More than 40% of all websites around the internet are based on WordPress. Version 6.0 arrives with improved block themes for easier website building and customization, alongside numerous stability and performance enhancements.

We like to say that WordPress is both free and priceless at the same time. The core software is built by hundreds of community volunteers, and when you're ready for more there are thousands of plugins and themes available to transform your site into almost anything you can imagine.

To run WordPress we recommend your host supports:

  • PHP version 7.4 or greater.
  • MySQL version 5.7 or greater OR MariaDB version 10.3 or greater.
  • HTTPS support

That's it. We recommend Apache or Nginx as the most robust server for running WordPress, but any server that supports PHP and MySQL will do.

Features

Building with Blocks

The new block-based editor won't change the way any of your content looks to your visitors. What it will do is let you insert any type of multimedia in a snap and rearrange to your heart's content. Each piece of content will be in its own block; a distinct wrapper for easy maneuvering. If you're more of an HTML and CSS sort of person, then the blocks won't stand in your way. WordPress is here to simplify the process, not the outcome.

Freedom to Build, Freedom to Write

This new editing experience provides a more consistent treatment of design as well as content. If you're building client sites, you can create reusable blocks. This lets your clients add new content anytime, while still maintaining a consistent look and feel.

Designed for the block editor

Twenty Nineteen features custom styles for the blocks available by default. It makes extensive use of editor styles throughout the theme. That way, what you create in your content editor is what you see on the front of your site.

Simple, type-driven layout

Featuring ample whitespace, and modern sans-serif headlines paired with classic serif body text, Twenty Nineteen is built to be beautiful on the go. It uses system fonts to increase loading speed. No more long waits on slow networks!

Versatile design for all sites

Twenty Nineteen is designed to work for a wide variety of use cases. Whether you're running a photo blog, launching a new business, or supporting a non-profit, Twenty Nineteen is flexible enough to fit your needs.

Protect

Blocks provide a comfortable way for users to change content directly, while also ensuring the content structure cannot be easily disturbed by accidental code edits. This allows the developer to control the output, building polished and semantic markup that is preserved through edits and not easily broken.

Compose

Take advantage of a wide collection of APIs and interface components to easily create blocks with intuitive controls for your clients. Utilizing these components not only speeds up development work but also provide a more consistent, usable, and accessible interface to all users.

Create

The new block paradigm opens up a path of exploration and imagination when it comes to solving user needs. With the unified block insertion flow, it's easier for your clients and customers to find and use blocks for all types of content. Developers can focus on executing their vision and providing rich editing experiences, rather than fussing with difficult APIs.

What's New

24.1

This security and maintenance release features 5 bug fixes on Core, 16 bug fixes for the Block Editor, and 2 security fixes.

  • Because this is a security release, it is recommended that you update your sites immediately. Backports are also available for other major WordPress releases, 4.1 and later.

WordPress 6.4.3 is a short-cycle release. The next major release will be version 6.5 planned for 26 March 2024. You can review a summary of the maintenance updates in this release by reading the Release Candidate announcement. For further information on this release, please visit the HelpHub site.

Security updates included in this release

  • The security team would like to thank the following people for responsibly reporting vulnerabilities, and allowing them to be fixed in this release:
  • m4tuto for finding a PHP File Upload bypass via Plugin Installer (requiring admin privileges).
  • @_s_n_t of @pentestltd working with Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative for finding an RCE POP Chains vulnerability.

Previous Release Notes:

Say hello to WordPress 6.2 "Dolphy," named for the woodwind jazz wiz, the multi-instrumentalist - Eric Allan Dolphy Jr. Dolphy is acclaimed for having brought the bass clarinet to prominence in the jazz scene, creating a place for the flute and extending the lexicon of the alto saxophone. In a career that spanned continents, his artistry was at the forefront of pushing improvisational boundaries, ensemble work, and partnerships with well-respected artists like Charles Mingus and John Coltrane.

This latest version of WordPress reimagines your site editing experience, introduces more ways to style your site, and offers a new distraction-free way to write. Discover improvements that give you more control and freedom to express your creative vision. There's something for everyone, whether you're a content creator, developer, site builder, or designer. Let the music of Eric Dolphy delight you as you take in all that 6.2 has to offer.

WordPress 6.2 is the first major release of 2023, covering over 900 enhancements and fixes. It's also a transition point in the WordPress project's development roadmap, shifting focus from customization to early exploration of workflows and collaboration.

Meet the reimagined Site Editor

Ready for you to dive in and explore: 6.2 is your invitation to discover what the next generation of WordPress - and block themes - can do.

Now out of beta, the Site Editor has an updated interface, giving you a new way to interact with your entire site. Explore full previews of your templates and template parts, then jump in and get to editing your site from wherever you choose.

Manage menus in more ways with the Navigation block

Add, remove, and reorder menu items faster - with a new sidebar experience that makes editing your site's navigation easier.

Discover a smoother experience for the Block Inserter

A refreshed design gives you easier access to the content you need. Use the Media tab to quickly drag and drop content from your existing Media Library. Find patterns faster with a split view that lets you navigate categories and see previews all at once.

Find the controls you want when you need them

Your block settings sidebar is better organized with tabs for Settings and Styles. So the tools you need are easy to identify and access.

Build faster with headers and footers for block themes

Discover a new collection of header and footer patterns. Use them with any block theme as a quick, high-quality starting point for your site's templates.