WordPress · Website glossary

Child theme

Quick answer · What is Child theme?

A WordPress theme that inherits from another theme and provides its own supported overrides or additions.

IN PRACTICE

Child theme: an example

A developer keeps custom template changes in a child theme instead of editing the parent theme directly.

KEEP IN MIND

A child theme still depends on its parent; updates and customizations need compatibility checks.

Put the idea to work

Frequently asked questions

What is a practical example of Child theme?

A developer keeps custom template changes in a child theme instead of editing the parent theme directly.

Does a child theme still depend on its parent?

A child theme still depends on its parent; updates and customizations need compatibility checks.

Which concepts should I read alongside Child theme?

WordPress theme: A collection of templates and styling that controls a WordPress site's presentation and, depending on its type, editing features.
WordPress template: A layout definition WordPress uses to render a particular type of page or view.