Ever found yourself admiring a stunning website and wondering, “What WordPress theme is that?” You’re not alone—choosing the right theme is one of the most important decisions when building your site. The theme shapes your website’s look, feel, and functionality, making it crucial for branding and user experience.
In this article, we’ll demystify what a WordPress theme is, why it matters, and how to find and choose the perfect one for your needs.
What WordPress Theme? How to Find Out What Theme a Website Uses
When you land on a beautifully designed WordPress site, it’s natural to wonder: “What WordPress theme is this?” Maybe you’re looking for inspiration for your own website. Or perhaps you’re a developer tasked with replicating a particular look and need to know the tools behind the scene. Luckily, figuring out which theme a WordPress site is using is often easier than you might think!
In this article, you’ll discover comprehensive ways to identify a WordPress theme, practical tools and techniques, tips to avoid common stumbling blocks, and expert advice for your own theme selection journey.
Understanding WordPress Themes
A WordPress theme is a collection of files that determine the look, layout, and often the functionality of a WordPress website. Themes control elements like:
- Color schemes
- Fonts and typography
- Page structure and templates
- Menu placement
- Widgets and sidebars
Choosing the right theme can transform a plain site into something remarkable or, at the very least, perfectly tailored for its audience.
The Big Question: What WordPress Theme Is That Website Using?
When you see a WordPress-powered website with a design you love, there are several ways to find out which theme powers it.
The process typically involves:
- Running the website through a WordPress theme detector tool.
- Manually inspecting the website’s code.
- Searching for theme-related information in the site’s footer or source code.
- Recognizing popular themes by sight and research.
Let’s break down each approach so you can try them yourself.
Step-by-Step: How to Detect a WordPress Theme
1. Use an Online WordPress Theme Detector Tool
The easiest way, especially for beginners, is to use an online theme detector tool. These services scan any WordPress site and attempt to extract the active theme’s name. Many also list the plugins used.
How Theme Detector Tools Work
- You simply enter the website address (URL) into the tool.
- The tool analyzes the website’s publicly available files and metadata.
- The theme name (and sometimes details like the author, version, and demo link) is displayed.
Advantages
- Fast and convenient—no technical knowledge needed.
- Many tools are completely free.
Limitations
- Not all detectors can uncover themes behind heavily customized or child themes.
- Some websites hide theme information for privacy or branding reasons.
2. Manually Check the Website’s Source Code
A little technical, but very reliable. With just your browser, you can often spot clues about which theme is in use.
Steps:
- Visit the site you’re examining.
- Right-click anywhere on the page and choose “View Page Source” or “Inspect.”
- Search (using CTRL+F or CMD+F) for “wp-content/themes/”.
- Within the source code, look for lines like:
wp-content/themes/theme-name/
The folder name after /themes/ is typically the theme’s name.
What You’ll Find
- The main theme’s folder name (which often matches the purchased or downloaded theme’s name).
- Sometimes child themes are used (like
twentytwentyone-child), which means the parent template is the theme being referenced.
Benefits
- Works even if online tools miss the theme.
- Good for discovering if the theme is a framework or a heavily edited original.
Challenges
- Child themes may obscure the original theme.
- Developers sometimes obfuscate theme names to protect branding or for security.
3. Look for Theme Name in the Footer
Some theme creators require attribution; you’ll often see “Powered by [Theme Name]” in the website’s footer.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page.
- Look for any credits or theme mentions.
- Note the theme or designer—sometimes, this leads straight to the source.
4. Recognize Popular Themes
With practice, you’ll develop an eye for common WordPress themes and page builders (like Divi, Astra, or Avada). This isn’t foolproof, but it can give you a head start in your investigation.
Benefits of Identifying a WordPress Theme
Why go through the trouble of detecting a theme? Here are a few compelling reasons:
- Inspiration: Discover layouts, color schemes, and features that you can implement.
- Benchmarking: See which themes are popular in your industry or among competitors.
- Save Time: If you find a theme that does exactly what you want, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel.
- Plugin Discovery: Many detectors also list plugins in use, which can supercharge your own site’s functionality.
Challenges You Might Encounter
Sometimes, identifying a WordPress theme isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. Here’s why:
- Child Themes: Many websites use a custom child theme that sits atop a well-known parent theme. The child theme’s name may be unique and not reveal the underlying parent theme.
- Customizations: Some developers heavily modify themes, making it difficult to spot the base theme.
- Hidden/Obfuscated Information: Advanced users may deliberately hide or rename theme folders to prevent copying.
- Site Builders: Some websites are built entirely with page builders or custom frameworks, where the theme is nearly invisible or generic.
