Do you want to add JavaScript in your WordPress pages or posts?
Sometimes you may need to add JavaScript code to your entire website or into specific pages and posts. By default, WordPress does not let you add code directly in your posts.
In this article, we’ll show you how to add JavaScript in WordPress pages or posts easily.
What is JavaScript?
JavaScript is a programming language that runs on the user’s browser, not on your server. This client-side programming allows developers to do a lot of cool things without slowing down your website.
If you want to embed a video player, add calculators, or some other third-party service, then you will be often asked to copy and paste a JavaScript code snippet into your WordPress website.
A typical JavaScript code snippet may look like this:
<script type="text/javascript"> // Some JavaScript code </script> <!-- Another Example: --!> <script type="text/javascript" src="/path/to/some-script.js"></script>
But, if you add a javascript code snippet to a WordPress post or page, then it will be deleted by WordPress when you try to save it.
That being said, let’s see how you can easily add JavaScript to WordPress pages or posts without breaking your website. You can use the quick links below to jump straight to the method you want to use.
- Add JavaScript to entire site using a plugin
- Add JavaScript manually using code
- Add JavaScript to single posts and pages using a plugin
Method 1. Add JavaScript to Entire WordPress Site Using Insert Headers and Footers Plugin
Sometimes a plugin or tool will need you to copy and paste a JavaScript code snippet into your website to work correctly.
Usually, these scripts will go in the header or footer section of your WordPress blog, so the code is loaded on every page view.
For example, when you install Google Analytics, the code needs to run on every page of your website, so it can track your website visitors.
You can manually add the code to your header.php or footer.php files, but these changes will be overwritten when you update or change your theme.
That’s why we recommend using a WordPress plugin to add JavaScript to your entire WordPress site.
The best plugin for the job is the Insert Headers and Footers plugin.
The first thing you need to do is install and activate the plugin. For more details, see our step by step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.
Upon activation, you need to go to Settings » Insert Headers and Footers.
Here you will see three boxes for the header, body, and footer sections.
You can now paste the JavaScript you copied into one of these boxes and click on the ‘Save’ button.
The plugin will now automatically load the code you added on every page of your website.
Method 2. Adding JavaScript Code to WordPress Manually Using Code
With this method, you need to add code to your WordPress files. If you haven’t done this before, then check out our guide on how to copy and paste code in WordPress.
First, we’ll show you how to add code to your WordPress site’s header. You need to copy the following code and add it to your functions.php, in a site-specific plugin, or by using a code snippets plugin.
function wpb_hook_javascript() {
?>
<script>
// your javscript code goes
</script>
<?php
}
add_action('wp_head', 'wpb_hook_javascript');
Adding JavaScript to a Specific WordPress Post Using Code
If you only want to add JavaScript to a single WordPress post, then you will need to add conditional logic to the code.
Take a look at the following code snippet:
function wpb_hook_javascript() {
if (is_single ('5')) {
?>
<script type="text/javascript">
// your javscript code goes here
</script>
<?php
}
}
add_action('wp_head', 'wpb_hook_javascript');
The code above will only run the JavaScript if the post ID matches ’5’. Make sure you replace the ’5’ with your own post ID.
To find the post ID open up the post where you want the JavaScript to run. Then, in the URL of the page, you’ll find the post ID.
Adding JavaScript to a Specific WordPress Page Using Code
If you only want to add JavaScript to a single WordPress page, then you will need to add conditional logic to the code, just like above.
Take a look at the following example:
function wpb_hook_javascript() {
if (is_page ('10')) {
?>
<script type="text/javascript">
// your javscript code goes here
</script>
<?php
}
}
add_action('wp_head', 'wpb_hook_javascript');
The code above will only run the JavaScript if the page ID is ’10’. Make sure you replace the ’10’ with your own page ID.
You can find the page ID using the same method as above. Simply open the page you want the JavaScript to run and note the page ID in the URL.
Adding JavaScript to a Specific WordPress Post or Page Using Code in the Footer
If you want the JavaScript to run in your site footer instead of the header, then you can add the following code snippet to your website.
function wpb_hook_javascript_footer() {
?>
<script>
// your javscript code goes
</script>
<?php
}
add_action('wp_footer', 'wpb_hook_javascript_footer');
This code snippet hooks into wp_footer instead of wp_head. You can also add conditional tags to add javaScript to specific posts and pages like the examples above.
