Table of contents
Understanding the PSD designSlicing the PSD into assetsWriting HTML and CSS codeConverting HTML/CSS to a WordPress themeAdding interactivity and featuresMaking it responsive and mobile-friendlyTesting and deploying your themeTools and services for PSD to WordPressBenefits of converting PSD to WordPressCommon challenges (and how to fix them)Should you use a PSD to WordPress plugin?Next stepsAdditional resources
Get the industry’s fastest hosting for WordPress◦ 99.99% uptime
◦ Comprehensive security
◦ 24/7 support
Explore options

WordPress Guide → Build → PSD

PSD to WordPress: A beginner’s guide

Have a Photoshop design you’d love to turn into a real WordPress website? You’re not alone. PSD to WordPress conversion gives you full control over your site’s look, while still getting all the power of WordPress under the hood.

Let’s walk through every step to take your design from static PSD to fully functional site.

Get fast, reliable hosting for WordPress

Power your site with the industry’s fastest, most optimized WordPress hosting

WordPress.org hosting

Understanding the PSD design

Start by carefully reviewing the PSD file you want to convert. Every successful build starts with understanding what you’re working with.

  1. Open your PSD file in Adobe Photoshop or Avocode. Check each layer and group to understand the page structure—header, hero, content blocks, sidebars, and footer.
  2. Note the fonts, colors, and spacing. Record font names and sizes (you’ll need to add these in CSS), color hex codes, and margins or paddings.
  3. Look for interactive elements. Think sliders, popups, hover states, contact forms, or tabbed content. These aren’t visible in static design, so ask the designer if it’s unclear.
  4. Check for multiple screen sizes. If your PSD includes desktop, tablet, and mobile versions, you’ll be able to code a truly responsive theme.

If you didn’t create the PSD yourself, ask the designer to walk you through it or leave notes inside the file. This step saves hours later.

Slicing the PSD into assets

Slicing is the process of extracting individual visual elements from the PSD to use on your site.

  1. Open the PSD in Photoshop.
  2. Use the “Slice Tool” or “Export As” under File > Export. Slice elements like logos, background textures, icons, buttons, and any image-based items.
  3. Export slices in appropriate formats:
    • Use SVG for icons and logos if you have vector versions.
    • Use WebP for full-width or background images.
    • Use PNG for transparent graphics.
  4. Organize assets into folders:
  5. images/, icons/, backgrounds/, etc.

Bonus tip: Tools like Avocode and Figma can make asset export faster and more accurate if you’re collaborating.

Writing HTML and CSS code

Now it’s time to turn your static assets into a real web layout using code.

  1. Start a new project folder with this structure:
    psd-site/
    ├── index.html
    ├── style.css
    ├── /images
  2. Write HTML5 for structure. For example:
    <header>
    <img src=”images/logo.svg” alt=”Site Logo”>
      <nav>
        <ul>
          <li><a href=”#”>Home</a></li>
          …
        </ul>
      </nav>
    </header>
  3. Write CSS3 for styling. Link your CSS in the <head> and use selectors to match the PSD layout:
    body {
      font-family: ‘Open Sans’, sans-serif;
      background-color: #ffffff;
      margin: 0;
      padding: 0;
    }
  4. Use media queries to make it responsive:
    @media (max-width: 768px) {
      nav ul {
        flex-direction: column;
      }
    }
  5. Preview in your browser regularly by opening index.html.

Don’t use inline CSS or outdated HTML tags like <center> or <font>. Stick to semantic HTML5 and external stylesheets.

Converting HTML/CSS to a WordPress theme

Once your static site is working and responsive, you’ll convert it into a WordPress theme.

  1. Create a new folder inside /wp-content/themes/, e.g. psd-theme.
  2. Add the required theme files:
    • style.css – add theme header info at the top:
      /*
      Theme Name: PSD Theme
      Author: Your Name
      Description: Custom theme from a PSD
      Version: 1.0
      */
    • index.php – this is your main page template.
    • functions.php – to enqueue styles and scripts.
      function psdtheme_scripts() {
        wp_enqueue_style(‘style’, get_stylesheet_uri());
      }
      add_action(‘wp_enqueue_scripts’, ‘psdtheme_scripts’);
  3. Break up your HTML into WordPress template parts:
    • header.php – open with <!DOCTYPE html>, <head>, and <header>
    • footer.php – close your layout and insert <?php wp_footer(); ?>
    • sidebar.php – if your PSD has a sidebar
    • Use get_header();, get_footer();, and get_sidebar(); in index.php
  4. Replace static content with WordPress functions. Examples:
    • <?php bloginfo(‘name’); ?> instead of hard-coded site title
    • <?php wp_nav_menu(); ?> instead of HTML nav
    • <?php the_content(); ?> for page/post content
  5. Activate the theme in WordPress admin. Go to Appearance > Themes and activate your new PSD-based theme.

Adding interactivity and features

Now it’s time to make the site dynamic and user-friendly.

  • Use plugins like Contact Form 7 for forms or Smart Slider 3 for sliders.
  • Use functions.php to register menus, post types, or widget areas:
    function psdtheme_setup() {
      register_nav_menus([‘primary’ => ‘Primary Menu’]);
      add_theme_support(‘post-thumbnails’);
    }
    add_action(‘after_setup_theme’, ‘psdtheme_setup’);
  • Add widgets to sidebars and footers if needed.
  • Use JavaScript or jQuery for interactive tabs, modals, or animations.

Making it responsive and mobile-friendly

Even if your HTML was responsive, some changes may be needed inside the WordPress loop.

