How to add blocks

Blocks are the individual pieces used to create content in WordPress. Everything you add in the editor — text, images, layouts, and custom features — starts with a block.

This guide covers the most common ways to add blocks, when to use each approach, and a few tips to help you work faster and more confidently in the editor.

Common ways to add blocks

There are several ways to add blocks in WordPress. It can be helpful to understand each of the approaches so you can use whichever feels fastest for your workflow.

Option 1: Use the slash command (quickest)

The slash command is the fastest and most common way to add a block.

  1. Click into the editor where you want to add content
  2. Press Enter or Return — WordPress automatically creates a Paragraph block
  3. Type / (forward-slash) followed by the block name (for example, /heading or /image)
  4. Select the block from the list

Good to know: Paragraph blocks are the default. If you just start typing and press Enter, you’re already working inside a Paragraph block.

Use this approach when:

  • You’re writing content continuously
  • You already know which block you want
  • You want to stay on the keyboard

Option 2: Use the block inserter (+)

The block inserter helps you browse and discover available blocks. It’s represented by a + icon and appears in several areas throughout the editor.

Add a block inline

  1. Hover between existing blocks until you see the + button
  2. Click + to open the inserter
  3. Search for the block name or browse by category
  4. Select the block to add it

Add a block from the top toolbar

  1. Click the + button in the top-left toolbar
  2. Browse or search for a block
  3. Click the block to insert it at your cursor location

This approach is helpful when:

  • You’re not sure which block you need
  • You want to explore available options
  • You’re building layouts visually

Option 3: Add a block from the List View

The List View panel shows a structured outline of all blocks on the page.

From List View, you can:

  • Select an existing block
  • Click the + button to add a new block above or below it

This approach is especially useful on longer or more complex pages where finding the right insertion point is tricky.

More ways to add blocks

These options are less common, but still useful in the right situations.

Add a block using the Options menu

Each block includes an Options menu (the three dots) in its block toolbar.

From this menu, you can:

  • Insert a new block before or after the selected block

To do this:

  1. Select an existing block
  2. Open the Options menu (three dots) in the block toolbar
  3. Choose Insert before or Insert after

This is helpful when you’re working block by block and want precise control over where new content is added.

Add a block by transforming another block

In some cases, you can convert one block type into another. option is only available for some block types. This can be faster than deleting and re-adding content.

For example:

  • Turn a Paragraph into a Heading
  • Convert text into a List

To do this:

  1. Select the block
  2. Open the block toolbar
  3. Choose Transform to and select a different block type

Add blocks by copying and pasting

This can save time when recreating the same content or reusing complex blocks.

You can copy blocks from:

  • Current page being edited
  • Another page or post
  • A page or post from another WordPress site as long as the block type exists. This is useful when copying content between environments (ie. from staging to production)

Tips for editors

Don’t worry about placement on the first try

You can move blocks up or down them at any time.

Stay on the keyboard

The slash command is the fastest workflow once it becomes muscle memory.

Use List View for precise placement

When a page gets long or complex, List View makes it easier to add blocks in the right spot — without guessing or scrolling.

  1. WordPress.org Adding Blocks documentation. Please note that your site may have customizations affecting the functionality, appearance and settings.