Method 3. Adding Javascript Code Inside WordPress Posts or Pages Using a Plugin
Another way you can add JavaScript to individual posts and pages is by using a plugin. You can select where in the content you want to embed your JavaScript code.
First, you need to install and activate the Code Embed plugin. For more details, see our beginner’s guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.
Upon activation, you need to edit the post or page where you want to add JavaScript. Then, you need to enable custom fields which is hidden by default.
To view it, you need to click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the screen and then select ‘Options’ from the menu.
This brings up a popup where you need to check the ‘Custom fields’ option under the ‘Advanced panels’ section.
Then, click the ‘Enable & Reload’ button to reload the post editor.
After that, you’ll see the ‘Custom Fields’ meta box directly below the content editor.
Next, click the ‘Enter new’ link.
The custom field name and value fields will now appear.
You need to provide a name for the custom field with the ‘CODE’ prefix (for example, ‘CODEmyjscode’) and then paste your JavaScript code into the value field.
Then, click the ‘Add Custom Field’ button to save your custom field.
Now you can use this custom field to embed the JavaScript code anywhere in this post or page. Simply add this embed code anywhere in your post content.
{{CODEmyjscode}}
Make sure you click ‘Update’ or ‘Publish’ to save the page or post and make your JavaScript code live.
Pro tip: These methods are for beginners and website owners. If you are learning WordPress theme or plugin development, then you need to properly enqueue JavaScript and stylesheets to your projects.
We hope this article helped you learn how to easily add JavaScript in WordPress pages or posts. You may also want to see our guide on how to choose the best blogging platform and our expert picks of the best AI chatbot software for your website.
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Paul Liles says
I cannot find the three-dot menu anywhere? Need some help.
WPBeginner Support says
It should be at the top of the edit page. if you are using the classic editor then it would be under Screen Options.
Admin
Eleni says
I’m not getting the Custom Fields option in the Screen Options tab. I’m using a self-hosted website and have installed and activated the Code Embed plugin
WPBeginner Support says
If you’re using the Block editor then the setting has moved under the preferences area.
Admin
Ashley says
This site is AMAZING!!! This is the third post in a row where I’ve hit the jackpot getting what I needed and did it in the easiest way possible. Thank you!!
WPBeginner Support says
Glad our guides were helpful
Admin
Dude says
Hey, great stuff WPbeginners! The second method worked like a charm. I did have a question though. If I wanted to add another js code for another purpose, how should the code start. Because anything I add after the code is greyed out. I’m at a loss here. I want it to do the same but for another page. Any ideas will be appreciated.
WPBeginner Support says
It would heavily depend on the code you are using but you would want to ensure the code is before the
/scripttagAdmin
Jonathan says
Thanks. This article was exceedingly helpful. I went with the functions.php option. Worked well.
WPBeginner Support says
Glad our guide was helpful
Admin
Elise says
That worked. Thank you so much!
WPBeginner Support says
You’re welcome
Admin
Martin says
Question on Method 3:
After inputting the value and clicking on the “add custom field”, how do I get the code to display on my website frontend?
Should I insert “{{CODEmyjscode}}” using a shortcode widget or text editor on the page?
WPBeginner Support says
for the moment you would want to use the text or code editor.
Admin
Bret Bernhoft says
When I first began working with WordPress, JavaScript seemed like an impossibility for me. But fast forward to today and I’m writing the language every day; often in association with WordPress.
I wish it had been clearer to me how easy it would have been to write JavaScript, when I first began this journey. Thank you for the tools and tips. I’ll have to give this a try.
WPBeginner Support says
Glad we could share some easy methods for adding JavaScript to your site!
Admin
ibrahim says
It worked and helped me a lot. Thank you!
WPBeginner Support says
You’re welcome
Admin
Kat says
I tried adding custom JS in my post, but nothing happens. I followed your exact directions for Method 3, but when I go to preview the page it’s just blank space where the JS is supposed to be. Any idea why?
WPBeginner Support says
You would want to take a look at the plugin’s FAQ for the most common reasons for that issue and how to resolve it.
Admin
Samuel says
How does this work with the new WordPress block system?
I’m trying to embed this in a page, but it just shows as {{code1}} on the preview
WPBeginner Support says
It would depend on the method you are using on your site for the plugin, they have an update in their FAQ section for how to use it at the moment.
Admin
Akash says
Thank for this information. Really amazing and helpful post.
