Easy Ways to Determine Your WordPress Version

Ever wondered which WordPress version your website is running? Whether you’re planning an update, troubleshooting an issue, or ensuring your site’s security, knowing your WordPress version is essential. Even a small detail like this can impact how your plugins work and help you avoid compatibility problems.

In this article, we’ll guide you through quick and simple ways to find your WordPress version. You’ll get clear steps, practical tips, and handy insights to keep your site running smoothly.

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How to Determine Your WordPress Version: A Complete Guide

Knowing which version of WordPress your website is running can be crucial for troubleshooting, security, compatibility, and simply keeping your site up to date. Fortunately, checking your WordPress version is quite straightforward. Whether you’re a site owner, developer, or someone troubleshooting for a client, there are several reliable methods to determine the current WordPress version.

Below, you’ll find detailed instructions, helpful tips, and best practices to make this process easy and efficient.

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Why Knowing Your WordPress Version Matters

Before we jump into the “how,” let’s touch on the “why.” Understanding your WordPress version is important because:

• Security: Outdated versions may have vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.
• Compatibility: Themes and plugins often require minimum WordPress versions to function properly.
• Support: Many troubleshooting guides and instructions are specific to certain WordPress releases.
• Site Performance: Updates may bring speed improvements and new features.

Now, let’s explore the most common and effective ways to find out your WordPress version.

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1. Checking the WordPress Version from the Admin Dashboard

The easiest and most reliable way to find your WordPress version is directly from your website’s backend.

Steps:

1. Log in to Your WordPress Admin Area
2. Visit your site’s admin login page (usually at /wp-admin).
3. Look for the Version Number
4. On most WordPress installations, your version number is displayed in the bottom-right corner of the dashboard, known as the footer.
5. Check the ‘Updates’ Section
6. Go to “Dashboard” > “Updates”. Here you’ll see your current version and whether an update is available.
7. Visit the ‘At a Glance’ Widget
8. On the main Dashboard page, look at the “At a Glance” widget. It usually lists your WordPress version at the bottom.

Benefits:

• Easy to access: No coding or technical knowledge required.
• Most accurate: Retrieves information directly from the system.

Tips:

• If you don’t see the version in your dashboard’s footer, try expanding the screen or checking the ‘At a Glance’ box—it sometimes varies depending on your theme or dashboard widgets.
• Some WordPress themes or security plugins may hide version details for security reasons.

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2. Using the Page Source or Meta Tag (Frontend Method)

If you can’t access the admin area, you might still be able to find the version from the website’s public-facing side.

Steps:

1. Open the Website in a Browser
2. Navigate to the homepage (or any page) of the WordPress site.
3. View the Page Source
4. Right-click anywhere on the page and select “View Page Source” or press Ctrl + U (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Option + U (Mac).
5. Search for the Version Meta Tag
6. Use the search function (Ctrl + F or Cmd + F) and type generator.

7. Look for a line like:
   “`html

   “`

Benefits:

• No login needed: Great for checking any WordPress site, even if you don’t own it.
• Quick and simple: No technical process involved.

Challenges:

• Many site owners and security plugins remove or hide the WordPress version meta tag for safety.
• Relying on meta tags is less accurate if these have been removed or altered.

Expert Tip:

• If you’re running a site, consider hiding your version info from public view to reduce security risks. But always keep your version visible to yourself via the admin dashboard.

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3. Checking Version in the readme.html File

WordPress includes a file named readme.html in its root directory, which often displays the version used during installation.

Steps:

1. Go to the readme.html File
2. Append /readme.html to your site’s base URL (e.g., yourwebsite.com/readme.html).
3. Look for the Version Statement
4. If present, this page will show your WordPress version near the top.

Benefits:

• Quick and direct: No need for admin access.
• Works remotely: Useful for checking sites you don’t own.

Challenges:

• Many hosts and security-focused setups remove or restrict access to readme.html.
• If you can’t find the file or get a “404 not found” message, the file may have been deleted.

Best Practice:

• For better security, it’s advisable to delete readme.html or restrict public access after installing WordPress.

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4. Finding the Version Inside Version.php

If you have access to your site’s files (via FTP, cPanel, or hosting file manager), you can always check the version.php file. This method is particularly handy if the dashboard is inaccessible.

