Table of contents
What is a WordPress menu?How to create a WordPress menuBest practicesCreate dropdown menusAdd categoriesAdd custom linksAdd a login buttonHow to edit a menuAdd a menu to a sidebarAdd a menu in the footerNext stepsAdditional resources
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WordPress Guide → Build → Menu Guide

WordPress menu guide

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A well-structured menu is what turns a messy website into a smooth experience. Whether you’re running a blog, portfolio, or business site, your WordPress menu helps visitors get where they want to go—fast.

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What is a WordPress menu?

A WordPress menu is a navigational tool that helps users move through your website. It typically appears at the top of your site, but you can also add menus to footers, sidebars, and other widget areas.

Menus give visitors quick access to your most important content. You can link to posts, pages, categories, custom URLs, or even login pages—all from one organized menu bar.

Menu Editor

The Menu Editor is the built-in tool in WordPress for creating and managing menus. It lets you drag and drop menu items, organize submenus, rename labels, and customize links—all without touching code. You’ll find it under Appearance > Menus in your WordPress dashboard.

How to create a WordPress menu

Creating a menu is simple and only takes a few steps:

  1. Go to Appearance > Menus in your WordPress dashboard
  2. Click Create a new menu
  3. Give your menu a name (like “Main Menu” or “Header Menu”)
  4. Click Create Menu
  5. Under Add menu items, choose pages, posts, categories, or custom links to add
  6. Click Add to Menu
  7. Drag and drop the items into the order you want
  8. Choose a Display location like Primary or Footer
  9. Click Save Menu

WordPress menu best practices

A clean, user-friendly menu improves navigation and helps users stick around longer. Here are some tips to follow:

  • Keep it short: Limit top-level items to 5–7 links
  • Use clear labels: Say “About” instead of “Who We Are”
  • Group similar items: Use dropdowns to organize related links
  • Prioritize important pages: Put your most-visited pages first
  • Make it mobile-friendly: Check how it looks on smaller screens
  • Use categories for blog menus: Keeps content organized and dynamic

How to create dropdown menus

Dropdowns (also called submenus) let you organize links under a main item—ideal for multi-level navigation.

  1. Go to Appearance > Menus
  2. Drag one menu item slightly to the right underneath another
  3. It will become a “sub item” automatically
  4. Repeat as needed to build out your structure
  5. Click Save Menu when you’re done

How to add WordPress categories to a menu

Adding categories is great for blog-style sites with lots of posts.

  1. Go to Appearance > Menus
  2. In the left sidebar, click the Categories tab
  3. Check the boxes for the categories you want to include
  4. Click Add to Menu
  5. Arrange them where you want and Save Menu

How to add a login button to your WordPress menu

Want users to log in from the main menu? Here’s how to do it manually or with a plugin.

  1. Go to Appearance > Menus
  2. Open the Custom Links tab
  3. Enter your login URL (typically /wp-login.php)
  4. Add a label like “Login” or “My Account”
  5. Click Add to Menu and Save Menu

Alternatively, use a plugin like WPForms or LoginPress to customize login links and redirects.

How to edit a menu in WordPress

You can change your menu anytime through the Menu Editor.

  1. Go to Appearance > Menus
  2. Choose the menu you want to edit from the dropdown
  3. Add, remove, or rearrange items as needed
  4. Update display settings if necessary
  5. Click Save Menu

How to add a menu to a sidebar

Sidebars are great for secondary or mobile menus.

  1. Go to Appearance > Widgets
  2. Find the Navigation Menu widget
  3. Drag it into a sidebar or widget area
  4. Select the menu you want from the dropdown
  5. Click Save

WordPress menu FAQs

How do I create a menu bar in WordPress?

Go to Appearance > Menus, create a new menu, add your links, and assign it to the Primary Menu or similar location in your theme settings.

How do I add an icon to a WordPress menu​?

You can add icons using a plugin like Menu Icons by ThemeIsle, which lets you choose from Dashicons, Font Awesome, and more—no code needed. See How to add images to your navigation for details.

How do I add a login button to WordPress menu?​

Use a custom link pointing to /wp-login.php, or use a plugin like LoginPress to customize login forms and behavior from the menu.

Additional resources

How to build a WordPress site →

A complete beginner’s guide that covers 9 key steps to a successful launch

WordPress Slug: What is it and what should you do with it? →

Understand what a WordPress slug is and how to customize it for better SEO and readability.





How to use WordPress Gutenberg blocks →

A complete beginner’s guide to Gutenberg blocks