How to Easily Check Which WordPress Version You Are Using

Knowing exactly which WordPress version your site is running is essential for security, compatibility, and troubleshooting. Whether you are planning an update, installing a new plugin, or debugging a conflict, being able to quickly check this information can save you time and prevent serious issues.

Why Your WordPress Version Matters

Before looking at the different ways to find your WordPress version, it helps to understand why this information is so important. Your site’s core version affects:

• Security – Older versions can contain known vulnerabilities that attackers actively target.
• Plugin and theme compatibility – Many modern plugins and themes require a minimum WordPress version.
• Performance and features – Newer releases bring performance improvements, bug fixes, and new functionality in the block editor and core APIs.
• Support and documentation – Most tutorials, code snippets, and support forums assume a certain core version or later.

For these reasons, you should be able to check your WordPress version quickly from different places in your installation, including the dashboard, front end, and file system.

How to Check Your WordPress Version in the Dashboard

The easiest way for most site owners is to check directly in the WordPress admin dashboard. As long as you can log in, you can see the version in a couple of clicks.

Method 1: Using the “At a Glance” Widget

When you log in to the admin area, you are taken to the main dashboard screen. Here’s how to find the version:

• From the left-hand menu, go to Dashboard → Home.
• Locate the At a Glance widget.
• Look at the text near the bottom of the widget. It will display the current WordPress version, for example: “WordPress 6.x.x”.

If you do not see the At a Glance box, check the Screen Options tab at the top right of the page and make sure the widget is enabled.

Method 2: Using the “Updates” Screen

The updates page also shows your WordPress version and whether an update is available:

• In the admin menu, go to Dashboard → Updates.
• At the top of the page, WordPress will show one of the following messages:
  • “You have the latest version of WordPress.” followed by the specific version number.
  • Or a notice that a new version is available, along with your current version.

This method is particularly useful when you are managing updates and want to confirm exactly which release you will be upgrading from.

Method 3: Checking the Footer of the Admin Area

On some installations, the version appears in the bottom-right corner of the admin screens:

• Navigate to any admin page, such as Posts → All Posts.
• Scroll to the bottom of the screen.
• In the footer, you may see text like “Version 6.x.x”.

Note that some themes or plugins customize the admin footer, so the version may not always be visible there.

How to Find Your WordPress Version Without Logging In

If you are locked out of the admin area due to errors, white screens, or login issues, you can still determine which WordPress version your site uses by checking the public front end or the file system.

Method 4: Using the Front-End Page Source

Many WordPress sites expose the version through the page’s HTML source code. To check:

• Open your website in a browser.
• Right-click anywhere on the page and select View Page Source (or similar, depending on your browser).
• Use the browser’s search function (typically Ctrl + F or Cmd + F) and search for generator or WordPress.
• Look for a meta tag that looks like this:
  • <meta name="generator" content="WordPress 6.x.x" />

If this meta tag is present, it will show your WordPress version. However, many security-conscious administrators and security plugins remove or hide this tag to avoid leaking version information to attackers. If you cannot find it, try one of the file-based methods instead.

Method 5: Checking the readme.html File (If Accessible)

By default, WordPress ships with a readme.html file in the root directory. Some hosts and security tools remove it, but if it is still there, you can often see the version very quickly:

• In your browser, navigate to:
  • https://yourdomain.com/readme.html
• If the file is accessible, you will see the WordPress welcome and version information near the top of the page.

From a security standpoint, many professionals recommend deleting or restricting access to this file. If you cannot access readme.html, that is usually a good sign rather than a problem.

How to Check the Version Using Files and Code

Developers and site managers with access to the server can check the WordPress version at the file level. This is useful when the site is broken, the front end is down, or you want to verify the version before performing maintenance.

Method 6: Using wp-includes/version.php

The most reliable way to determine the WordPress core version is to inspect the version.php file. You can do this via FTP, SFTP, SSH, or your hosting file manager.

• Connect to your site’s file system using your preferred method (for example, an FTP client like FileZilla or your host’s control panel).
• Navigate to the directory where WordPress is installed. This is often called public_html, www, or named after your domain.
• Open the wp-includes folder.
• Locate and open the file named version.php.
• Search inside this file for the line that defines $wp_version.

You will see a line similar to:

$wp_version = '6.x.x';

The value in quotes is your exact WordPress version. This method is considered authoritative, because it reads the version directly from the core files.