  • Add viewport meta tag in header.php:
    <meta name=”viewport” content=”width=device-width, initial-scale=1″>
  • Use percentages or rem/em instead of pixels in your styles
  • Make sure text and buttons are easy to tap
  • Test using browser dev tools, Chrome’s device toolbar, or Responsively App

Testing and deploying your theme

Final checks help avoid live site headaches.

  • Test locally or on a staging server.
  • Check compatibility in major browsers.
  • Use W3C validator for HTML/CSS cleanup.
  • Install the theme on your live server:
    • Upload via FTP to /wp-content/themes/
    • Or zip and install via Appearance > Themes > Add New
  • Backup your site before going live using a plugin like UpdraftPlus

Tools and services for PSD to WordPress

There are several tools and services that can simplify your workflow or take the entire conversion process off your hands. Whether you want help slicing designs, writing code, or building layouts visually, these resources can make a big difference.

PSD slicing and inspection tools

Avocode: Avocode lets you open and inspect PSD, Sketch, Figma, and XD files without Photoshop. It provides detailed code snippets for CSS, HTML, and Swift, and makes asset export as simple as clicking a button. Designers can annotate files, and developers can grab everything they need directly from the browser.

Figma: Figma is a powerful web-based design tool that supports PSD import via plugins. Once imported, you can inspect layers, export images, and collaborate in real time. Its developer handoff features—like design specs and CSS snippets—make it ideal for converting static designs into live web layouts.

Export Kit: Export Kit is a Photoshop plugin that automatically generates HTML, CSS, and JavaScript from your PSD file. It promises to convert entire designs into responsive layouts and even includes support for Bootstrap grids. However, the exported code often needs heavy cleanup and isn’t a substitute for manual theme development.

WordPress page builders

Elementor: Elementor is a drag-and-drop page builder that lets you recreate PSD layouts without touching code. You can build headers, footers, and responsive sections visually, and extend functionality using add-ons or Pro features. It’s beginner-friendly, making it a good option for non-developers who still want pixel-perfect control.

Beaver Builder: Beaver Builder offers a clean, intuitive interface for designing WordPress pages based on your PSD layout. It supports live front-end editing, custom modules, and responsive controls out of the box. While not as feature-packed as Elementor Pro, it’s known for producing cleaner code and better performance.

PSD to WordPress conversion services

CSSChopper: CSSChopper offers manual PSD to WordPress conversion services with a focus on clean, W3C-compliant code. They support responsive layouts, WooCommerce integration, and custom plugin development if needed. The company works with both individual designers and large agencies on custom theme projects.

GetDevDone: GetDevDone is known for converting PSD files into high-performance, SEO-friendly WordPress themes. Their team follows WordPress coding standards, offers cross-browser testing, and supports Gutenberg or Elementor integration. Turnaround times are fast, and they’re a popular choice for agencies outsourcing theme builds.

HTMLPanda: HTMLPanda focuses on converting PSD designs into secure and responsive WordPress themes that support custom content types and plugins. They provide scalable solutions for businesses of all sizes and guarantee compatibility with all major browsers. Their services also include performance optimization and ADA compliance upon request.

Benefits of converting PSD to WordPress

Turning a PSD into a WordPress theme combines the precision of custom design with the flexibility of a content management system. Here’s why many designers and agencies choose this workflow:

  • Pixel-perfect control. You can match your design exactly—every color, font, and layout element translates to your website.
  • Affordable customization. Converting a PSD is often cheaper than hiring a developer to build a theme from scratch, especially if you already have the design.
  • Scalability. WordPress supports thousands of plugins and integrations, allowing your site to grow with your needs.
  • CMS power. Clients and content teams can easily edit, update, and manage site content using WordPress’s user-friendly backend.
  • SEO readiness. WordPress themes can be optimized for SEO right from the start using structured code and popular SEO plugins like Yoast or AIOSEO.
  • Theme ownership. Unlike marketplace themes, a custom PSD-based theme belongs to you and won’t be used by thousands of other sites.

Common challenges (and how to fix them)

While PSD to WordPress has major benefits, it’s not without its difficulties. Here are the most common obstacles beginners face—and how to deal with them.

  • Responsive layout issues: Static PSD files usually show only the desktop layout, so you’ll need to interpret how it should look on tablets and phones.
  • Custom functionality needs: Features like filters, advanced search, or dynamic content often require PHP coding or plugins like ACF or CPT UI.
  • Slow page speed: High-resolution images from the PSD may look great but can cause long load times—optimize them with tools like TinyPNG or WebP converters.
  • Browser inconsistencies: Elements may behave differently in Safari, Firefox, or mobile browsers; testing in multiple browsers is essential.
  • Code bloat from visual tools: Using page builders or auto-export tools can generate messy code if not handled carefully, affecting both performance and maintainability.
  • Accessibility concerns: PSD designs often overlook accessibility—ensure your theme includes proper heading structure, alt tags, and keyboard navigation.
  • Ongoing maintenance: A custom theme means you’re responsible for future updates and compatibility fixes, unless you hire a developer or use a child theme setup.

Should you use a PSD to WordPress plugin?

Short answer: No—at least not for the full conversion.There are tools that claim to convert PSDs directly to WordPress. But in reality, these often:

  • Produce messy, bloated code
  • Don’t match real-world WordPress theme structure
  • Miss critical dynamic elements and template hierarchy

Use tools like Avocode or Figma to speed up slicing and inspection. But for the actual theme, either build it manually (as shown above) or hire a service. A plugin won’t do the job well enough for a live production site.

Additional resources

How to build a WordPress site →

A complete beginner’s guide that covers 9 key steps to a successful launch

Give your website the dark mode treatment (WordPress) →

Learn how to enable dark mode on your WordPress website to enhance user experience and reduce eye strain.




































How to use WordPress Gutenberg blocks →

A complete beginner’s guide to Gutenberg blocks