How to Tell If a Website Uses WordPress: Easy Ways to Confirm
Learn simple ways to check if a website is WordPress using quick tests and free tools.
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Chris Granat
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How to Check If a Website Uses WordPress: Quick and Reliable Methods
As a WordPress web developer, I often get asked how to check if a website runs on WordPress. Many sites use WordPress, but not all make it obvious, especially when custom themes or security measures are in place. Whether you’re researching a competitor, testing compatibility, or planning a website project, there are quick and reliable ways to find out. You can inspect the page source code, look for WordPress-specific URLs or use free online tools. This guide explains the easiest methods to confirm whether a site is built with WordPress.
1. Check the Page Source Code for WordPress Indicators
You can check if a website uses WordPress by inspecting its source code. Right-click anywhere on the page and select “View Page Source” (or press Ctrl + U on Windows or Cmd + U on Mac). This will open the page source, showing the website’s underlying HTML. Use Ctrl + F (Windows) or Cmd + F (Mac) to search for common WordPress-related terms like “wp-content”, “wp-includes”, or “wp-admin”.
If you find these in the source code, the site is likely running WordPress. Some websites also include a meta tag that reveals the WordPress version, which can help determine if the site is up to date or running an older release.” If you’re unsure how to analyze the code, a website designer can help review the site’s structure and confirm its platform. Here’s an example of ‘WordPress’ found in a the source code:
2. Use Online Tools
Several free online tools can quickly check if a website uses WordPress. Services like BuiltWith, WhatCMS, IsItWP, and Wappalyzer analyze a site’s technology stack and detect if WordPress is being used. These services can also identify other content management systems (CMS), such as Joomla, Drupal, or Shopify, making them useful for understanding a website’s backend setup. Simply enter the website URL, and these services will scan for WordPress-specific elements in the source code and server responses. These tools are especially useful for website publishers who want to analyze competitors, identify site features, or learn what technologies power successful websites.
3. Inspect the Website URL Structure for WordPress Patterns
WordPress websites often follow specific URL structures that can help you identify them. Look for URLs containing “/category/”, “/tag/”, or “/author/”, as these are common in WordPress blogs. Another simple test is to try accessing the login page by adding “/wp-admin/” or “/wp-login.php” to the domain. If the website loads a login form, it is likely using WordPress. However, some sites may change or hide these URLs for security reasons. If the website structure includes a blog, its URLs may also have post identifiers or numeric slugs that are typical of WordPress.
4. Examine the Theme and Plugins for WordPress Signs
A website’s theme and plugins can reveal whether it runs on WordPress. To check, view the page source and search for “/wp-content/themes/” to find the theme name. Many WordPress themes include this path in their stylesheets and scripts. You can also look for “/wp-content/plugins/”, which indicates the plugins installed on the site.
If the site is a membership website, it may use WordPress plugins like MemberPress or Restrict Content Pro to manage subscriptions and gated content. Since themes and plugins are central to WordPress functionality, they require regular updates and security patches to prevent issues. This is why website maintenance is important for keeping a WordPress site running smoothly over time.
5. Use Browser Extensions to Detect WordPress
If you prefer a faster way to check for WordPress without visiting an external tool, browser extensions can help. Extensions like WhatRuns, Library Sniffer, and PageXray scan a website in real time and display detected technologies, including WordPress. These tools work directly in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, allowing you to detect WordPress while browsing without needing to inspect the source code manually. You can find these tools in the Chrome Web Store and install them directly in your browser.
6. Test the Login Page for WordPress Access
Many WordPress websites use a default login page located at “/wp-admin/” or “/wp-login.php”. To check, type the website’s domain followed by /wp-admin/ in your browser (e.g., example.com/wp-admin/). If this redirects to a login screen, the site is likely running WordPress. However, some site owners change or block this URL for security reasons.
7. Check the HTTP Headers for WordPress Indicators
Websites send HTTP headers that can reveal if they are powered by WordPress. To check, use browser extensions like Wappalyzer or online tools that analyze HTTP responses. Look for headers such as ‘X-Powered-By: WordPress’ or ‘Generator: WordPress’, which confirm the site’s platform. ou can also inspect headers using browser Developer Tools by opening the Network tab, refreshing the page, and reviewing the response headers of the website. If these headers mention WordPress, the site is likely using it.
Developers and business owners often analyze these details when planning a new website, whether for competitive research or budgeting purposes. If you’re trying to estimate how much a small business website costs, pricing depends on factors like design complexity, functionality, and hosting.
Conclusion: How to Be Sure a Website Uses WordPress
WordPress powers millions of websites, but not all make it obvious. If you suspect a site is built with WordPress, simple checks like viewing the page source, testing the login page, or using online tools can give you a quick answer. For a deeper look, inspecting themes, plugins, and HTTP headers can provide more proof. Even if a website hides its WordPress traces, these methods will help you uncover the platform behind the site.
Since WordPress sites require ongoing updates, security patches, and performance monitoring, many website owners rely on website maintenance services to keep their sites secure and running smoothly as part of their web development strategy. By combining multiple techniques, you can easily determine whether a website is running on WordPress.
Chris Granat
Chris is the founder and lead web designer at Flamingo Agency, a Chicago web design agency.
