Are you looking to install a WordPress theme? As a beginner, you probably have heard about tons of available free and paid WordPress themes. As you’re starting out, you may want to try out a few themes on your site until you find the right one that meet your needs. In this beginner’s guide, we will provide you with detailed step by step instructions on how to install a WordPress theme for beginners. We will cover three different ways to install a WordPress theme.
Before You Install a WordPress Theme
Installing a WordPress theme is easy. But keep in mind that if you activate a new theme, then it will change how your website looks and function. If you’re switching from an existing theme, then you may want to look at our checklist of things you need to do before changing WordPress themes.
Video Tutorial
If you don’t like the video or need more instructions, then continue reading.
Install a Theme using WordPress Admin Theme Search
If you’re looking to install a free WordPress theme from the WordPress.org themes directory, then the easiest way is by using the WordPress admin theme search functionality.
First thing you need to do is login to your WordPress admin area. Next, click on Appearance » Themes.
Once you are on the themes page, click on the Add New button at the top.
On the next screen, you will have the ability to select from: Featured WordPress themes, Popular WordPress themes, Latest WordPress themes, search for a specific theme, or search for themes with specific features.
Based on your search, you will see a single theme or a list of themes that met your criteria. In our case, we searched for the blogging theme Slipstream.
When you see the theme that you want to install, simply bring your mouse on top of the image. This will reveal the install button, preview button, and details button. Go ahead and click on the install button.
WordPress will now install your theme and show you a success message along with the link to activate or live preview.
Click on the activate button, and you’ve successfully installed and activated your WordPress theme.
Note: Depending on the theme, it may add additional settings options that you may need to configure either through the theme customizer or through a separate options panel.
Install a Theme by using Upload Method from WordPress Admin
The first method that we covered only allows you to install free themes that are available in the WordPress.org theme’s directory. But what if you want to install a commercial “premium” WordPress theme from companies like ThemeLab, StudioPress, iThemes, etc.
Or what if you want to install a custom theme? Well in this case, you would need to install the theme using the upload method from your WordPress admin.
Start by downloading the .zip file of the theme that you purchased from a marketplace or a commercial theme provider.
Next login to your WordPress admin area and click on Appearance » Themes.
Once you are on the themes page, click on the Add New button at the top.
On the next screen, click on the Upload Theme button at the top.
You will be prompted to choose the zip file that you downloaded earlier. Select the file and click Install Now.
Once your theme is installed, you will see a success message along with the link to activate and preview the theme.
Click on the activate button, and you’ve successfully installed and activated your WordPress theme. Depending on the theme, it may add additional settings options that you may need to configure either through the theme customizer or through a separate options panel.
Note: The theme upload functionality is only available for self-hosted WordPress.org users. If you’re using WordPress.com, then you will not see this option because it limits you. In order to use custom theme upload feature, you would need to use self-hosted WordPress.org (See this article that explains the difference between Self Hosted WordPress.org vs WordPress.com). If you want to switch from WordPress.com to WordPress.org, then read our tutorial on how to properly move from WordPress.com to WordPress.org.
Installing a WordPress Theme using FTP
If you’re feeling adventurous and want take it to the next level, then you can learn about installing WordPress themes using FTP. Remember, this is not for true beginners because it is a little bit more advanced.
First start by reading this article about how to use FTP (Video Included).
Now that you have read the article above and installed and setup your FTP program, connect to your host using FTP. You would need to go to the path (/wp-content/themes/). Once you’re there, simply upload your theme’s folder there.
Remember you must unzip the folders before you upload a theme using FTP. Once you have uploaded the theme, you would need to go to your admin area and click on Appearance » Themes.
You should see the theme that you uploaded listed there. Bring your mouse on top of that theme and click on the activate button.
We hope this step by step guide helped you install a WordPress theme on your site. This article was created using the screenshots of version WordPress 3.9. Since WordPress is constantly evolving, we will try our best to keep this guide up to date. If you notice that there is something missing, then feel free to let us know.
