WordPress uses by default the Block Editor, frequently also called Gutenberg. Content is built within it from individual blocks – for example, paragraphs, headings, images, lists, buttons, or columns. For new WordPress websites, this editor is now the standard and fundamentally recommended solution.
Anyone who has been working with WordPress for a longer time or is using a website whose plugins or workflows are tailored to the earlier editor may want to continue working with the Classic Editor work. WordPress provides the official plugin for this Classic Editor Ready. This allows you to reactivate the classic editing interface for posts and pages.
Note: For a new WordPress website, we generally recommend starting with the block editor. The Classic Editor is primarily useful if you prefer the classic interface or use an existing plugin or established workflow that relies on it.
What is the WordPress block editor? #
The block editor was introduced with WordPress 5.0 as the new default editor. Instead of editing the entire content in a single large text field, WordPress treats individual content elements as separate blocks.
A typical post may consist of the following blocks, for example:
- Heading
- Paragraph
- Image
- Gallery
- List
- Quote
- Table
- Button
- Columns
- Video or other embedded media
This structure allows for a much more flexible design directly within WordPress. Blocks can be moved, duplicated, grouped, and individually configured.
The block editor is also an important component of modern WordPress architecture. Modern block themes use the block system not only for posts and pages, but sometimes for designing the entire website.
What is the Classic Editor? #
The Classic Editor largely corresponds to the editing interface that WordPress used before the introduction of the block editor. Instead of many individual content blocks, a single continuous editor is available that is reminiscent of classic word processors.
The interface is based on a visual editor with a toolbar for typical formatting such as:
- bold and italic
- Headlines
- Listen
- Links
- Quotes
- Alignment
- Media
Additionally, a text or HTML view is available. Many long-time WordPress users are very familiar with this way of working.
Block Editor or Classic Editor – which is better? #
For most new WordPress websites, the Block Editor the better long-term choice. It is actively being developed as part of WordPress and forms the basis of many modern WordPress features.
The Classic Editor can still be useful if:
- you work much more efficiently with the classic interface,
- an existing website has been maintained with it for years,
- a plugin requires special classic meta boxes or editor functions,
- an existing editorial workflow is based on the Classic Editor,
- you do not need block-based editing for simple text posts.
You shouldn't switch to the Classic Editor just because the Block Editor seems unfamiliar at first. For a new website, it is usually worth getting to know the Block Editor.
Install Classic Editor in WordPress #
The Classic Editor is no longer part of the standard editing interface of a new WordPress installation. To use it, you install the official plugin Classic Editor.
If you do not yet know how WordPress plugins are installed, you can find the basics in our guide What is a WordPress plugin and how do you install a plugin?.
Install Classic Editor #
- Log in to the WordPress admin area.
- Open Plugins > Add Plugin.
- Type in the search box Classic Editor one.
- Make sure to use the official plugin Classic Editor to select from WordPress.org.
- Click on Install now.
- Wait for WordPress to finish the installation.
- Then click on Activate.
After activation, the classic editing interface for posts and pages is available. Which interface is used by default can also be set via the WordPress writing settings.
Set default editor #
After installing the Classic Editor, you will find additional options under:
Settings > Writing
There, it can be defined which editor should be used by default.
Depending on the configuration, the following options are available in particular:
- Block Editor: WordPress uses the modern block editor by default.
- Classic Editor: Posts and pages are opened with the classic editor by default.
Furthermore, it can be configured whether users are allowed to switch between the editors themselves.
We explain the general options of this area in more detail in the article Configure writing settings in WordPress.
Allow users to switch between both editors #
You don't necessarily have to commit to just one editor for the entire website. The Classic Editor plugin can be configured to allow users to choose between the classic editor and the block editor.
To do this, open:
Settings > Writing
Activate the corresponding option there that allows users to switch the editor.
This setting can be practical for existing websites. For example, older content can continue to be maintained with the Classic Editor, while new posts are already created with the Block Editor.
Tip: When multiple people are editing content, you should establish a clear standard editor. Otherwise, different editors within an existing post can cause unnecessary confusion.
What happens to existing posts and pages? #
Installing the Classic Editor does not delete your existing content. Posts and pages remain stored in the WordPress database.
However, you should be careful with content that has already been created with the block editor. Modern block content contains additional structures and markup that WordPress requires for the individual blocks.
If you open and edit complex block content with a different editor structure, layouts or special blocks may under certain circumstances no longer be edited as easily as before.
Warning: For extensive pages with complex block layouts, do not switch between different editors without careful consideration. Create a backup beforehand for important content and check the page on the frontend after making changes.
Can I use only a classic editor within Gutenberg? #
Yes. If you are not bothered by the entire block editor, but merely need a classic text area, you do not need to replace the block editor completely.
WordPress includes the block for this Classic. Within the block editor, this provides an editing interface similar to the former classic editor.
This can be a good interim solution: you retain the capabilities of the modern block editor, but can continue to edit specific text areas in a familiar classic interface.
Classic Editor with block themes and the Site Editor #
Here it must be between the Content editor and the Site Editor be distinguished.
Modern WordPress block themes can use the Site Editor. With this, for example, templates, headers, footers, and other areas of the website are designed using blocks.
The Classic Editor replaces this Site Editor not. The plugin is mainly intended to restore the classic editing interface for posts and other supported content types.
Therefore, if your website uses a modern block theme, you should not expect installing the Classic Editor to revert the entire WordPress interface back to the way it used to work.
Deactivate Classic Editor again #
If you want to work fully with the block editor again later, you can deactivate the Classic Editor plugin.
Disable Classic Editor #
- Open in the WordPress admin area Plugins > Installed Plugins.
- Search for Classic Editor.
- Click on Deactivate.
- Then check some existing posts and pages in the block editor.
If you no longer need the plugin afterwards, you can also delete it. We explain how to correctly disable and remove plugins in the article Deactivate and delete WordPress plugins.
Classic Editor is not working as expected #
If the block editor still appears despite the Classic Editor being installed, first check whether the plugin is actually activated.
Check afterwards at:
Settings > Writing
which editor was set as the default and whether users are allowed to switch between the editors.
Please also note that themes, plugins, and certain content types can influence which editor is used. Modern block themes in particular rely on block-based features.
If you run an existing website and notice unusual behavior after changing the editor, you should not install additional plugins at random. First, check the editor settings and potential dependencies of the plugins and themes you are using.
Should I really disable the block editor? #
For a new WordPress website, we would normally use the block editor do not disable. WordPress is increasingly evolving towards block-based website editing, and many current themes and plugins are designed accordingly.
The situation is different with an older website. If there is a stable workflow there using the Classic Editor and certain extensions rely on it, there is no compelling reason to rebuild the entire website just because of the newer editor.
Therefore, the crucial factor is not which editor is fundamentally „better,“ but rather which editor fits the technical structure and workflow of your website.
Recommendation: For new WordPress projects, you should use and get to know the block editor. Use the Classic Editor primarily for existing workflows, personal preferences, or compatibility requirements.
Summary #
WordPress uses the modern block editor by default. If you want to use the previous editing interface instead, you can use the official plugin Classic Editor install.
After installation, under Settings > Writing determine which editor is used by default and whether users are allowed to switch between the Classic Editor and the Block Editor.
For new WordPress websites, we generally recommend the block editor, as it forms the basis of modern WordPress content editing. However, the Classic Editor remains a sensible alternative for existing websites, familiar editorial workflows, and certain compatibility requirements.
If you just want to try out the Classic Editor, you can switch back at any time under Plugins > Installed Plugins Deactivate.