Practical Tips and Expert Advice
Successfully finding a theme—and applying your insights—takes a strategic approach. Here’s how to maximize your results.
Be Thorough and Try Multiple Methods
Don’t rely on a single tool or technique. If one does not work, try another. Combining manual inspection with online detectors yields better results.
Understand the Power and Limitations of Page Builders
Themes today often work hand-in-hand with popular page builders like Elementor or WPBakery. Sometimes, the theme itself is just a framework, and all design is handled by the builder.
- Check for signs of page builder classes or assets in the code.
- Knowing the builder used can be as important as the theme.
Evaluate the Theme’s Commercial Status
If you find a premium (paid) theme, consider your budget and needs. Sometimes, high-end custom themes are not publicly available. However, many premium themes have similar free alternatives.
- Consider costs for the theme itself and possible add-ons or demo imports.
- If the theme is custom-made, you may need to contact the designer for licensing.
Don’t Forget About Plugins
Some site features you admire may come from plugins, not the theme. Online detectors often reveal both themes and plugins, so take note of both lists.
Security and Privacy Considerations
Ethical research is key. Only use discovered information for legitimate website inspiration or learning. Avoid copying proprietary content or violating a site’s copyright or brand.
Best Practices: Choosing and Using a WordPress Theme
When you select a theme for your own site, keep these points in mind:
- Performance Matters: Lightweight themes load faster and offer better user experience.
- Responsiveness: Make sure the theme looks good on mobile devices.
- SEO-Friendly: Clean code and SEO-ready structures help your site rank higher.
- Support and Documentation: Good themes have robust documentation and dedicated support.
- Customization Flexibility: Look for themes that offer extensive customizer controls so you don’t need to touch code.
- Page Builder Compatibility: If you plan to use a builder (like Elementor), confirm the theme works seamlessly with it.
Cost Considerations
If you’re considering purchasing a detected theme, keep in mind:
- Free vs. Premium: Many themes offer both free and pro versions—pro adds advanced customization, extra templates, or better support.
- Bundled Plugins: Some premium themes bundle paid plugins, adding value to your purchase.
- Shipping Downloads: As WordPress themes are digital downloads, there’s never a shipping cost involved.
- Licensing: Double-check licenses—some restrict usage to one site, while others offer unlimited or lifetime licenses, affecting your long-term costs.
Common Theme Detector Tools You Can Use
A wealth of reputable tools exist for detecting WordPress themes. Leading options include:
- WordPress Theme Detector: Finds themes and plugins in use on any WordPress site.
- What WordPress Theme Is That?: Quickly reveals a site’s theme and plugin setup.
- WPBeginner’s Tool: Easy for beginners seeking both theme and plugin info.
- Kinsta’s Detector: Known for its speed and accuracy.
- WPDetector: Also tracks down associated plugins.
- WhatTheme: Simple and effective for front-end theme detection.
These tools are designed for user-friendliness—simply input the website and explore the results.
A Word on Site Builders and Custom Solutions
Not every WordPress site makes its theme obvious. Some rely solely on frameworks, custom coding, or integrate site builders in a way that hides the original theme. If traditional detectors fail you, manual code inspection is your friend—or you may need to contact the site owner for more info.
Quick Recap
Identifying a WordPress theme is a smart tactic for inspiration, benchmarking, or learning. While online tools make it easy, manual methods offer a useful backup. Challenges do crop up (customizations, obfuscation), but expert tips and persistence can reveal most themes. Always combine what you learn with ethical practice and informed theme selection for your own projects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I find out which WordPress theme a website is using?
You can use a free WordPress theme detector by entering the website’s URL, or inspect the code manually by searching for “wp-content/themes/” in the site’s source code. Some sites also display the theme name in footer credits.
Can a website hide which WordPress theme it uses?
Yes, some sites hide or rename theme folders, use custom child themes, or employ heavy modifications to make their theme unrecognizable to both detectors and manual inspection.
What if the detected theme is a child theme?
If you find a child theme (e.g., “site-child”), look for references to the parent theme in the code or stylesheet. The parent theme is the main template, while the child theme adds custom tweaks.
Is it safe and legal to copy a website’s theme or design?
Identifying a theme for inspiration or legitimate purchase is fine, but copying proprietary design elements, content, or branding without permission can lead to legal or ethical problems. Always respect copyright.
Are premium WordPress themes worth the price?
Premium themes often include extensive features, customization options, and professional support. They’re a smart investment for most businesses, especially if you want unique layouts, ongoing updates, and solid security.
By following these guidelines, you can uncover the secrets behind any great WordPress site—and make informed choices for your own website projects. Happy exploring!