Quick answer: The WordPress block editor (often called Gutenberg) builds every post and page from blocks — paragraphs, headings, images, buttons, columns, tables and more. Click the + button or type / to add a block, drag or use arrows to move it, and use the right sidebar to change its settings. Use patterns for ready-made layouts and synced patterns for content you reuse on many pages.
The editor screen at a glance
| Area | What it does |
|---|---|
| Top toolbar | Add block (+), undo/redo, List View, preview, save, publish |
| Canvas | Where you write and arrange blocks |
| Block toolbar | Appears above the selected block: formatting, alignment, move, more options |
| Settings sidebar | Post tab (URL, categories, featured image, status) and Block tab (colours, spacing, typography) |
Adding blocks
- Click the + in the top toolbar to browse all blocks and patterns.
- Click the + that appears between blocks to add one in that spot.
- Type / on an empty line, then the block name — for example
/image,/table,/button. - Paste content from a document — WordPress converts headings, lists and links into blocks.
The most useful blocks
| Block | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Paragraph / Heading | Text and structure (use H2s for sections, H3s for sub-points) |
| Image / Gallery | Photos and screenshots |
| List | Steps and bullet points |
| Buttons | Calls to action |
| Columns / Group / Row / Stack | Layouts |
| Table | Comparisons and data |
| Cover | Text on top of an image or colour (hero sections) |
| Embed | YouTube videos, social posts |
| Details | Expandable FAQ answers |
Moving and arranging blocks
Select a block and use the up/down arrows in its toolbar, or drag it by the handle. For complex pages, open List View (the icon with three lines in the top toolbar) to see every block in a tree — it’s the easiest way to select nested blocks inside groups and columns.
Building layouts
Use a Group block to wrap sections and give them a background colour and padding. Use Columns for side-by-side content, or Row and Stack for flexible horizontal or vertical layouts. Set wide or full width alignment (if your theme supports it) for big hero sections.
Patterns: ready-made sections
Patterns are pre-designed groups of blocks — heroes, pricing tables, testimonials, call-to-action sections. Open the inserter, choose the Patterns tab, pick one and replace the text and images. Your theme adds its own patterns, and you can browse more in the WordPress Pattern Directory.
Synced patterns (reusable content)
If you use the same section on many pages — a newsletter sign-up, a disclaimer, a call to action — save it as a synced pattern. Edit it once and the change appears everywhere. Select the blocks, open the three-dot menu and choose Create pattern, then turn on syncing.
Styling blocks
With a block selected, the Block tab in the sidebar shows options such as colour, typography, spacing, borders and dimensions, depending on the block and theme. Try to use your theme’s preset colours and sizes so the site stays consistent. Site-wide styles are set in your theme — see WordPress web design for beginners.
Handy keyboard shortcuts
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Save | Ctrl + S | Cmd + S |
| Undo | Ctrl + Z | Cmd + Z |
| Add link | Ctrl + K | Cmd + K |
| Duplicate block | Ctrl + Shift + D | Cmd + Shift + D |
| Show all shortcuts | Shift + Alt + H | Ctrl + Option + H |
Publishing settings
In the Post tab of the sidebar you can set the URL slug, categories and tags, featured image, excerpt, and whether to publish now or schedule for later. Use Preview to check desktop and mobile views before publishing.
Tips for writing better posts
- Answer the main question in the first paragraph.
- Use H2 headings for sections so readers can scan.
- Add alt text to every image.
- Keep paragraphs to two to four sentences.
- Link to related posts on your site.
Block editor vs page builders
The block editor is built in, fast and improving every release. Page builders like Elementor or Divi offer more drag-and-drop design control but add extra code. Compare them in best WordPress page builders.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gutenberg the same as the block editor?
Yes — Gutenberg was the project name; the editor is officially called the block editor.
Can I go back to the classic editor?
Yes, with the official Classic Editor plugin, but most new themes and features are built for blocks.
Why can’t I see some block options?
Options depend on your theme and the block. Check the sidebar tabs and the three-dot menu.
How do I add a table of contents?
Use headings consistently; many themes and SEO plugins add a table-of-contents block.
Final thoughts
Spend half an hour practising: add blocks, try patterns, open List View and save a synced pattern. After that, building pages feels natural. Next: how to use WordPress.
Patterns: the biggest time-saver in the editor
Patterns are ready-made groups of blocks — a hero section, a pricing table, a team grid or a call-to-action band. Click the + inserter, open the Patterns tab and browse by category. Insert one, then replace the text and images with your own. Many themes include patterns designed to match their style, and the official WordPress Pattern Directory offers hundreds more for free.
You can also create your own. Build a section you’ll reuse — for example, a newsletter sign-up box — select the blocks, open the three-dot menu and choose Create pattern. If you mark it as “synced”, editing it once updates it everywhere it appears. That’s ideal for repeated content such as contact details or a disclaimer.
Keyboard shortcuts worth learning
- / at the start of an empty line opens a quick block search — type “/image” or “/heading”.
- Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + D duplicates the selected block.
- Ctrl/Cmd + Alt + T inserts a new block before the current one; Ctrl/Cmd + Alt + Y inserts one after.
- Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Alt + M switches between the visual and code editor.
- Typing ## followed by a space creates a heading instantly.
A real-world example
A small marketing team used to rely on a heavy page builder for every blog post, which slowed both the editor and the published pages. They switched to the block editor with a lightweight theme and created five synced patterns: an author note, a product callout, a newsletter box, a comparison table layout and a call to action. Writers now assemble posts in minutes, pages load faster, and design stays consistent across hundreds of articles.
Common block editor mistakes
New users often fight the editor instead of working with it. The most common mistakes are pressing Enter to add space instead of using the Spacer block or block spacing settings, styling every paragraph individually instead of using theme styles, and pasting text from Word with hidden formatting. When pasting, use “Paste as plain text” or the editor’s clean paste, then add headings and bold text using the toolbar. Another common issue is skipping heading levels — always use H2 for main sections and H3 inside them, which helps readers and search engines understand your structure.
WordPressPrime.com is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the WordPress Foundation, WordPress.org or Automattic. Always back up your website before making changes, and check official sources for the latest details.