WPBeginner Support says
You’re welcome, glad our article was helpful
Admin
Alex says
Hey, great guide! The problem is I don’t have “Custom Fields” under screen options… Any idea why?
WPBeginner Support says
Is your site on WordPress.com?
Admin
James says
Hi. I have employed a programmer to create a tool, which he did in Javascript. I have been using Weebly but Weebly has become unresponsive to requests for help, to which hundreds of blogs testify. So, I’m looking at alternatives to Weebly. Could WordPress handle a 2 MB javascript tool?
Thanks,
WPBeginner Support says
Your hosting would determine if a tool like that could be used not the platform for your website and depending on how the tool was set up would determine if you can transfer the tool.
Admin
Matt says
What if I need to add the script just on a single page but in the head not the body? I am trying to add a google conversion pixel just to my form submit thank you page.
WPBeginner Support says
You would want to take a look at the section of the article called: Adding JavaScript to a Specific WordPress Post or Page Using Code
Admin
quy says
it works like magic. Thanks very much
WPBeginner Support says
You’re welcome, glad our article could help
Admin
Manjeet Chhillar says
Thank you for this very helpful post.
My query is: How can I implement “Method 2” on multiple posts. Do i need to add Post ID of every single post separated by comma?
WPBeginner Support says
yes, you would need to place the commas outside the single quotes and start a new set of quotes for this method
Admin
Deborah says
Thank you for sharing the three methods WordPress users can use to add JavaScript to posts or pages. From what I read on the Insert Headers and Footers plugin page in the repository, the plugin doesn’t use the enqueue method to add the scripts. Which is the recommended method to add scripts in WordPress.
Did I misunderstand? Or is Insert Headers and Footers using enqueue to add scripts? If it’s not using enqueue, do you know when the plugin will be updated to use enqueue?
WPBeginner Support says
The plugin is not enqueueing scripts added to it at the moment as not everything added with our plugin may not want to be enqueued. If you would like to enqueue the added code you would want to use another method.
Admin
Dave G says
Nice, thanks for that. It so happen that the exact post ID I needed to run javascript on was number 16. “`if (is_single (’16’)) { “`
Are you from the future?
WPBeginner Support says
Not yet at least
Admin
Golu Arjun says
Thank you for this post. It’s very helpful. It is possible to customize
WPBeginner Support says
You’re welcome
Admin
Thomas says
I need to add a script to all posts in my blog. I have the plugin to each individual post. Thing is, there are thousands of posts and we need to add the script to all of them. Any suggestions? Thank you in advance.
WPBeginner Support says
The Insert Headers and footers option will put a code on every post and page for you if they are using the same code.
Admin
Thomas says
Thank you for your quick reply.
We only want the script to run on Posts. We do not want it to run on all pages.
WPBeginner Support says
If you had a widget that is only added to posts you could try adding the code in a widget.
Ann says
I’ve tried using the Headers and Footers scripts and the jQuery just doesn’t seem to be working properly.
WPBeginner Support says
It would depend on the specific code you are adding to the site for the possible reasons it could not be working. You may want to ensure with who you took the code from that the code itself is working.
Admin
Andrew Golay says
Please fix your Headers / Footer plugin or change this article, thank you.
WPBeginner Support says
Our plugin is currently working from testing but we will certainly take another look at it.
Admin
lynn says
thank you!! This was very helpful .
WPBeginner Support says
Glad it was helpful
Admin
Remco says
Thank you for this great post!
Is it possible to implement Structured Data on Woocommerce pages with this method (JSON-LD)?
WPBeginner Support says
You likely could but if you have an SEO plugin you are currently using you would want to check with that plugin to see if the plugin does that already.
Admin
graham says
A well-presented roundup of the better-known options for what is becoming a common need. However, many WordPress users are not (and do not want to be) programmers. For them, JavaScript in any form is too frightening; that’s why they use WordPress with its promise of “no programming required”.
There’s another possibility; to use custom scripts instead of JavaScript, and embed them directly in the page. You can put them in any component, though I prefer .
All you need then is something that can compile and run the script. It’s hard to find plugins that can do this; my own searches haven’t yet turned up any. However, as a JavaScript programmer myself, I was able to write one and put it in the library as EasyCoder. The scripts resemble English, have about the same complexity as SQL and can do most of the things commonly required to manage content and interactivity in a web page. EasyCoder is also fully pluggable so other programmers can add modules themselves.