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Thankyou. Unfortunately (i wont mention the website), dosent actually show you how to install the themes properly. They give you a brief look over, but not actually how to do it step by step. Sometimes, its what you need, thanks again.
Hi, I uploaded a new theme and activated it. But i am unable to visit the particular site. One default theme is showing. Why? How can i visit the site which i uploaded?
Pity you don’t make it very obvious at the start that you are ONLY working with WordPress.org
So I just followed these instructions to add a theme and after the theme uploaded successfully and I clicked “Activate”, I received a Parse error. How do I now undo this issue? Thanks!
Hey Morgan,
You can undo this by connecting to your website using FTP or File Manager in cPanel dashboard. Once connected, go to wp-content/themes/ folder and delete the theme you were trying to install.
I have dowloaded the Pro version of my basic free wordpress theme because the Pro version unlocks more features for colours and design. In my free theme it said : Go Pro. So that’s what I want to do.
However when I upload the pro version through WP theme installer, it says installation failed because there is already a folder with that name. Do you think the Pro zip file has the same name as the free basic version?
What should I do? Use an other theme for a few minutes and de-install the free basic theme first? And then install the pro zip file? I’m unsure what to do. And will deinstalling it from my wordpress theme collection also deinstall it from my host server?
You would want to first reach out to the theme’s support to ensure they do not have a recommended method to change to the pro version as it could have the same name.
Hi
I found a new theme that I have downloaded and subsequently installed onto my WordPress site for under Add Themes> upload theme. I want to activate it and move no contents from the existing site. I intend to have it the way it is. Any advice?
Thanks in advance
I bought a premium theme which I tried to upload to WordPress localhost. It keeps giving me this message;
Warning: post content length of 26678057 bytes exceeds the limit of 8388608 bytes in unknown on line 0
Are you sure you want to do this?
Please try again.
What could be wrong? And how can I rectify it?
Thanks
Hi Lola,
Please follow the instructions in our guide on how to fix WordPress memory exhaustion error.
Hi, I am having issues here.. I have followed all this site’s steps to get my website on wordpress.org. I have a domain I bought a while ago, transferred it and have it successfully hosted now on BlueHost. I just purchased a WordPress premium theme for $125 (which is p expensive..) and I can’t get the .zip file anywhere.. Also, it auto installed onto the example.WORDPRESS sites instead of my wordpress.org Bluehosted nerdvegan.com and I have no idea how to switch it since there is nowhere to download the .zip file. Also, having multiple sites listed in and of itself is messing me up, how do I get rid of everything but just the example.com that is on wordpress.org? please help!~ thank you in advance!!
Hi Kristy,
Please contact the theme shop you purchased the theme from to help you find the ZIP file you need to install. Once you are certain that you have the theme’s zip file on your computer. Go a head and login to your WordPress website where you want to install the theme. Go to the Appearance » Themes page and then click on the Add New button. Next, you need to click on the upload button to upload the theme file from your computer.
Please see the screenshots in the article above.
I am on WordPress right now and there is no button to add a theme as the screenshots show. Did their pricing models change? Does it require a premium version now to be able to do this?
This’ really helpful
Thanks a lot
Do you guys have a tutorial for homemarket themes? Can you guys help me find one? Thanks
I will installed wp in my Linux fedora 24 64-bit laptop wp theme add button is hide never to see my localhost site
Thank you so much, this was so simple and clear, I hope you live a truly blessed life
hi i tried using all the options but still installation of new theme fails, what might the problem be???
I am using a free plan wordpress theme. And i have download a new theme I liked. When I tried to install the new, there was no upload button. How can I install the new one?
Thank you
Hi Fuad,
It looks like you are using WordPress.com. Please see our guide on the difference between WordPress.come and WordPress.org.
I just purchase my premium plan with my domain name and storage space (that whole package). When going to appearance>themes, there is no add new button? Recommendations?
Hey Alexis,
Are you sure you are using self hosted WordPress.org? Please see our guide on the difference between self hosted WordPress.org vs free WordPress.com blog.
