Open a fresh post in WordPress and the screen you land on is Gutenberg, the block editor. Every paragraph, image, heading and button is its own block that you stack, drag and style, with no shortcodes or HTML required. That is the short answer to “what is Gutenberg in WordPress.”
The longer answer matters, because Gutenberg has grown well past a writing tool. It now drives Full Site Editing, block themes and a four-phase roadmap that is still rolling out in 2026. This guide explains what Gutenberg actually is, how it differs from the old Classic Editor, the kinds of blocks you get, how Full Site Editing fits in, and how to build a page step by step.
If the word “Gutenberg” sent you here from a history class, start with the quick disambiguation below, then jump to the WordPress part.
Gutenberg, Project Gutenberg, or the Printing Press?
Three different things share the Gutenberg name, which is why search results mix them up. Here is the one-line version of each so you know you are in the right place:
Also Read: handy WordPress keyboard shortcuts to speed up editing.
- Johannes Gutenberg was the 15th-century inventor of the movable-type printing press in Europe.
- Project Gutenberg is a free online library of public-domain ebooks named after him.
- Gutenberg (WordPress) is the block editor built into WordPress since 2018, and the subject of this guide.
The WordPress editor borrowed the name as a nod to how movable type changed publishing. Everything below is about that WordPress editor.
Also Read: Bricks Builder vs Gutenberg if you are deciding between the native editor and a page builder.
What Is the Gutenberg WordPress Block Editor?
The WordPress block editor, usually called Gutenberg, launched with WordPress 5.0 in December 2018 and replaced the Classic Editor as the default. Where the Classic Editor gave you a single text field that worked like a word processor, Gutenberg treats every element on the page as a separate block.
A block-based approach means a paragraph, an image, a button or a table is each its own unit you can move, duplicate and restyle on its own. You arrange the page visually instead of writing shortcodes or HTML, and you see roughly what the front end will look like as you build.
WordPress ships with dozens of core blocks, and any plugin can register its own. That open system is why the block editor keeps expanding into new layouts and content types every release.
Pros and Cons of Gutenberg
Like any tool, the block editor has trade-offs. Here is an honest look at both sides.
| Pros ✅ | Cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| User-Friendly Interface: Gutenberg’s block-based approach is designed to be more intuitive, making your experience smoother. | Learning Curve: If you are used to the classic editor, Gutenberg can initially seem complex. |
| Design Blocks: The block system is a game-changer, allowing you to design pages by simply dragging and dropping blocks. | Performance: Gutenberg can sometimes be slower than the classic editor. |
| Optimization: Gutenberg’s responsive design ensures that content looks good on all devices. | Limited Layout Options: While Gutenberg offers various blocks, it lacks some advanced functionalities and design layouts available in other page builders. |
| Enhanced Visual Editing: Unlike the classic editor, where shortcodes were required, Gutenberg provides a real-time visual representation of your content. | |
| Customizations: Integrate custom blocks to expand the editor’s capabilities. |
Also Read: Gutenberg vs Elementor if you are deciding between the native editor and a page builder.
The 4 Phases of Gutenberg (and Where WordPress Is in 2026)
Gutenberg is not a finished product, it is a long-running project with four planned phases. Knowing the phases explains why the editor can suddenly do something this year that it could not last year.
- Phase 1, Easier Editing. The block editor itself, shipped in WordPress 5.0 (2018). Done and still being refined.
- Phase 2, Customization. Full Site Editing, block themes, the Site Editor, block patterns and the block directory, rolled out across the 5.9 to 6.x releases. Done.
- Phase 3, Collaboration. Real-time co-authoring and smoother publishing workflows. This is the current focus, and WordPress 7.0 (2026) is the release advancing it.
- Phase 4, Multilingual. Core support for multilingual sites. Still ahead.
For a 2026 site owner, the practical takeaway is that Phases 1 and 2 are live today, so Gutenberg already edits both your posts and your whole site, and Phase 3 collaboration features are arriving through the current release cycle.
Gutenberg Block Editor vs Classic Editor: What Is Different?
The Classic Editor and Gutenberg solve the same job in very different ways. This table sums up the practical differences.
| Aspect | Classic Editor | Gutenberg Block Editor |
|---|---|---|
| Content model | One TinyMCE text field | Independent blocks you stack and rearrange |
| Layout | Needs shortcodes or HTML for columns and media | Columns, groups and media are built-in blocks |
| Visual accuracy | Roughly matches the front end | Closer live preview as you build |
| Site-wide design | Posts and pages only | Full Site Editing of headers, footers and templates |
| Availability | Plugin required to keep using it | Default since WordPress 5.0 |
If you are new to WordPress, the block editor is the natural starting point. If you genuinely prefer the old interface, the free Classic Editor plugin keeps it available, and WordPress has committed to maintaining it for years.
