Creating unique templates for category pages in WordPress is a great way to organize content and improve the user experience. This is especially helpful if you have various post categories like we do at WPBeginner.
Custom category templates let you tailor how content is displayed for each category.
You can highlight specific posts, use different layouts, or add unique elements that fit the content of each category. This helps visitors find what they’re looking for more easily and keeps them engaged longer.
In this article, we’ll show you step-by-step how to create category templates in WordPress.
What Are Category Templates and Why Create Them in WordPress?
With WordPress websites, it’s common to use different templates for categories, tags, custom post types, and taxonomies.
And when it comes to categories, WordPress generates individual pages for all of them. You can view them by visiting a URL like:
https://example.com/category/news/
Now, most popular WordPress themes come with built-in templates to showcase category pages beautifully. These templates highlight the category title and show the category description below it.
However, some themes may not handle this so nicely, or you may want to customize your category pages.
By creating templates for categories, you can add specific features to category pages.
For example, you can allow users to subscribe to categories, show category descriptions, choose a different layout for each category, and add category images.
Understanding WordPress Template Hierarchy for Category Pages
WordPress has a powerful templating system that lets you create different templates for different sections of your website.
When displaying any page, WordPress looks for a template in a pre-defined hierarchical order.
To display a category page, it looks for templates in this order: category-slug.php → category-id.php → category.php → archive.php → index.php.
First, WordPress will look for a template specific to that particular category using the category slug. For example, the category-design.php template will be used to display the ‘Design’ category.
If it does not find a category-slug template, then WordPress will look for a template with a category ID, like category-6.php. After that, it will look for the generic category template, which is usually category.php.
If there is no generic category template present, then WordPress will look for a generic archive template, such as archive.php. Lastly, it will use the index.php template to display the category.
Here’s our guide to WordPress template hierarchies.
With that in mind, we’ll share the steps for how to create category templates in WordPress. You can use the quick links below to jump to your preferred method:
Ready? Let’s get started.
Method 1: Creating a Category Template Using Full Site Editing
The simplest way to create a category template is using the Full Site Editing (FSE) tool. With this method, you don’t need to install any plugins. But, do note that the FSE functionality is only available for WordPress block themes.
For this tutorial, we’ll use the Twenty Twenty-Three theme.
So, let’s install and activate it on your website. If you need help, then you can see our guide on how to install a WordPress theme.
Upon activation, you’ll need to navigate to Appearance » Editor.
To create a category template, let’s click the ‘Templates’ menu item and then the ‘Add New Template’ button.
On the next screen, you’ll see different options to create templates.
Since we’re going to create a category template, let’s choose ‘Category Archives.’ Simply click on it, and you will see another prompt window.
Here, you need to decide if you want to use the custom template for all categories or a specific one.
For this tutorial, we’ll go with ‘Category.’
The next step is to choose an existing category from your WordPress website.
You just need to click the category you want from the list.
With that done, you’ll be redirected to choose a pattern for your new category template.
Simply click on it, and it will open the block editor.
From here, you can customize your category template. When you’re happy with how it looks, simply click ‘Save’ to make your changes live.
Method 2: Creating a Category Template Using Thrive Theme Builder
If you want to have more customization options, then this method is for you.
Thrive Theme Builder is part of the Thrive Themes brand. It’s one of the best tools for creating custom templates for your WordPress categories.
To use this tool, you’ll need to create a Thrive account first. Simply go to the website and click the ‘Get Thrive Suite’ button.
Upon purchasing the tool, go ahead and download Thrive Product Manager. All Thrive products will be available on its dashboard.
Then, you can go back to your WordPress admin area and navigate to Plugins » Add New Plugin. Here, you’ll upload the Thrive Product Manager plugin’s .zip file.
If you need help, then you can see our guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.
After that, you’ll want to head over to ‘Product Manager.’ From here, you can scroll down the page to locate Thrive Theme Builder.
You’ll want to check the box next to ‘Install Theme’ then click the ‘Install Selected Product’ button.
Once the Product Manager finishes the installation, go ahead and click ‘Activate selected product.’ Then, you can click ‘Go to the Theme Builder Dashboard’ to start creating a category template.
In the builder, the first thing you’ll need to do is choose a theme. Simply hover over a theme and click ‘Choose’ to use it.
For this tutorial, we’ll use ‘Shapeshift.’
You will then be redirected to the theme builder.
From here, let’s go to the ‘Templates’ menu. Then, you can click the ‘Add New’ button.
This will open a pop-up window.
From here, you’ll create a new list template. You can start by naming the template, for example, ‘Category Template.’
Then, in the ‘Single or List?’ field, you can choose ‘List.’ This will enable you to select ‘Archive’ and ‘Categories’ in the following fields, respectively.
After that, let’s choose ‘All Categories’ in the ‘Defined for’ field. Then, you can click ‘Choose Template’ to create a category template quickly.
You’ll need to choose a template in the new pop-up window. Simply click to select it, and then click the ‘Create Template’ button when it appears.
You’ll then see on the next screen that you have created the new category list.
Just hover over it and click the ‘Edit’ button to start customizing.
This will open the builder in a new tab.
From here, feel free to customize the category template to match your vision. When you’re done, you can click the ‘Save Work’ button in the bottom left corner.
Method 3: Creating a Category Template Using Beaver Themer
For another beginner-friendly solution, Beaver Themer allows you to create layouts for your theme. You can select the individual categories where you want to use the template and then edit them using a drag-and-drop tool.
First, you’ll need to install and activate Beaver Builder. If you need help, then see our guide on how to install a WordPress website.
Upon activating it, you’ll need to verify your license key.
Simply go to Settings » Beaver Builder » License. Then, you’ll want to enter your license key in the text box and click ‘Save License Key.’
You can find the key in your Beaver Builder account.
Once done, you’ll want to navigate to Beaver Builder » Themer Layouts » Add New.
From here, you’ll need to give it a title.
Then, simply select your category under the ‘Location’ option.
You’ll then be able to use Beaver Builder’s drag-and-drop editor to customize your category layout page to your liking.
Beaver Themer provides plenty of modules that you can use and move around to design your category layout page.
Once you are done, just click on the ‘Done’ button and then select ‘Publish’ to apply your category template.
You can now visit your WordPress website to see the category template in action.
Method 4: Creating a Category Template for Your Theme in WordPress
Before we start, let’s first take a look at a typical category.php template:
Category:
