Table of contents

Why add dark mode to your WordPress site?1. Use a dark mode plugin to add front-end dark mode2. Enable dark mode for the WordPress admin panel3. Add dark mode manually using CSS and JavaScriptCustomize the dark mode experienceConsider accessibility and performanceNext stepsAdditional resources

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WordPress Guide → Build → Give Website Dark Mode

Give your website the dark mode treatment (WordPress)

Dark mode isn’t just trendy—it’s practical. Whether you’re building a blog, a store, or a custom app, giving users the option to switch to a dark interface makes your site more accessible, easier on the eyes, and more enjoyable at night.

Let’s walk through several easy ways to enable dark mode on your WordPress site, with or without plugins.

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Why add dark mode to your WordPress site?

Dark mode benefits both your visitors and your design:

Reduces eye strain, especially in low-light environments.
Adds a sleek, modern feel to your site design.
Helps save battery life on OLED screens.
Improves accessibility for some users with visual sensitivities.
Gives visitors a sense of control over their browsing experience.

1. Use a dark mode plugin to add front-end dark mode

The easiest way to implement dark mode is with a plugin—no code required, and plenty of customization options. WP Dark Mode plugin is a popular option:

Go to Plugins > Add New and search for WP Dark Mode.
Click Install Now, then Activate.
Visit Settings > WP Dark Mode to adjust your preferences.

Key features:

Toggle switch for site visitors to switch modes anytime.
Time-based automatic dark mode.
Multiple prebuilt color themes and toggle switch styles.
OS-aware dark mode that responds to system settings.

You can also upgrade to WP Dark Mode Pro for Elementor and Gutenberg compatibility, WooCommerce styling, and page-level dark mode control.

Alternative dark mode plugins

These free plugins also provide solid dark mode functionality and styles:

DarkLooks – Lightweight, responsive, and supports time-based switching.
Dracula Dark Mode – Inspired by the Dracula color palette, with a clean, coding-themed aesthetic.
Darklup – Feature-rich with live preview and RTL support.

2. Enable dark mode for the WordPress admin panel

You can make the WordPress dashboard easier on your eyes, too, which is especially useful for late-night editing.

In the WP Dark Mode settings, toggle on Enable Backend Dark Mode.

If you want to use the built-in WordPress settings:

Navigate to Users > Profile in your dashboard.
Scroll to Admin Color Scheme and select “Midnight” or any darker option.
Click Update Profile to save.

This doesn’t fully invert the admin UI, but it helps reduce brightness.

3. Add dark mode manually using CSS and JavaScript

If you prefer not to use plugins, or want full control, custom coding is a flexible option.

Basic steps:

Create dark mode styles in your theme’s CSS using a .dark-mode class. Define new background, text, and link colors.
Add a toggle switch in your theme’s header or footer.
Use JavaScript to toggle the .dark-mode class on the <body> element.
Store user preference in localStorage so it persists across visits.
Optionally, use this snippet to detect system settings:

if (window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)').matches) {
  document.body.classList.add('dark-mode');
}

Manual implementation requires testing and maintenance but gives you complete creative control.

Customize the dark mode experience

Dark mode shouldn’t be an afterthought. Make it feel like part of your design:

Choose custom colors to match your brand identity.
Adjust toggle button placement, size, and icon style.
Enable smooth transitions between modes for a polished effect.
Exclude specific pages or sections if needed (e.g., product pages or light-themed graphics).
Test on mobile, tablet, and desktop to ensure legibility.

Premium plugins like WP Dark Mode and Darklup offer more advanced customization options if needed.

Consider accessibility and performance

Dark mode should enhance usability—not hurt it. Keep these best practices in mind:

Maintain high contrast between background and text.
Avoid pure black backgrounds; dark gray is often easier to read.
Watch out for image visibility—some light images may need alternate versions.
Use toggle scripts that load asynchronously or after content, to avoid FOUC (flash of unstyled content).
Ensure toggle controls are keyboard- and screen-reader-friendly.

Accessibility and performance go hand-in-hand. A well-implemented dark mode can reduce bounce rates and improve engagement.

Next steps for enabling dark mode in WordPress

Giving your WordPress site the dark mode treatment is more than just a visual upgrade—it improves usability, reduces strain, and brings your design up to modern standards. Whether you want a one-click plugin or a fully custom-coded experience, WordPress makes it possible.

Start by trying WP Dark Mode and customizing the user experience from there. If you’re feeling adventurous, explore the manual CSS/JS method to get pixel-perfect results.

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