Skip to main content

How to install a WordPress Theme

This article explains two ways to install a theme in WordPress: through the admin panel or by uploading theme files with an FTP program.

Updated this week

🎨 Install a Theme in WordPress

There are two ways to install a theme in WordPress: via the admin panel or using an FTP program.

📝 Option 1: Install via the Admin Panel

1. Log in to WordPress

  • Log in to your control panel.

  • Scroll down to Web Applications and click on your WordPress.

  • Click the link ending with /blog/wp-admin/ to access the admin panel.

2. Go to Themes

  • In the left-hand menu, hover over Appearance and click Themes.

3. Add a New Theme

  • Click “Add New” at the top.

  • Browse free themes from WordPress, view popular ones, or filter to find what fits your needs.

  • To upload your own theme, click “Upload Theme”, select your file, and click Install Now.

4. Install and Activate

  • Once you find a theme you like, click Install.

  • Then click Activate to start using it.

📝 Option 2: Install via FTP

1. Download and Extract

  • Download the theme you want to use.

  • Extract the files from the ZIP archive.

2. Connect with FTP

  • Open your FTP program (we recommend FileZilla, which is free).

  • Connect to your server.

3. Upload Files

  • Navigate to wp-content/themes/ in your WordPress installation.

  • Upload the extracted theme files here.

4. Activate the Theme

  • Log in to your WordPress admin panel.

  • Go to Appearance → Themes.

  • Your new theme will appear in the list – click Activate to enable it.

✅ Done!

You’ve now installed and activated a new WordPress theme – either through the admin panel or via FTP.

Did this answer your question?