Hi I don’t find the add new button what you suggest to do?
I have your help!!?
Thanks!
how to install .rar files in wp
Thanks for the article. I have a few questions as I’m a bit confused. I already have a live website hosted by Inmotion hosting. I wanted to change the design so I found a theme on Envato by Themeforest, the provider was Themezaa – and I bought the theme I liked. It was a wordpress theme. After I bought, I realised I don’t know the difference between a normal theme and a wordpress theme. I found out that I can only use this wordpress theme I bought from a wordpress editor – which is fine by me as I’m not a coder (I only received a 3 month online course on html and css circuits) so I know a bit about editing html and css. Now that I bought the wordpress theme, I’m thinking, can I simply download the wordpress editor, keep my existing host (inmotion hosting), install this new theme, edit the contents and colors and then when I’m done simply connect my domain to my new website?
Is this how I’m suppose to do it?
or do I need to cancel my existing host, and start paying wordpress.com to host my website as I’m using their editor? Can you please let me know how this works?
Selin
Hi Selin,
First, please see our guide on the difference between self hosted WordPress.org vs free WordPress.com blog.
Your theme would only work with self-hosted WordPress.org site.
Having said that, follow the instructions in our step by step WordPress installation tutorial to get started with WordPress.
Hi
I also I found a theme on Envato by Themeforest that I have downloaded and subsequently tried to upload onto my WordPress site for under Add Themes> upload theme and it does not want to install. It just says: “Error: fail to upload.” Any advice?
I then went to load it through the C-Panel- I loaded the Zip file, unzipped it and went to my dashboard. The theme box comes up empty, I pressed activate and the theme shows up only as HTML.
Suggestions?
Thank you
Lorna
Hi Lorna,
Please see your theme’s installation instructions. Some theme developers on themeforest actually send you package which has documentation, PSD files, and theme itself is a separate zip file inside the main folder.
If you don’t have the domain name or hosting still can you make the website on WordPress? After finishing the design can we buy the hosting and domain? Is it possible?
Do not charge my font
it’s quite easy to follow
thanks
It doesn’t matter what one believes they know. Or .. How much of whatever it may be they THINK they know.
With an open mind to receive an understanding. One may even amaze themselves of how easy life can be.
I Didn’t realize just how easy it was to install a theme I purchased. I’ve been at this marketing THING 8+ years. And I still don’t know everything there is to be successful online/
Thanks!
WP Beginners for simplest advice for installing my “purchased” theme.
I have clicked in appearance>theme. But i didn’t found add new button. Please help me sir. Make new and updated article.
Go to theme and then upload a theme then you will see add new theme.
when iam trying to click on appearance->theme-> they were not showing add new option
are you premium user or free user
Every time I install a new theme the old one get derange (menu, sliders…)
Any idea why? tnx
Thank you a bunch! All articles thatI have read and video tutorials I have watched here really helped me a lot. Congratulations to all the people behind this. It’s really amazingly helpful.
How long does it usually take to down load your theme? I’m importing demo data & it’s been 4 hours. I’m thinking something is wrong.
Thanks
Please contact your WordPress theme developer.
Hello Nancy,
There is something wrong. I bought some themes from themeforest and they are all 60 to 90 mb in size. It took me about 20 minutes to download them. So i think that the 4 hours download (which still did not completes), there is something wrong.
You should contact the website admin from where you are downloading the theme.
Kind regards,
Yogi
Do I need to be a Premium User to upload a theme?
No. Not if you are using the self hosted WordPress.org. Please see our guide on the difference between self hosted WordPress.org vs free WordPress.com blog.
Great piece keep up the good work
There is no button for me to press to upload a theme, what should I do?
after applying theme into exiting once no slider supported with image please solve problem
Hi…
i have theme in my local machine which i am trying to upload on my wordpress (also on local machine) but everytime i try to upload theme.. it shows me error saying ” are you sure want to do this?” and link saying please try again which will jump me back to previous page…
anyone know how can i tackle it???
