How to Change Footer in Wordpress

This guide shows you how to change footer in WordPress using multiple methods—no coding required. Whether you’re using a block theme, classic theme, or page builder, you’ll find clear steps to customize your site’s footer easily and safely.

Key Takeaways

Use the WordPress Customizer: Most themes allow footer changes via Appearance > Customize > Footer.
Edit with Block Themes: If using a block-based theme like Twenty Twenty-Four, edit the footer directly in the Site Editor.
Modify via Theme Files: For advanced users, edit footer.php in a child theme to avoid losing changes during updates.
Add Custom CSS: Use Additional CSS in the Customizer for styling tweaks without touching code.
Use Plugins for Simplicity: Plugins like Elementor or Footer Mega Grid offer drag-and-drop footer editing.
Always Backup First: Before making changes, back up your site to prevent data loss.
Test on Staging: Try changes on a staging site if available to avoid breaking your live site.

How to Change Footer in WordPress: A Complete Guide

Changing the footer in WordPress might seem tricky at first, but it’s actually quite simple—once you know where to look. The footer is the section at the bottom of your website that usually contains copyright info, links, social icons, or contact details. Whether you want to update the copyright year, add a newsletter signup, or completely redesign the layout, this guide will walk you through every method.

In this article, you’ll learn how to change footer in WordPress using the built-in tools, theme settings, custom code, and plugins. We’ll cover both beginner-friendly and advanced techniques so you can choose what works best for your skill level and website setup.

Method 1: Using the WordPress Customizer

The WordPress Customizer is the easiest way to make visual changes to your site, including the footer—especially if your theme supports it.

Step 1: Access the Customizer

Go to your WordPress dashboard. Click on Appearance > Customize. This opens the live preview editor where you can see changes in real time.

Step 2: Look for Footer Settings

Once inside the Customizer, look for a section labeled Footer, Footer Widgets, or Site Identity. Not all themes include footer options here, but many popular ones like Astra, GeneratePress, and OceanWP do.

Step 3: Edit Footer Content

If your theme allows it, you can:

Change the copyright text
Add or remove widget areas
Adjust layout (e.g., number of columns)
Upload a logo or background image

For example, in the Astra theme, you’ll find footer options under Footer Builder, where you can drag and drop elements like text, menus, or social icons.

Step 4: Publish Your Changes

When you’re happy with the look, click Publish to save your changes. Always preview on mobile and desktop to ensure it looks good on all devices.

Method 2: Editing Footer with Block Themes (Full Site Editing)

If you’re using a modern block-based theme like Twenty Twenty-Four or Twenty Twenty-Three, WordPress uses Full Site Editing (FSE), which lets you edit the footer like a page.

Step 1: Open the Site Editor

Go to Appearance > Editor. This opens the block-based site editor.

Step 2: Select the Footer Template

In the left sidebar, click on Templates, then find and click on Footer. You’ll see the current footer layout made up of blocks.

Step 3: Customize the Footer

You can now:

Add new blocks (e.g., paragraph, image, button)
Edit text directly by clicking on it
Change colors, fonts, and spacing using the block settings
Insert a navigation menu or social icons

Step 4: Save and Update

Click the Update button in the top-right corner to save your changes. The footer will now reflect your edits across all pages.

Method 3: Editing the Footer.php File (Advanced)

If your theme doesn’t support Customizer or block editing, you may need to edit the footer.php file directly. Warning: This method requires caution. Always use a child theme to avoid losing changes when the parent theme updates.

Step 1: Use a Child Theme

If you haven’t already, create a child theme. This protects your customizations. You can learn more about child themes in our guide: What Is a Child Theme in WordPress?

Step 2: Access Theme Files

Go to Appearance > Theme File Editor. From the right sidebar, select your child theme, then find and click on footer.php.

Step 3: Modify the Code

Look for the section that contains the footer content. It usually starts with <footer and ends with </footer>. You can change text, add HTML, or insert PHP functions.

Example: To change the copyright line, find something like:

<p>©  Your Site Name</p>

And replace “Your Site Name” with your actual brand.

Step 4: Save Changes

Click Update File to save. Visit your site to confirm the changes appear correctly.

Method 4: Using a Page Builder Plugin

If you’re using a page builder like Elementor, Beaver Builder, or Divi, you can design a custom footer without touching code.

Step 1: Install and Activate the Plugin

If you haven’t already, install a page builder. Elementor is free and widely used. Learn how to get started with How to Create a WordPress Theme with Elementor.

Step 2: Edit the Footer Template

In Elementor, go to Templates > Theme Builder > Footer. Click Edit with Elementor.

Step 3: Design Your Footer

Use drag-and-drop widgets to build your footer. Add columns, text, images, forms, or social media links. You can even set conditions to show different footers on specific pages.

Step 4: Save and Publish

Once done, click Update. Your new footer will appear site-wide.

Method 5: Adding Custom CSS

Sometimes you just need to tweak the appearance—like changing font size or background color. You can do this with custom CSS.

Step 1: Open Additional CSS

Go to Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS.

Step 2: Add Your CSS

For example, to change the footer background to dark gray and text to white:

.site-footer {
  background-color: #333;
  color: #fff;
  padding: 20px 0;
}

You can also target specific elements like links or headings. Use your browser’s inspect tool to find the correct class names.

Step 3: Publish

Click Publish to apply the styles. This method is safe and doesn’t affect theme files.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Footer not updating? Clear your cache—both WordPress cache (if using a plugin) and browser cache.

Changes not showing on mobile? Check responsive settings in your theme or page builder. Some elements may be hidden on smaller screens.

Footer looks broken after update? This often happens when editing theme files without a child theme. Restore from backup and reapply changes in a child theme. For help, see How to Update Theme on WordPress.

Can’t find footer options? Your theme may not support customization. Consider switching to a more flexible theme. Check out How to Apply WordPress Theme for guidance.

Conclusion

Now you know how to change footer in WordPress using five different methods—from simple Customizer edits to advanced code changes. The best approach depends on your theme, skill level, and design needs.

For most users, the Customizer or block editor will be enough. If you need more control, consider using a page builder or editing theme files via a child theme. Always back up your site before making major changes, and test on a staging environment if possible.

With these tools, you can create a footer that’s not only functional but also matches your brand perfectly. Happy customizing!