What Kinds of Blocks Does the Gutenberg Editor Offer?
Blocks are the heart of the editor. Think of them as building units: each one does a single job, and together they form the page. Core blocks fall into a few clear groups.
1. Widget Blocks
Widget blocks bring familiar WordPress widgets into the editor, including Calendar, Archives, Latest Comments, Latest Posts, RSS, Search and Social Icons. You place them anywhere a block can go, not just in a sidebar.
2. Text Blocks
Text blocks cover the writing itself. The Paragraph block is your main tool, with bold, italics, links and alignment, and the group also includes Heading, Quote, List, Table, Verse and Preformatted blocks.
3. Design Blocks
Design blocks control layout: Columns, Group, Row, Spacer, Separator and Page Break, plus the Buttons block for calls to action. They decide how the rest of your content is arranged.
4. Media Blocks
Media blocks handle anything that is not plain text, including Image, Gallery, Audio, Video, File and Cover. The Cover block is handy for hero sections with text over an image.
5. Embed Blocks
Embed blocks pull in content from other platforms by pasting a URL, with dedicated blocks for YouTube, X, Spotify, Reddit, Pinterest, TikTok and more. If a platform is not listed, the generic Embed block usually still works.
6. Theme Blocks
Theme blocks are what make Full Site Editing possible. They include Site Title, Site Logo, Navigation, Query Loop, Post Title, Featured Image and Post Excerpt, the pieces you use to build headers, footers and templates.
Full Site Editing and the Site Editor
Early Gutenberg only edited the content area of a post or page. Full Site Editing, delivered in Phase 2, extends the same block tools to your entire site. With a block theme active, open Appearance, then Editor, and you can edit headers, footers, sidebars and templates with blocks instead of code or the old Customizer.
A few modern features are worth knowing as a beginner:
- The Site Editor lets you change site-wide design, templates and template parts in one place.
- Patterns are reusable block layouts. What older guides called “reusable blocks” are now synced Patterns.
- Styles and the Style Book let you set fonts, colors and spacing for the whole site and preview them together.
- The Command Palette (Ctrl+K on Windows, Cmd+K on Mac) jumps to any block, page or setting fast.
Full Site Editing needs a block theme to work. If you are choosing one, our guide to the best WordPress block themes for Gutenberg is a good starting point.
Also Read: What is a WordPress block theme to understand the themes that unlock Full Site Editing.
How the Gutenberg Editor Works, Step by Step
The block editor has everything you need to build a page: pick blocks, drop them in, and style them in the sidebar. Here is the full flow from blank page to published.
Create a page. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Pages on the left and click Add New. You get a blank canvas.
Add a title. The title field is built into the top of the page, marked Add title. Type your title there.
Add a block. Click the plus icon at the top left to open the inserter, then pick the block you need.
Remove a block. Select the block, click the three dots in its toolbar, and choose Delete.
Write text. Use the Paragraph block, which gives you alignment, font size and color in the toolbar and sidebar.
Add headings. The Heading block offers levels H2 to H6 for structure and SEO. Keep one clear hierarchy so readers and search engines follow along.
Add an image. Choose the Image block, then upload a file or pick one from the Media Library.
Add a link. Highlight the text, click the link icon, and paste the URL.
Add a shortcode. The Shortcode block runs any plugin shortcode inside your content.
Add a button. The Buttons block adds a styled call to action with text, a target URL and color options.
Add a table. The Table block builds rows and columns for clean data, no HTML needed.
Save a Pattern. Build a layout once, open the three-dot menu, choose Create Pattern, and reuse it anywhere from the inserter under Patterns.
Publish. Click the blue Publish button at the top right, confirm, and your page is live.
Also Read: How to create a landing page with Gutenberg to put these blocks together into a real page.
Enhance Gutenberg with Nexter Blocks
Core Gutenberg covers the basics well. When you want more advanced layouts and design control, a block plugin fills the gap. Nexter Blocks adds 90+ extra blocks to the editor, all built specifically for Gutenberg.
You get blocks for advanced listings, menus, on-scroll animations, dynamic content and display conditions, plus prebuilt design sections you can drop in and edit. The free version is available on WordPress.org, with a paid tier for the advanced blocks and builders.
Once active, Nexter Blocks appear in the inserter next to the core blocks, so you keep using Gutenberg exactly as before with more options on hand.
Suggested Reading
- Gutenberg vs Elementor: which to use for your site, with an honest comparison.
- 7 WordPress block builders: tools that extend the Gutenberg editor.
- Best WordPress block themes for Gutenberg: themes built for Full Site Editing.
- What is a WordPress block theme: the foundation Full Site Editing needs.
- Create a landing page with Gutenberg: a practical build from scratch.