Steps:

1. Open Your Site’s File Manager
2. Login to your hosting control panel, FTP client, or file manager.
3. Navigate to wp-includes
4. Go to the wp-includes/ directory within your WordPress installation.
5. Locate and Open version.php
6. Find and open the version.php file.
7. Scan for the Version Constant
8. Search for a line like:
   php
$wp_version = '6.x.x';

Benefits:

• Always available: Unless restricted, the file is always present.
• Accurate and up-to-date: Directly reflects the current installation.

Challenges:

• Requires file access; not suitable if you don’t have FTP or hosting credentials.
• Changing files without knowing what you’re doing could cause site problems, so browse with caution.

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5. Other Ways to Find the WordPress Version

While the above are the most popular methods, there are a few more you might occasionally find helpful:

• WP-CLI: For developers comfortable with command-line tools, using WP-CLI to run wp core version directly in your website’s root directory will reveal the current version instantly.
• Plugin Pages: On some setups, certain plugin pages or about pages may also display the version.
• Sitemap or RSS Feed: Occasionally, version numbers are found in feed footers or sitemap outputs.

Keep in mind, however, that many modern themes and plugins now hide or obscure version details to enhance security.

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Practical Tips and Advice

• Always Keep WordPress Updated: Upgrades usually include important security fixes and performance improvements.
• Hide Version Number from the Public: Reduce your site’s vulnerability by removing version info from source code and files.
• Backup Before Upgrading: Always perform a full site backup before updating WordPress or any plugins/themes.
• Monitor Compatibility: When planning a major upgrade, verify that your plugins and themes are compatible with the new WordPress version.
• Use Security Plugins: Many security plugins help hide version numbers and patch common vulnerabilities.

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Troubleshooting Challenges

If You Can’t Find the Version:

• Custom Dashboards: Some themes or plugins may remove or relocate the version info in the dashboard.
• No File Access: You may lack FTP or host control panel access on managed hosting.
• Cleaned Meta Tags: Security-conscious sites may scrub the generator meta tag and delete the readme.html file.
• Locked Out: If your site is down or you’re locked out of the admin area, file access or command-line methods become vital.

Solution:

• Contact your host or site administrator for access or updates.
• Use multiple methods from above to cross-check the version information if you’re unsure.
• Always prioritize security when exposing any system details.

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Cost Tips

Finding your WordPress version is generally free and doesn’t involve any extra expenses. All the described methods use built-in WordPress features or standard tools provided by most hosting services.

• Avoid paying for unnecessary plugins or software just to find out your version.
• Choose hosting plans that include file manager or FTP access; this is helpful for many troubleshooting tasks, including version checking.
• Leverage free support: Many hosting providers have guides or tech support who can quickly tell you your WordPress version if you’re unsure.

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Conclusion

Determining your WordPress version is simple and can be accomplished through several reliable methods, whether you’re an experienced web designer or a site owner just getting started. The admin dashboard remains the most user-friendly and secure way to check, but if that’s inaccessible, examining the site’s source code or critical files are solid alternatives.

Staying aware of your WordPress version keeps your site secure, compatible, and performing at its best. Remember to update regularly and follow best security practices to ensure your website remains safe for you and your visitors.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the easiest way to check my WordPress version?
The quickest way is through your site’s admin dashboard. Just log in, and you’ll usually see the version in the bottom-right corner or in the ‘At a Glance’ widget on your dashboard page.

2. Can I check the WordPress version without logging in?
Yes, sometimes you can find the version in the site’s HTML source via the meta generator tag or from the readme.html file. However, many sites hide this info for security reasons.

3. Why is the WordPress version meta tag missing from my site’s source code?
It’s becoming common to remove the generator meta tag to prevent exposing site details to potential attackers. Site owners often use plugins or custom code to hide this information.

4. Will updating WordPress break my plugins or theme?
Most plugin and theme developers keep their software compatible with the latest WordPress versions. Still, it’s best to check compatibility and back up your site before updating to avoid conflicts.

5. Is there a way to find the WordPress version through my hosting account?
If your hosting provides file access (like cPanel or FTP), you can open the wp-includes/version.php file and find the version listed there. Many hosts also offer support that can help you find this information.

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Keeping track of your WordPress version is one small detail that can make a big difference in your site’s health and security. Use the method that feels easiest for you, and don’t hesitate to ask for help if needed!