Method 7: Using WP-CLI (Command Line)

If your hosting environment provides SSH access and you have WP-CLI installed, you can retrieve the WordPress version from the command line. This is particularly efficient when managing multiple sites or scripts.

• Connect to your server via SSH.
• Change into the directory where WordPress is installed.
• Run:
  • wp core version

The command will output the current WordPress version number. You can also get more details with:

• wp core version --extra

This extended command displays additional information, such as the database revision and whether you are running a development or localized build.

Method 8: Using a Custom PHP Snippet

If you cannot log in to the dashboard but your site can still execute PHP, you can create a temporary script to display the WordPress version. Use this with caution and remove it immediately after use for security reasons.

• Using FTP or your file manager, create a new file in your WordPress root directory, for example: check-version.php.
• Add the following minimal code to that file:
  • <?php
require dirname( __FILE__ ) . '/wp-load.php';
global $wp_version;
echo 'WordPress version: ' . $wp_version;

• Save the file and visit:
  • https://yourdomain.com/check-version.php

The page will display the current WordPress version. Once you have confirmed it, delete the script from your server to avoid exposing sensitive information.

How to Tell If Your Site Is Up to Date

Finding the version is only the first step. You also need to determine whether your installation is current and secure.

• Compare your version with the latest release listed on the official project site.
• Check the Dashboard → Updates page, which will clearly tell you if a newer version is available.
• Review the release notes to see what has changed since your current version.

If you discover that your version is significantly behind, plan to update as soon as possible, but always follow best practices to avoid breaking your site.

Best Practices Before Updating WordPress

Once you know which WordPress version you are using, you can make informed decisions about maintenance. Before upgrading, take these precautions:

• Back up your site – Create a full backup of your database and files using your hosting tools or a dedicated backup plugin.
• Check theme and plugin compatibility – Confirm that your active theme and key plugins support the new core version. Many developers list tested versions in their plugin or theme pages.
• Update in stages – If you are several major versions behind, consider updating step by step and testing after each upgrade, especially for complex or heavily customized sites.
• Use a staging environment – If your host supports staging, clone your site there, perform the update, and test everything before changing the live site.

Common Issues Related to WordPress Versions

Understanding your current version can help you rapidly diagnose common issues, including:

• White screen of death after updates – Knowing the exact version you updated from and to can help you (or your developer) pinpoint compatibility breaks.
• Plugin installation errors – Some plugins refuse to activate on outdated core versions. The error message often specifies the minimum required version.
• Missing editor features – Changes in the block editor and site editor are tied to specific releases. If you are missing features you see in tutorials, your version may be behind.
• Security alerts from your host – Many hosts scan for outdated WordPress versions and send notifications if you fall too far behind.

In all these cases, knowing the precise WordPress version allows you to search for version-specific fixes and follow targeted upgrade paths.

Tips for Managing WordPress Versions Across Multiple Sites

If you manage several installations, keeping track of versions becomes even more important. Consider the following strategies:

• Use a management dashboard – Tools like centralized management platforms let you see the version and update status for all your sites from one interface.
• Standardize environments – Aim to run the same major WordPress version across your projects to reduce compatibility surprises.
• Document your stacks – Record the WordPress core version, PHP version, theme, and critical plugins for each site. This helps when debugging or migrating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hide my WordPress version from visitors?

Yes. Many security plugins offer an option to remove the generator meta tag and hide the version from public view. You can also customize themes to avoid outputting version numbers in HTML. However, do not rely on obscurity alone for security; always keep your installation updated.

Is it safe to keep very old WordPress versions?

Running outdated core versions is risky. They may have unpatched vulnerabilities and compatibility issues with newer PHP releases. If you must maintain an old version for a legacy project, ensure the site is isolated, backed up, and protected with strong security measures and restricted access.

Why does my dashboard show a different version than my hosting panel?

Some hosting control panels display cached information or versions from a previous installation. Always trust the value from the WordPress dashboard or the version.php file over external tools. If there is a mismatch, clear caches and verify via file access or WP-CLI.

Conclusion

Being able to quickly check which WordPress version you are using is a fundamental skill for any site owner, administrator, or developer. Whether you prefer the simplicity of the dashboard, the visibility of the front-end source, or the reliability of file-level checks and WP-CLI, you now have several methods you can use in different scenarios.

Make a habit of verifying your WordPress version before major changes, and keep your installation as current as possible. This simple step will improve security, stability, and compatibility across your site, making ongoing maintenance significantly easier.