Identifying the WordPress version of a site is crucial for various purposes, such as safety assessments and compatibility tests. While there are tools that can simplify this task, understanding the manual ways is also beneficial.
1. Through the WordPress Dashboard
If you have the ability to access the WordPress dashboard, this is the easiest method:
- Sign in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Proceed to the "At a Glance" section.
- The WordPress version will be shown here.
2. Checking the README.html File
WordPress provides a README.html file that typically mentions the version:
- Launch a browser and go to "yourwebsite.com/README.html".
- If it exists, the version will be prominently displayed.
3. Inspecting Version in Source Code
WordPress sites often incorporate meta tags in their source code which show the version:
- Right-click on the website and choose "View Page Source".
- Use the search function (Ctrl + F) to find "generator". If located, you'll notice a meta tag similar to
<meta name="generator" content="WordPress 5.7" />. - The version will be found in the "content" attribute.
4. Utilizing WP-CLI
If you have command-line access to a WordPress setup, you can employ WP-CLI (WordPress Command Line Interface):
- Open your command prompt or SSH into your server.
- Type in
wp core versionand hit Enter. - WP-CLI will present the version.
5. Reviewing the Stylesheet Headers
The standard WordPress themes often include the version in their stylesheet headers:
- Browse to "yourwebsite.com/wp-content/themes/default/style.css".
- Look for "Version" in the file's commentary. The succeeding version will be your WordPress version.
To gain a deeper understanding of WordPress versions and why they matter, contemplate visiting this official guide on WordPress versions.