Knowing your WordPress version is essential for maintaining a secure, well-functioning website. Whether you’re troubleshooting issues, ensuring plugin compatibility, or planning updates, this information helps you make informed decisions about your site’s management.
Regular version checks become particularly important when security vulnerabilities are discovered or when you’re considering new plugins that require specific WordPress versions. Many website owners overlook this simple step, yet it can prevent compatibility issues and security risks down the line.
This guide walks you through five straightforward methods to find your WordPress version, from quick dashboard checks to more technical approaches. Each method serves different situations, so you’ll have options regardless of your current access level or technical expertise.
Method 1: Check Your WordPress Dashboard
The fastest way to find your WordPress version is through your admin dashboard. This method works when you have full admin access to your website.
Log into your WordPress admin area and navigate to the Dashboard > Home section. Look for the “At a Glance” widget on your main dashboard screen. Your WordPress version appears at the bottom of this widget, typically displayed as “WordPress X.X.X.”
If you don’t see the “At a Glance” widget, it might be hidden or removed. Click on “Screen Options” at the top of your dashboard page and make sure the “At a Glance” checkbox is selected.
Alternative Dashboard Location
You can also find version information by going to Dashboard > Updates. The current version displays prominently at the top of the page, along with information about available updates.
Method 2: View Page Source
When you can’t access your WordPress dashboard, checking the page source provides a reliable alternative. This method works from any page on your WordPress website.
Right-click anywhere on your website’s homepage and select “View Page Source” (or press Ctrl+U on Windows, Cmd+Option+U on Mac). Once the source code opens, use Ctrl+F (Cmd+F on Mac) to search for “wp-content/themes” or “generator.”
Look for a line that resembles:
<meta name="generator" content="WordPress 6.3.2" />
The number following “WordPress” is your current version. Keep in mind that some websites remove this generator tag for security reasons, so this method won’t work in all cases.
Method 3: Check the readme.html File
WordPress includes a readme.html file in every installation that contains version information. This file remains accessible even when dashboard access is limited.
Open your web browser and navigate to your website’s URL followed by “/readme.html” (for example: yoursite.com/readme.html). The first line of this file displays your WordPress version clearly.
This method works reliably because the readme.html file updates automatically with each WordPress update. However, some security-conscious website owners delete this file, so it may not always be available.
Method 4: Use FTP or File Manager
For users with hosting account access, checking files directly through FTP or your hosting provider’s file manager offers another reliable option.
Through File Manager
Log into your hosting control panel and open the file manager. Navigate to your website’s root directory (usually public_html or www). Look for the version.php file in the root folder.
Open version.php and find the line that looks like:
$wp_version = '6.3.2';
The number in quotes represents your WordPress version.
Via FTP
Connect to your server using an FTP client like FileZilla. Navigate to your WordPress installation directory and download the version.php file. Open it with any text editor to find the version information in the same format described above.
Method 5: WordPress CLI Command
If you have command-line access to your server and WordPress CLI installed, you can check your version instantly with a simple command.
Access your server through SSH and navigate to your WordPress installation directory. Run the following command:
wp core version
This command returns your current WordPress version immediately. For more detailed information, including database version and available updates, use:
wp core version --extra
WordPress CLI provides the most comprehensive version information and works particularly well for developers managing multiple WordPress installations.
Why Knowing Your WordPress Version Matters
Understanding your WordPress version helps with several important aspects of website management. Security updates often target specific version ranges, making it crucial to know whether your site needs immediate attention.
Plugin and theme compatibility frequently depends on WordPress version requirements. Before installing new functionality, developers specify minimum WordPress versions needed for proper operation. Checking compatibility prevents broken features and potential site crashes.
Troubleshooting becomes more effective when you know your WordPress version. Support forums, documentation, and help requests often require this information to provide accurate solutions. Many fixes are version-specific, so this detail speeds up problem resolution significantly.
Keeping Your WordPress Updated
Once you’ve identified your WordPress version, compare it with the latest available release on WordPress.org. Running outdated versions exposes your site to security vulnerabilities and limits access to new features.
WordPress automatically handles minor updates (like 6.3.1 to 6.3.2), but major updates (like 6.3 to 6.4) require manual approval. Before updating, always backup your website and test updates on a staging environment when possible.
Consider enabling automatic updates for a more hands-off approach, but monitor your site closely after any changes. Some plugins or custom code might conflict with newer WordPress versions, requiring adjustments after updates.
Final Thoughts on WordPress Version Management
Checking your WordPress version takes just a few minutes but provides valuable information for maintaining a healthy website. Whether you use the dashboard method for quick checks or prefer command-line tools for detailed information, regular version monitoring keeps you informed about your site’s current state.
Make version checking part of your regular website maintenance routine. Combined with consistent backups and security monitoring, this simple practice helps ensure your WordPress site remains secure, functional, and up-to-date with the latest features and improvements.
