A block theme is a WordPress theme built for Full Site Editing (FSE). Instead of PHP template files and a functions.php full of settings, its templates are HTML made of blocks, and its entire design — colours, fonts, spacing, layout — is declared in a single theme.json file. You edit the whole site, header and footer included, in the Site Editor, visually.

Why it matters in 2026

Block themes are where WordPress is going. They are faster (no jQuery, far less CSS), they give you real design controls without a page builder, and they make a light, accessible site the default rather than something you have to fight for. A free theme shipped today that isn't a block theme is already behind.

When a classic theme still makes sense

If you rely on a plugin ecosystem built around the classic customizer, or a page builder your workflow depends on, a classic theme can still be the pragmatic choice. Our older themes — MagazineBook, NewsBook and the rest — are classic themes, still maintained and still free. But for a new site, start with a block theme.