How to Find WordPress Version: Quick & Simple Methods

Ever wondered which version of WordPress your website is running? Whether you’re troubleshooting an issue, considering an update, or installing new plugins, knowing your WordPress version is key. Using the right version ensures compatibility, security, and smoother site management.

In this article, you’ll discover several easy ways to find out your WordPress version. We’ll guide you step by step, offer helpful tips, and explain what to do once you know your version. Let’s get started!

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How to Find Your WordPress Version: A Complete Guide

Knowing your WordPress version is essential for maintaining site security, compatibility with themes and plugins, and ensuring the best performance. Whether you’re troubleshooting, updating plugins, or double-checking features, finding your WordPress version is quick and easy. This comprehensive guide walks you through several reliable methods, offers practical advice, and shares best practices to help you stay on top of your WordPress site maintenance.

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Why Knowing Your WordPress Version Matters

Before diving into the “how,” let’s briefly discuss the “why.” Understanding your current WordPress version offers several benefits:

• Security: Outdated versions can have vulnerabilities.
• Compatibility: New plugins or themes may only work with updated versions.
• Support: Many solutions require you to mention your specific version.
• Feature Awareness: Stay updated on the latest features and improvements.

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4 Easy Ways to Check Your WordPress Version

There are multiple methods to find your WordPress version. Some require admin access, while others allow you to check from the frontend or backend files. Here are the most common and effective ways:

1. Check from the WordPress Admin Dashboard

The simplest and safest method if you have site admin access.

Steps:

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Look at the bottom-right corner of the dashboard homepage (the main screen after you log in). Here, you’ll often see the version number.
3. Alternatively, click on “Dashboard” > “Updates.” The top of this screen displays your current WordPress version.

Tip: The “At a Glance” widget on the Dashboard may also show your version number.

Benefits

• Quick and straightforward.
• No need to access files or code.
• Safe for all skill levels.

Potential Challenge

• Requires admin access.

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2. Via Source Code on the Frontend

If you don’t have admin access, you can sometimes find the version in your site’s source code.

Steps:

1. Visit the homepage of your WordPress site.
2. Right-click anywhere on the page and choose “View Page Source” or press Ctrl+U (Cmd+U on Mac).
3. Use the search feature (Ctrl+F or Cmd+F) and type “generator.”
4. Look for a meta tag like this:
   “`html

“`
The number reveals your version.

Benefits

• No need for login credentials.
• Useful for quickly checking any WordPress site.

Challenges

• Many sites hide this meta tag for security reasons.
• May not always be available, especially on well-secured environments.

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3. Check the “version.php” File

If you have access to your site files via FTP or a file manager (like cPanel), you can directly view the version in the code.

Steps:

1. Connect to your site via FTP or your control panel’s file manager.
2. Navigate to the “/wp-includes/” directory.
3. Locate the “version.php” file.
4. Open the file and find a line like:
   php
$wp_version = '6.3.1';
   Here, 6.3.1 is your current WordPress version.

Benefits

• Always accurate.
• Works even if admin dashboard is broken.

Challenges

• Requires FTP or file manager access.
• Some comfort with file navigation is helpful.

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4. Using Command Line (WP-CLI)

For advanced users or hosting environments with WP-CLI (WordPress Command Line Interface) installed:

Steps:

1. Log into your server via SSH.
2. Navigate to your WordPress root directory.
3. Run this command:
   wp core version
4. The command will return your installed WordPress version.

Benefits

• Lightning-fast for those familiar with command lines.
• Ideal for advanced site management and automation.

Challenges

• Only available on servers with WP-CLI installed.
• Requires basic command line knowledge.

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Tips and Best Practices for Managing Your WordPress Version

Knowing your current version is just one part of site health. Here are some expert tips:

• Update Regularly: Always keep your WordPress core, plugins, and themes updated. Updates fix bugs, patch vulnerabilities, and add new features.
• Backup Before Updating: Always back up your website before making major updates.
• Test Changes on Staging: If possible, use a staging environment to test updates before applying them to your live site.
• Hide Version for Security: Consider hiding your WordPress version from the source code to reduce the risk of targeted attacks.
• Monitor Plugins and Themes: Make sure your add-ons are compatible with your WordPress version, updating them as needed.

