Table of contents

Standard WordPress post formatsStandard WordPress postAsideGalleryLinkImageQuoteStatusVideoAudioChatHow to use WordPress post formatsGetting startedAdditional resources

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WordPress Guide → Post → Formats

WordPress post formats (and which pokemon they would be)

Ever wondered why some WordPress posts look completely different from others, even on the same site? That’s probably post formats in action. Whether you’re publishing videos, photo galleries, or short quotes, post formats help you style each type of content the right way—without needing to mess with code.

Let’s walk through each format, when to use it, and how to make it look great.

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Standard WordPress post formats

WordPress includes several built-in post formats. Think of them like pre-defined layout styles that theme developers can use to display different types of content in a way that makes sense for that content type.

Here are the default formats you’ll find in most themes:

Standard – The default layout for blog posts
Aside – A quick note or thought, without a title
Gallery – A collection of images
Link – A single external link you want to share
Image – One featured image with optional text
Quote – A pulled-out quote with attribution
Status – A short, tweet-style update
Video – A single video embedded in the post
Audio – A podcast episode, music file, or audio clip
Chat – A conversation-style layout

Let’s break these down and see how to use them effectively.

Standard WordPress post

The “Standard” format is what WordPress uses when you don’t select a specific post format. It includes a title, body content, images, and other elements in your theme’s default layout.

This is a typical blog post—something like, “What is server clustering?” It includes a few subheadings, a featured image, and some body text with links and screenshots. Nothing fancy, just good content.

Think of the standard WordPress post as Pikachu: Reliable, iconic, and it always works. Just like Pikachu is the face of the franchise, the Standard post is the default go-to. It does everything decently well and plays nice with every theme.

Aside

The “Aside” format is great for short blurbs, notes, or quick thoughts. Most themes don’t display a title for asides, making them perfect for off-the-cuff commentary.

These are helpful if you want to share a quick tip: “Use the Site Health tool under Tools → Site Health to find performance and security issues.” No need for a full post—just a useful reminder.

Asides are like Diglett—small bursts of info that don’t overstay their welcome. No need for titles or extra styling. Just a quick hit of content from underground.

Gallery

Use the “Gallery” format to showcase a group of images. Some themes will use sliders, grids, or lightboxes depending on how they’re built.

For example, maybe you just wrapped a photo shoot for a real estate listing and want to share the best shots. Upload the images, assign the gallery format, and let your theme handle the layout.

It’s Butterfree: Beautiful and meant to show off.

Link

The “Link” format is designed for sharing a single external URL. Some themes will make the entire post title clickable, while others highlight the link itself.

This is great if you find a resource your audience might appreciate and want to share it with your readers. Just pop in the link, assign the format, and publish.

Links are like Abra: Here, then gone. Abra’s whole thing is teleportation; the Link format is all about redirecting attention somewhere else. Get it?

Image

The “Image” format focuses on a single photo or image. This is perfect when the image is the star of the show.

Maybe you’re a food blogger and want to share a gorgeous shot of your latest dish. Use the image format and let your theme give it center stage, with optional caption or text.

Image post formats reminds me of Snorlax: big, takes up space, and demands attention. Snorlax doesn’t need to say much—it’s just there, front and center. Same with the Image post. It’s one visual that does all the heavy lifting.

Quote

The “Quote” format is built to highlight a single quote, typically with an author attribution. Most themes will style these differently—pull quotes, larger text, or special fonts.

Maybe you come across a quote that fits the theme of your site and you just want to share it on its own—with no additional thoughts or commentary (for now). The Quote format is perfect.

The Quote post format is Alakazam because of that big-brain energy.

Status

The “Status” format mimics a social media post—short and informal. Most themes drop the title and just display the content.

This is helpful if you ever want to give a quick update: “Liquid Web now offers gaming servers to power your game development!”

Think of it like Meowth: short, snappy, and probably talking. That’s the feel of a Status post—quick updates, attitude optional.

Video

The “Video” format is made to feature embedded video content. Themes using this format usually prioritize the video itself, placing it front and center.

Maybe you’re publishing a product demo from YouTube or Vimeo. Just embed the video, set the format to Video, and you’re good to go.

The video post format’s spirit Pokemon is Charizard. It’s flashy, loud, and always steals the spotlight.

Audio

The “Audio” format lets you feature music, podcast episodes, or interviews. Most themes support native WordPress audio embeds or players like SoundCloud.

There are some great audio plugins to help with this, but the standard Audio post format is nice. Whether you’re releasing a new podcast episode or single, listeners can hit play directly in the post. Upload the MP3 or paste in the link, and the format takes care of the rest.

You know the Audio format is Jigglypuff, because it’s all about the sound.

Chat

The “Chat” format lets you present conversations in a styled way. Some themes add alternating colors or indentation for clarity.

One good use for these is sharing a customer support convo, like:

User: How do I reset my password?
Support: Just click “Forgot Password” on the login screen.
User: Found it. Thanks!

This can be fun for storytelling, tutorials, or interviews. Chat posts are weirdly niche and often underused—just like Rotom. But when used right, they’re also dynamic, quirky, and full of personality.

How to use WordPress post formats

Post formats only show up in themes that support them. You’ll typically see the option in the right sidebar of the post editor or under “Post” settings.

To use one:

Open a new post or edit an existing one.
In the editor sidebar, find the “Post Format” dropdown.
Select the format that matches your content type.
Add your content and hit publish.

Some block-based themes hide the format selector by default. In that case, you might need to add it using a plugin like Post Format UI, or switch to a theme that actively supports them.

Getting started with WordPress post formats

Post formats are a fast, flexible way to make your content stand out—especially if your theme styles them well. They keep your site feeling dynamic without adding bloat or complexity.

If your theme doesn’t support post formats or only uses a few, consider switching to one that does, or try adding support manually if you’re comfortable editing theme files.

Next step: Test each post format on your current theme. See how it handles images, quotes, or video. You’ll get a feel for which ones actually improve your content—and which ones to skip.

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