Table of contents

Why responsive tables matterOption 1 – Use the WordPress block editor (for simple tables)Option 2 – Use a responsive table plugin (for advanced layouts)Option 3 – Create responsive tables with HTML and CSSBest practicesNext stepsAdditional resources

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WordPress Guide → Build → Responsive Table

How to make a responsive table in WordPress

Tables are a great way to organize information, but they’re notoriously hard to make mobile-friendly. Whether you’re listing product specs, publishing pricing comparisons, or creating a schedule, a responsive table ensures every visitor gets the full picture—no matter the device.

Let’s walk through the best ways to make responsive tables in WordPress, from no-code options to full custom control.

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Why responsive tables matter in WordPress

Standard HTML tables don’t adapt well to narrow screens. On mobile devices, columns can shrink too small, break layout alignment, or force horizontal scrolling that users ignore. That’s a big problem if your table contains key content.

Responsive tables improve:

Mobile readability
User experience
Time on page
SEO performance

They also help ensure your data is accessible to all users, including those with screen readers or limited mobility.

Option 1 – Use the WordPress block editor (for simple tables)

The Table block in the WordPress block editor works well for basic layouts and short lists. It doesn’t offer true responsiveness, but you can work around that for smaller datasets.

How to add and configure a Table block

Go to your post or page and click the + icon to add a block.
Select the “Table” block.
Choose the number of columns and rows.
Enter your data into each cell.
Use the block settings panel to adjust alignment, header options, and color.

You can add or delete rows and columns later as needed.

Limitations of the Table block for responsiveness

The default Table block doesn’t include features like:

Horizontal scrolling on mobile
Hiding columns for small screens
Responsive stacking or prioritization

If your table has more than 2–3 columns, it may become unreadable on phones. That’s where plugins or custom code can help.

Option 2 – Use a responsive table plugin (for advanced layouts)

Plugins make it easier to build mobile-friendly tables with more control. Many include features like sorting, filtering, column visibility, and responsive breakpoints out of the box.

Ninja Tables

Ninja Tables is one of the most popular responsive table plugins for WordPress. It’s fast, beginner-friendly, and works well with WooCommerce and custom post types.

Features include:

Drag-and-drop table builder
Responsive modes (stacked, scroll, hidden columns)
Conditional formatting
Import/export from CSV or Google Sheets

How to set it up:

Go to Plugins > Add New, search for Ninja Tables, and install/activate it.
In your WordPress dashboard, go to Ninja Tables > All Tables > Add Table.
Enter your table title and configure your columns and data.
Click the Table Design tab to enable responsive options (toggle columns, scroll, stack).
Use the shortcode or block to insert the table on any post or page.

Other solid plugin choices:

Option 3 – Create responsive tables with HTML and CSS

For developers or advanced users, hand-coding your tables provides the most flexibility and speed. You can write cleaner, lighter code than most plugins—just be ready to test on multiple devices.

Sample HTML/CSS responsive table

Paste the following into a Custom HTML block or template:

<div style="overflow-x:auto;">
  <table>
    <thead>
      <tr>
        <th>Feature</th>
        <th>Plan A</th>
        <th>Plan B</th>
      </tr>
    </thead>
    <tbody>
      <tr>
        <td>Storage</td>
        <td>10GB</td>
        <td>50GB</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>Support</td>
        <td>Email</td>
        <td>24/7 Chat</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>

This method wraps the table in a scrollable container on smaller screens. You can also use CSS media queries to stack or hide columns.

When to choose custom code over plugins

Go with code when:

You want complete layout control
You’re optimizing for performance
You need fewer dependencies

Stick to plugins if you want built-in sorting, styling, or interactivity.

Accessibility and responsive tables: best practices

Responsiveness shouldn’t come at the cost of usability. If your tables are hard to navigate for screen readers or touch users, it hurts more than helps.

Use proper table markup

Always use:

<thead>, <tbody>, and <tfoot> where applicable
<th> for header cells
scope=”col” or scope=”row” to define relationships
ARIA labels only if the visual layout deviates from standard markup

Avoid hiding essential data on small screens

Instead of removing columns, consider:

Stackable rows that group data vertically
Expandable details for mobile (accordion-style)

This way, mobile users don’t miss out on important info.

Test table behavior on screen readers and mobile devices

Use:

NVDA or VoiceOver for screen reader testing
Chrome DevTools for responsive emulation
Lighthouse for accessibility scoring

Accessibility improvements benefit everyone—and are required for many organizations.

Next steps for making responsive tables in WordPress

Responsive tables improve readability and usability across all screen sizes. Whether you use the block editor, a plugin like Ninja Tables, or custom code, there’s a flexible option for your site.

Start by testing your current tables on mobile and seeing what breaks. From there, choose the method that fits your comfort level and content needs.

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