.
- Click Upload Theme, choose the .zip file and click Install Now.
- Click Activate. Enter your license key if the theme asks for one, so you get updates.
If you get an error that the file is too large, ask your host to raise the upload limit, or use Method 3.
Method 3: Install a theme with FTP/SFTP
- Unzip the theme on your computer.
- Connect to your site with an FTP/SFTP app or your host’s File Manager.
- Upload the theme folder to wp-content/themes.
- Go to Appearance → Themes and activate it.
After installing a theme
- Set your logo, colors and fonts in the Customizer or the Site Editor. See our guide to customizing your theme.
- Import a starter template if your theme offers one.
- Check your site on a phone.
- Delete themes you don’t use, but keep one default theme as a backup.
Need a theme? See the best WordPress themes and the best free WordPress themes.
Install WordPress theme FAQs
Go to Appearance → Themes → Add New Theme in your dashboard.
Download its .zip file, then use Upload Theme on the Add New Theme screen.
Often because the file is too large or you uploaded the wrong .zip. Check the seller’s instructions or ask your host to raise the upload limit.
No. Posts and pages stay, but your layout, menus and widgets may need adjusting.
On WordPress.com, premium theme installation is available from the Personal plan up.
Yes, but keep one default WordPress theme as a backup.
