How to Create a Custom Category Template in WordPress Block Themes (Beginner Guide)

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Want to create different layouts for specific categories in WordPress? Learn how to design a custom category template in WordPress block themes using the Site Editor and code-based method. Beginner-friendly guide.

✅ Introduction

If you’re using a WordPress block theme and want to show a different layout for posts in a specific category (like “News” or “Tutorials”), you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll walk you through two beginner-friendly methods to create a custom category template in WordPress:

• Using the Site Editor (no code)
• Using template files (for developers)

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🧠 What Is a Custom Category Template?

A custom category template is a layout that applies only to posts listed in a specific category, for example:

• /category/news/ shows a 3-column grid
• /category/tutorials/ uses a single-column layout with a sidebar

Block themes make it easy to create these templates without needing custom PHP files or plugins.

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✅ Method 1: Using the Site Editor (No Code Required)

This is the easiest way for beginners.

🪜 Step-by-Step Guide

1. Go to Appearance → Editor

• This opens the Full Site Editing (FSE) interface.

2. Click on “Templates” in the left sidebar

3. Click “Add New” → Select “Category”

• You’ll be asked to choose a category from the list.
• Example: Select “News”

4. Design Your Layout

• Add a Query Loop block
• Choose the Grid variation (set columns to 3)
• Inside the Query Loop, add:
  • Post Featured Image
  • Post Title
  • Post Excerpt
  • Post Read More
  • Post Date
• Optional: Add Columns block for a sidebar layout

5. Save the Template

• Click “Save” in the top-right corner

✅ Result:

Visit /category/news/ — and your new layout will automatically appear for that category!

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✅ Method 2: Using Template Files (Advanced but Flexible)

This method is ideal if you’re comfortable editing theme files directly.

🪜 Step-by-Step Guide

1. Open your theme’s /templates/ folder

2. Create a new file:

archive-category-news.html

Replace news with your category slug

3. Add custom layout using HTML-based blocks

Example:

<!-- wp:template-part {"slug":"header"} /-->

<!-- wp:group {"layout":{"type":"constrained"}} -->
  <!-- wp:columns -->
    <!-- wp:column {"width":"75%"} -->
      <!-- wp:query -->
        <!-- wp:post-template {"layout":{"type":"grid","columnCount":3}} -->
          <!-- wp:post-featured-image /-->
          <!-- wp:post-title /-->
          <!-- wp:post-excerpt /-->
          <!-- wp:post-read-more {"label":"Read more"} /-->
        <!-- /wp:post-template -->
      <!-- /wp:query -->
    <!-- /wp:column -->

    <!-- wp:column {"width":"25%"} -->
      <!-- wp:template-part {"slug":"sidebar"} /-->
    <!-- /wp:column -->
  <!-- /wp:columns -->
<!-- /wp:group -->

<!-- wp:template-part {"slug":"footer"} /-->

4. Save and refresh

WordPress will automatically load this file when someone visits /category/news/.

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🎯 When Should You Use Each Method?

Method	Best For	Pros	Cons
Site Editor	Beginners, visual users	No code, easy to use	Stored in DB unless exported
Template File	Developers, theme authors	File-based control, reusable	Requires FTP or theme editing

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🔍 Final Tips

• Use clear category slugs (e.g., tutorials, news)
• Combine category-specific templates with Global Styles for better design control
• Export your theme after customizing templates (using the Create Block Theme plugin)

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📚 Resources

• WordPress Block Theme Handbook
• Full Site Editing Templates
• Post Template Block

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🧩 Conclusion

Creating a custom category template in WordPress block themes is now easier than ever thanks to the Site Editor. Whether you prefer a code-free visual builder or traditional template files, WordPress gives you full flexibility to design the perfect layout for each content category.

Want to take it further? Try adding custom headers, footers, or styles per category!