If you’re a user of WordPress, it’s crucial to know how to check your WordPress version. Keeping track of the WordPress version can help you figure out whether you need to update your web platform or not. Updating WordPress ensures that you have access to all its latest features and security patches.
Why Do You Need to Know Your WordPress Version?
Knowing your WordPress version is necessary for several reasons. WordPress is an open-source CMS, and developers are continually working on its improvement, releasing updates frequently. These upgrades usually consist of new features, improved designs, and above all, security patches. If you ignore these updates, you risk falling victim to hackers who exploit known vulnerabilities in previous versions of WordPress.
How to Check Your WordPress Version
You can easily check your WordPress version through different methods. We are going to discuss three common ways to do so:
Through the Dashboard
Through the Version.php File
By Viewing Source Code
Through the Dashboard
Typically, the easiest and most convenient way to find out the WordPress version is through the WordPress dashboard.
- After logging into your WordPress dashboard, navigate to the ‘At A Glance’ box on your dashboard home page.
- Underneath ‘At A Glance,’ you will see a concise overview of your website. The WordPress version is listed here.
This method is simple and straightforward, but it assumes you have admin access to the WordPress website in question.
Through the Version.php File
You can also check the version by accessing the WordPress file called ‘version.php.’ This method requires access to your site’s files through an FTP client like FileZilla or your hosting provider’s interface. Here’s how to do it:
- Connect your FTP client to your website using your FTP or SFTP details.
- Navigate to the ‘wp-includes’ folder.
- Inside the ‘wp-includes’ folder, locate and open the ‘version.php’ file.
- Within the ‘version.php’ file, you will find your WordPress version. It will be displayed as
$wp_version = 'x.x.x';.
By Viewing Source Code
Another method to check your WordPress version is by viewing the source code of your WordPress site. You can do it as follows:
- Open your site in a web browser.
- Right-click anywhere on the page and select ‘View Page Source.’
- Use Ctrl + F (or Cmd + F for Mac) to open the find box and search for ‘generator.’
- Look for the ‘meta name=”generator”‘ line. The version following ‘content=’ is your WordPress version.
Remember that this method might not work for everyone because many websites hide their version for security purposes.
Important: Knowing the ins and outs of your WordPress version is crucial but always remember to update as soon as a new version is available. Staying updated will help your site remain secure, optimized, and bug-free, providing a pleasant user experience to your visitors.
Wrap Up
Knowing what WordPress version you’re using is integral to managing and maintaining your website effectively, and there are multiple ways to gain this information. By checking the WordPress version regularly, you’ll be better prepared to update your platform promptly, optimizing both usability and security.