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Common Challenges When Finding WordPress Version

While the process is mostly straightforward, you might encounter a few roadblocks:

• No Admin Access: If you can’t log into the dashboard, use the code or file methods.
• Security Plugins: Some security plugins hide version information for extra protection.
• FTP/File Access Issues: You may need to request permission from your hosting provider if you’re unable to reach backend files.

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Additional Ways to Check

If the main methods don’t work, here are a few alternatives used by experienced developers and site administrators:

• browser “ReadMe” File: In rare cases, visiting yoursite.com/readme.html can reveal the WordPress version. However, it’s often removed for security.
• Developer Tools & Plugins: Some plugins display version details and even alert you of outdated versions. Always use reputable plugins from trusted sources.
• REST API: Visiting yoursite.com/wp-json may provide clues about the version, but this is not always available or enabled.

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WordPress Version and Site Security

Exposing your WordPress version can be a slight security risk. Hackers sometimes target known vulnerabilities in specific versions. Here’s what you can do:

• Hide Version Info: Many security plugins can hide the WordPress version from your site’s source code and output files.
• Keep Updated: Security issues are fixed in the latest versions—don’t delay updates.
• Regular Audits: Periodically review your site for publicly available version info.

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Best Practices for Updating Your WordPress Version

1. Backup Your Site: Always create a full backup before any updates.
2. Check Plugin/Theme Compatibility: Review changelogs to ensure your add-ons will work with the new version.
3. Update in Staging First: Test updates in a non-public test environment.
4. Schedule Updates Smartly: Update during low-traffic hours to minimize disruption.
5. Enable Auto-Updates: For most sites, enabling automatic updates for minor releases is recommended.
6. Monitor Site After Update: Check your site thoroughly after an update for any unexpected issues.

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A Note on Costs and Updates

Most methods of checking your WordPress version are completely free. No paid tools are needed.
However, if you’re using managed WordPress hosting, some premium hosts offer better tools for updates and version checks as part of their packages. Always factor in hosting quality and support when considering overall site costs.

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Summary

Checking your WordPress version is a quick and crucial step in maintaining site health, ensuring compatibility, and boosting security. Whether you’re managing your own blog or overseeing several client sites, getting familiar with the different ways to check your version can save you time and prevent headaches.

Remember to keep your WordPress core, themes, and plugins up to date, and always take precautions when making changes. Protect your version info where possible, schedule regular backups, and use the best practices outlined above to run a safer, smoother site.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Where is my WordPress version number displayed in the dashboard?
In the dashboard, you can often find your WordPress version number in the bottom-right corner of the main admin screen, in the “At a Glance” widget, or at the top of the “Dashboard > Updates” page.

2. What should I do if I can’t see the version in the source code?
If the version isn’t visible in the site’s source code, it’s likely been hidden for security. In that case, try checking via the admin dashboard, “version.php” file, or using WP-CLI if you have access.

3. Is it safe to display my WordPress version publicly?
It’s generally a good idea to hide your WordPress version to reduce security risks. Many attacks target known vulnerabilities in specific versions. Security plugins can help remove version info from your site’s output.

4. How can I update my WordPress version safely?
Backup your site first, ensure all plugins and themes are compatible, test updates on a staging environment if possible, then update during low-traffic periods.

5. What if I’m using WordPress.com (not self-hosted)?
If you’re on WordPress.com, you typically don’t need to check or manage updates—these are handled automatically. The version info might not be directly accessible or relevant for most users on this platform.

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With these techniques and best practices, you can easily keep track of your WordPress version and stay ahead with site updates and security. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced webmaster, taking these small steps can make a big difference in your website’s health and performance.