How to choose and install themes on WordPress

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18

Quick Answer

Choose WordPress themes by browsing the official repository or third-party marketplaces, then install them through your admin dashboard by uploading the theme files or searching the built-in directory. Always preview themes and check compatibility before activating.

Try WordPress Full WordPress Review

Prerequisites

WordPress admin access
Basic understanding of website appearance
Active WordPress site
Backup of current site recommended

Step-by-Step Instructions

Access the WordPress Theme Section

Log into your WordPress admin dashboard and navigate to Appearance > Themes. This will show you your currently installed themes, including the active theme marked with a checkmark.

Take a screenshot of your current theme settings before making changes

Browse Available Themes

Click Add New at the top of the themes page. You can browse Featured, Popular, or Latest themes, or use the search bar to find specific themes. Use the Filter button to narrow results by layout, features, or subject.

Look for themes with high ratings and recent updates for better security and compatibility

Preview and Evaluate Themes

Hover over any theme and click Preview to see how it looks with your content. Check the theme's Details & Preview for compatibility with your WordPress version, last update date, and user reviews. Ensure it includes features you need like responsive design, custom menus, and widget areas.

Test the preview on different screen sizes using your browser's developer tools

Install Your Chosen Theme

Once you've selected a theme, click Install while hovering over it. WordPress will download and install the theme automatically. You'll see a progress indicator and confirmation message when installation is complete.

Install Premium or Custom Themes

For themes from third-party sources, click Upload Theme at the top of the Add Themes page. Click Choose File, select your theme's .zip file, then click Install Now. Wait for the upload and installation to complete.

Only download themes from reputable sources to avoid security issues

Activate Your New Theme

After installation, click Activate to make the theme live on your site. You can also navigate to Appearance > Themes, find your newly installed theme, and click Activate from there.

Visit your site's frontend immediately after activation to check for any display issues

Customize Your Theme

Go to Appearance > Customize to access the theme customizer. Here you can modify colors, fonts, layouts, menus, and widgets. Most themes include specific customization options in this panel. Click Publish to save your changes.

Use the preview feature in the customizer to see changes before publishing them live

Configure Theme-Specific Settings

Check if your theme added new menu items under Appearance or Settings. Many themes include additional options panels, demo content importers, or required plugins. Install any recommended plugins and configure theme-specific features as needed.

Read your theme's documentation for specific setup instructions and feature explanations

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Theme installation fails or times out

Check your server's file upload limits and increase them if necessary. Try uploading via FTP to /wp-content/themes/ folder, or contact your hosting provider about upload restrictions.

Website looks broken after theme activation

Go to Appearance > Themes and reactivate your previous theme. Clear any caching plugins, then try the new theme again. Check if the theme requires specific plugins or PHP version.

Theme features or customizations not working

Ensure all required plugins are installed and activated. Check Appearance > Customize for theme-specific settings. Some themes require initial setup or demo content import to function properly.

Cannot find uploaded theme in themes list

Verify the uploaded file was a complete theme (contains style.css and index.php). Check if you uploaded a .zip file containing another .zip file - extract and upload the inner theme folder instead.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official WordPress website before purchasing.

Visit WordPress View WordPress Pricing