Themewaves
Guide

What WordPress Theme Is That Website Using?

Find a site’s theme, check its fit, and make safe changes to your own.

What WordPress Theme Is That Website Using?

What a WordPress theme does

A WordPress theme sets much of a website’s look and layout. It can shape page templates, menus, fonts, colors, and post design. Your pages and posts usually stay in WordPress when you change themes. The theme is the design layer, not the whole site.

So, what is a WordPress theme in everyday terms? It is a set of files and settings that tells WordPress how to display your content. Two sites can use the same theme and still look quite different. Their owners may use different page blocks, colors, and theme settings.

If you wonder, “what WordPress theme is it?” or “what WordPress theme is that?”, start by checking whether the site uses WordPress. A theme detector can only name a WordPress theme when it finds clues to support that result. A custom theme may not appear in public theme lists.

Theme details can help when you like a site’s layout or want to learn how it was built. Treat the result as a clue, not a full account of the site. A detector may miss a child theme or name its parent theme instead. It may also miss a renamed or custom theme.

How to identify a WordPress theme

First ask, “does this site use WordPress?” Look for common WordPress paths in the page source, such as wp-content or wp-includes. These paths often point to WordPress files. Still, site owners can hide or change them.

You can check page source without installing software. Open the site, use your browser’s view-source option, then search for wp-content/themes. The folder name after that path may show the active theme. This method can fail if the site masks its file paths.

Try a theme detector if you want a faster check. A what WordPress theme detector tool scans a public web address for theme and plugin clues. Results vary by tool and site setup. Plugin lists can be incomplete, so confirm any key detail with the site owner or theme maker.

Use this basic process:

  1. Copy the full website address from your browser.
  2. Open a theme detector in another tab.
  3. Paste the address into its scan field.
  4. Start the scan and review the theme name and maker.
  5. Check the theme maker’s site or the WordPress theme directory.

If the scan finds nothing, check the address and try the home page. You can also scan a page with the layout you want to study. A blank result does not prove the site is not built with WordPress. The site may use a custom build or block access to useful clues.

Theme detection has limits. The tool might report a parent theme while a child theme controls the visible design. It may also list plugins that are inactive. Use results as leads, then check with the theme maker before you buy or install a theme.

Graphite magnifying glass and crimson notebook on a clean white surface
Inspecting a website theme

How to pick the right WordPress theme

To pick a WordPress theme, start with the job your site must do. A shop needs clear product pages, while a portfolio needs strong work samples. List the pages you need before you browse demos. This keeps a polished preview from distracting you from real site needs.

Check the theme on both a phone and a desktop. Menus, buttons, and page columns should remain easy to use on small screens. Look for clear type and useful page layouts. A simple theme can be easier to run and keep fast.

Check support, updates, and fit with your setup. Make sure the theme works with your WordPress version and key plugins. A shop theme, for example, should work with the store plugin you plan to use. Recent updates and clear support terms are useful signs.

Free themes can suit a small site or a new project. Paid themes may include more layouts, help, or built-in features. Should you buy a WordPress theme? Pay only for features you need, and compare the price with the work needed to build those pages yourself.

The WordPress theme directory lists free themes and links to details from their makers. Check features, user feedback, and update notes there. For paid themes, read the maker’s terms and refund rules before you buy.

Popular options serve different needs. Astra and Kadence offer flexible layouts for many kinds of sites. GeneratePress focuses on a light, simple setup. Divi includes a visual page builder, while Storefront is made for WooCommerce shops. Check current features and costs with each maker.

To learn how to buy a WordPress theme, use the official directory or the theme maker’s own store. Check what the price covers, such as updates, support, and use on more than one site. Download the theme from a trusted source. Avoid copied theme files that may carry harmful code.

Blank website design cards and a crimson sample tile arranged for theme selection
Choosing a website theme style

How to modify a WordPress theme safely

You can modify a theme through the WordPress editor, its settings panel, or a page builder. The controls vary by theme. Start with colors, fonts, menus, and page layouts. Change one setting at a time, then check the page on a phone and computer.

For code edits, use a child theme. It keeps your changes apart from the parent theme’s files. A parent theme update can overwrite edits made directly to its files. Use built-in settings when they meet your needs.

Before you change themes, make a backup. If you can, test the switch on a staging copy first. Check the home page, posts, forms, menus, and shop pages after the change. You may need to set menus and page templates again.

To load a WordPress theme, open the dashboard and go to Appearance, then Themes. Choose Add New to find a theme in the directory, or upload a trusted theme file. Preview the theme before you activate it. The exact menu names can vary by WordPress setup.

Theme options are often under Appearance, but some themes add their own settings page. If you ask, “where is theme options in WordPress?”, check the dashboard menu and the theme maker’s help pages. A block theme may use the Site Editor for layout and style changes.

Renaming a theme is not the same as changing its display name. The name may appear in the theme’s details and file headers, while its folder name can affect the site setup. Do not rename theme files on a live site without a backup and a clear reason. Ask the theme maker or a developer if you need a rebrand.

Do not steal a paid theme or copy another site’s theme files. Use a lawful copy from its maker, or choose a free theme with terms that fit your needs. If you like another site’s look, use its design as inspiration and build your own version with licensed tools.

Common questions about WordPress themes

What is my WordPress theme?

In your WordPress dashboard, open Appearance and then Themes. The active theme is marked there. You can also check the site’s page source for theme folder clues.

What is the easiest WordPress theme to use?

There is no single easiest theme for every site. Choose one with the layouts you need, clear settings, and support that suits your skill level.

What should I look for in a WordPress theme?

Check mobile layout, update history, support, and fit with your plugins. Also review its price and the pages it can build.

What WordPress theme should I use for affiliate marketing?

Choose a theme that loads quickly and makes reviews and product links easy to read. Check that it works with your chosen plugins and disclosure tools.

Can I tell which theme a website uses every time?

No. A detector can miss custom themes, hidden file paths, or renamed folders. Treat its result as a useful clue, not a sure answer.

Frequently asked questions

How can I find out what WordPress theme a website uses?
Run the site address through a theme detector or search its page source for wp-content/themes. Both methods can miss custom or hidden themes.
Does a theme detector show every plugin on a site?
No. It may find some public plugin clues, but its list can be incomplete or include inactive plugins.
How do I choose the right WordPress theme?
Start with your site’s needs, then check mobile layouts, updates, support, and plugin fit. Pick a theme with features you will use.
How do I change a WordPress theme safely?
Back up your site, then test the new theme if you can. Check key pages and menus after the switch.
Should I use a child theme for WordPress changes?
Use a child theme for code edits that must stay after parent theme updates. Built-in theme settings are safer for simple style changes.
Share XFacebookWhatsApp

Related reading

About cookies on this site

Essential cookies keep pages loading and the enquiry form working. Anything beyond that is optional and we only set it if you say yes. Details live in our Cookie Policy.