How to Add Title Attribute in WordPress Navigation Menus

Navigating a website should feel effortless, but short menu labels sometimes leave visitors guessing where a link leads. This uncertainty can frustrate users and make them hesitate to click on important content.

At WPBeginner, we have found that adding title attributes is a quick fix for this issue. It allows you to provide helpful context via a tooltip without cluttering your design, making it easier for visitors to find what they need.

In this article, we will show you how to add the title attribute in WordPress navigation menus.

Why Add Title Attributes to Navigation Menu Items?

In WordPress, you can add a title attribute to better describe any HTML element. This is often used with links and images to provide extra information that appears as a tooltip when the user hovers their mouse over the element.

Here’s an example of an image title attribute displayed in a tooltip. The user can learn more information about the image by moving their mouse over it.

You can learn more in our guide on the difference between image alt text vs. title.

We also recommend you use the title attribute when adding links to your post. This allows users to see where the link will take them before they click it.

It is important to note that you should not use the title attribute just to repeat the link text. This is redundant and doesn’t offer any value to your visitors. Instead, use it to provide extra details or context.

With that being said, let’s take a look at how to add the title attribute in WordPress navigation menus. You can use the links below to jump to the method that works with your theme:

Adding a Title Attribute to Classic Theme Menu Items

If you are using a classic WordPress theme, then you can customize your navigation menu by visiting Appearance » Menus in your dashboard.

However, you are not able to add a title attribute to menu entries by default.

To add this capability, you will need to click the ‘Screen Options‘ tab in the top right corner of the screen. This will bring down a menu, where you need to click on the check box next to the ‘Title Attribute’ option.

This will add a title attribute field for when you create or edit a menu entry.

Now, you can scroll down and click on any menu item in your existing menu to expand it. You will see the title attribute field.

You can now add the text you want to use as a title. You can also expand other menu items and add title attributes to them.

Don’t forget to click on the ‘Save Menu’ button at the bottom of the page to store your changes.

You can now visit your WordPress website and take your mouse over a link in the navigation menu. You will see the title attribute displayed as a tooltip.

Adding a Title Attribute to Block Theme Menu Items

If you are using a block theme, then you can customize your navigation menu using the Full Site Editor. This editor allows you to add title attributes to your menu entries by default.

First, you need to navigate to Appearance » Editor in your WordPress admin area and then click on the ‘Navigation’ option to find your menus.

You will need to select the menu you wish to edit from the list.

Now, you can click the preview pane on the right to open the editor full screen. Make sure you can see the settings pane on the left. If not, then you can display it by clicking the ‘Settings’ button at the top of the screen.

Next, click on the specific link within the menu that you want to customize. Then, look at the Block settings panel in the right sidebar.

Next, click the menu item in the settings pane that you wish to edit. This will display the options for that entry, including the title attribute.

In the Block settings sidebar, you need to scroll down and click to expand the Advanced section.

Here, you will find the ‘Title Attribute’ field. Simply type the text you want to use as the tooltip.

Make sure you click the ‘Save’ button at the top of the screen to store the new settings. You will need to click a second ‘Save’ button to confirm.

Now, you can visit your website to see the menu title attribute in action.

Frequently Asked Questions

We understand you might have a few more questions about menu title attributes. Below, we have answered some of the most common ones to help you out.

1. What is a menu title attribute in WordPress?

A title attribute adds extra, descriptive text to a menu item. When a visitor hovers their mouse over the menu link, this text appears in a small tooltip, providing more context about where the link will take them.

2. Are menu title attributes good for SEO?

Not directly. Search engines like Google generally do not use the title attribute as a ranking factor. However, title attributes can improve the user experience (UX) by helping visitors understand your navigation. A better user experience is always good for your website’s overall performance.

3. How do I enable the title attribute for menus in WordPress?

If you’re using a classic theme, the title attribute field is hidden by default. You can enable it by going to Appearance » Menus and clicking the ‘Screen Options’ tab at the top right. Then, simply check the box next to ‘Title Attribute’. For block themes, this field is visible by default in the Full Site Editor.

4. What is the difference between the Navigation Label and the Title Attribute?

The Navigation Label is the visible text of the menu item that users click on (e.g., ‘Blog’, ‘About Us’). The Title Attribute is the extra text that appears in a tooltip on hover and is not visible otherwise. It should provide additional information, not just repeat the label.

5. Should I add a title attribute to every menu item?

It’s not strictly necessary for every single item, especially if the navigation label is already very clear. You should add a title attribute when it can provide useful additional context that the label alone doesn’t convey. For example, for a ‘Contact’ label, the title attribute could be ‘Get in touch or find our address.’

Additional Resources on Customizing WordPress Navigation Menus

We hope this tutorial helped you learn how to add a title attribute in WordPress navigation menus. You may also want to see some other articles related to customizing the WordPress navigation menu:

• How to Add a Navigation Menu in WordPress (Beginner’s Guide)
• How to Add Custom Navigation Menus in WordPress Themes
• How to Add Titles in WordPress Menu Without Linking to a Page
• How to Add Specific Posts to WordPress Navigation Menu
• How to Add Topics in WordPress Navigation Menus
• How to Style WordPress Navigation Menus
• How to Add a Mega Menu on Your WordPress Site (Step by Step)
• How to Create a Mobile-Ready Responsive WordPress Menu

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