Hey, I get the same message, were you able to fix this already? Help will be appreciated.
how can i download theme from my website .
thank you
Connect to your website using an FTP Client. Go to wp-content > themes folder. Select your theme and then download it to your computer.
Can anyone tell me why, when I navigate to Appearance > Themes, I don’t have an ‘Add New’ button? It’s very frustrating!
Hi,
I have bought a theme and i am trying to upload it, but i keep getting the message
“Are you sure you want to do that?
Try again?”
Am i doing something wrong here?
this is the problem i am having. please please please i need help
Please do change in ur php.ini file
upload_max_filesize = 64M
post_max_size = 64M
memory_limit = 400M
file_uploads = On
max_execution_time = 180
search these and change in php.ini file
Hi. maybe you doesn’t upgrade for WP 4.3
theres no ADD NEW button. different with the WP before.
or it’s cause of I use the WPMU?
FYI: it’s wordpress.org not wordpress.com
Pls, I dont get to see the add new tab on my own dashboard pls. What am I doing wrong? Not even the plugins tabs too.
You may be using WordPress.com. Please see our guide on the difference between self hosted WordPress.org vs free WordPress.com blog.
I have just purchased a theme through Mojo marketplace (Coastal) but it won’t let me upload it and it’s saying – ‘The parent theme is missing. Please install the “genesis” parent theme’ – do I need to spend MORE money buying this too? Please help
Seems like you have bought a child theme for Genesis framework. You will need to install Genesis too.
Thanks bro really helpfull
The infographic and guide article doesn’t tell me anything. Where is the stupid “Add New” button?
Thanks for the help installing the premium theme, I needed that!
Same exact problem as above visitors Allison Taylor and Felix…. There is NO “Add New” button on the WP Dashboard Screen at all!
Can we get some help on that, please??
All my apologies for that!
So newbie on WP installing platforms that I did not realize I had a .COM Dashboard instead of a .ORG Dashboard… Anyway, it seems that I had first to install the new WP 4.2 version, and after downloading the pack in my computer, there was no zip file to open and install anything… So, my problem remains… I cannot even believe when reading from WP: “the famous and easy 5 min installation”. It is more like 5 hours to me.
Same problem as Allison Taylor……I don’t have the “Add New” button. Is that something wordpress now omits? Could someone give me the answers i need……really would appreciate
Please see our guide on the difference between WordPress.com vs WordPress.org.
Hi, I do have installed wordpress.org to my domain… still I don’t have the “Add new” button… what am I doing wrong?
It is possible that your domain may still be pointing to WordPress.com. You need to point it to your new web host.
Can anyone tell me why I keep getting download failed messages every time I attempt to install a theme from the themes directory? I also get error message when I try to update the plugins.
Thank you in advance.
I like the way you instruct, makes it so much easier, clear and not too quick for comprehension
…….. though I would like to set up a website not a blog, a place for information & room to keep adding information in the future, with possibility to ask questions if someone desires to do so, I don’t think a blog would do for that. Can you help me.
Should the new uploaded theme look exactly like the screenshots in the advert?
No not necessarily. In order to show you all the features of a theme, the demo would have additional content or images. When you download and install the theme on your site that content does not come with the theme. So your theme may not look exactly the same.
I do not have the “Add New” button on my Theme dashboard, what now?
Hello I have the same problem of Alison, I don’t have any “add new” button in the theme page. Is it just for the premium ? if not how could I fix that ?
Are you sure you are using self hosted WordPress and not WordPress.com. Please see our guide on the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org.
I am really impressed with your post. You shared good post about wordpress theme. Your post is really nice and helpful to all newbie wordpress developers. Thanks to share useful post with us.
What program you use for making a screen capture in this post?
For new WordPress users – also note that if you purchase/download a premium theme, the theme .zip file itself is likely inside a larger “package” which also includes documentation, source files, etc. You will need to unzip the package, then get the actual theme .zip file.