How to Add Categories in WordPress

What WordPress categories do

To add categories in WordPress, open a post and use the Categories box, or visit Posts > Categories in your dashboard. Categories group related posts under broad topics. They help readers find content and give your site a clearer structure.

Think of categories as the main shelves in a library. A cooking site might use “Recipes,” “Kitchen Tips,” and “Meal Plans.” Tags work more like specific details, such as “pasta” or “cast iron.” Use categories for broad groups and tags for narrower topics.

WordPress treats categories as a taxonomy, or a way to sort content. A post can have more than one category, but a short list is easier to use. For most posts, choose one main category and add another only when it helps readers browse.

• Category: a broad topic that can group many posts.
• Tag: a specific detail that may link posts across categories.
• Subcategory: a child category nested under a broader parent.

Add a category while writing a post

You can add categories to WordPress as you write or edit a post. In the editor, find the Categories panel, often shown in the right-hand settings area. Check a category to assign it to the post. You can select more than one.

To make a new category from the post editor, choose “Add New Category” in that panel. Enter a clear name, then select a parent category if you want it nested. Confirm the change, then save or publish the post.

New posts may start with a default category, often named “Uncategorized.” Change that default in the post settings, or create a better fit under Posts > Categories. Before publishing, check the category box so the post does not stay in a catch-all group.

1. Open a new post or edit an existing one.
2. Expand the Categories panel in the editor.
3. Select an existing category or add a new one.
4. Choose a parent if the new category belongs beneath another.
5. Save the post and check its category on the published page.

Create and manage categories in the dashboard

For a full category list, go to Posts > Categories in the WordPress dashboard. Enter a name and, if useful, a short slug. A slug forms part of the category page address, so keep it brief and easy to read.

Use the Parent Category menu to build a hierarchy. For example, “Travel” could be a parent, with “City Breaks” and “Road Trips” beneath it. This structure helps visitors browse a large site without turning every topic into a top-level choice.

The category screen also lets you edit names, slugs, and parent links. You can remove categories you no longer use. WordPress does not delete posts when a category is removed; those posts move to the default category. Review that default before cleaning up.

Plan the structure before creating many categories. A small blog may need only four or five main groups. A larger site can use child categories where they make browsing clearer, but avoid making deep nests that are hard to scan.

Show categories in your WordPress menu

A menu can make key category pages easy to reach. In many themes, open Appearance > Menus, choose the Categories panel, select the categories, and add them to the menu. Drag items to set their order or nest a child category beneath a parent.

Some newer block themes use the Site Editor instead of the classic Menus screen. Open Appearance > Editor, select the Navigation block, then add a category link. The exact steps can vary by theme, but the goal is the same: link visitors to useful topic pages.

Keep the main menu focused. Feature only categories that matter to a broad share of readers. If you have many topics, show the main groups in the menu and let category pages or a sidebar handle narrower choices.

After changing the menu, view the site on both a phone and a desktop. Check that the labels fit, the order makes sense, and each link opens the right category archive. A clean menu can cut down the effort needed to find related posts.

Use categories with care

Give each category a clear purpose and a name visitors will understand. Avoid near-duplicates such as “News,” “Latest News,” and “Updates” unless they serve distinct needs. Similar labels can split related posts and make the site feel less organized.

As a rule of thumb, assign one to three categories to a post. One is often enough. Add a second or third only when the post genuinely belongs in those groups. Too many choices can blur the topic and create clutter in menus and archives.

Keep category names stable as your site grows. If you rename one, check its menu links and any links you shared elsewhere. WordPress may update the category address when its slug changes, so test the archive after edits.

Review your category list every few months. Look for empty groups, overlapping topics, and posts filed under the wrong heading. A short review can keep the structure useful without a large redesign.

• Use broad labels for categories and precise details for tags.
• Keep most posts to one, two, or three categories.
• Use parent and child groups only when they make browsing easier.
• Remove empty or duplicate groups with care.

Make category pages useful for search and readers

WordPress creates an archive page for each category. That page can gather related posts and help visitors explore a topic. Give categories names that match the content, and make sure each group has enough useful posts to support browsing.

Some themes show only a category title above the archive. Others let you add a description through Posts > Categories. A short, helpful description can explain what belongs in the group. Avoid repeating the same text across several category pages.

Categories alone do not guarantee better search rankings. Their main value is a clear site structure and useful paths between related posts. Keep category archives easy to reach, avoid thin or empty groups, and make sure each post sits in the most fitting place.

For the WordPress category settings and their fields, see the official WordPress Categories screen documentation. It explains how to add, edit, and remove categories in the dashboard.

Categories apply to posts by default, not standard pages. If you need categories for pages, a plugin or custom site setup may add that feature. First check whether the content belongs in a post instead. Posts already support categories and appear in category archives.