Block patterns are pre-designed arrangements of WordPress blocks that you can insert into your content with a single click. These ready-made designs or layouts include a combination of several blocks, such as paragraphs, images, headings, buttons, and more.
Using block patterns can save you time when building complex layouts because a lot of the design work is already done for you. You can use the same block patterns across your site to make it look consistent and professional.
Block patterns are available in the block editor when creating content and in the full site editor when customizing your theme.
Why Use WordPress Block Patterns?
WordPress block patterns are pre-made collections of blocks for creating custom layouts. Instead of having to add all the blocks one by one, patterns allow you to quickly add design elements made up of multiple blocks.
Block patterns are available as you create and edit WordPress content in the block editor. They allow users to quickly create beautiful layouts for their posts and pages.
You can find the available patterns by opening the block inserter and clicking on the ‘Patterns’ tab. The patterns are arranged in categories such as banners, calls to action, footers, headers, and more. A small preview of each pattern is also displayed.
Since WordPress 6.4, you can also use block patterns when customizing block themes using the full site editor.
The ‘Patterns’ tab shows your patterns organized in categories.
The specific patterns you see will depend on your WordPress version, theme, and plugins.
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How to Use Block Patterns in WordPress
To add a block pattern to your content, you first need to edit the WordPress post or page where you wish to place the pattern.
You can then browse the Patterns tab within the block inserter, as described above.
Once you find a pattern you want to use, simply click it, and it will be inserted into the content area of your post or page.
Although a pattern is a group of prearranged blocks, you can still edit each block individually.
You can add as many patterns to a post or page as you need and easily delete them like you would delete any WordPress block.
You can learn more in our beginner’s guide on how to use WordPress block patterns.
Where to Get Block Patterns
You can add block patterns to your WordPress website from a number of sources:
- Core patterns are included in WordPress by default.
- Theme patterns are provided by your WordPress theme, and these will usually match the theme’s style.
- Plugin patterns are added by third-party plugins and offer specialized features and layouts.
- Custom block patterns can be created by you and others to meet the unique requirements of your website.
- The WordPress Pattern Directory contains patterns shared by the WordPress community.
What’s the Difference Between Block Patterns and Reusable Blocks?
Block patterns and reusable blocks both let you easily add commonly used blocks. However, they do this in very different ways.
With a reusable block, you save a single block that contains custom content and formatting. However, if you edit the block, then the changes will be visible everywhere you have used that block. You can make reusable blocks uneditable to stop this from happening accidentally.
On the other hand, a block pattern lets you add multiple blocks at once with custom content, formatting, and layout. Any edits made to the blocks in a pattern will only affect the current post or page.
We hope this article helped you learn more about block patterns in WordPress. You may also want to see our Additional Reading list below for related articles on useful WordPress tips, tricks, and ideas.
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