Caching on Kinsta

Kinsta includes a powerful server-level caching system that makes your WordPress site load fast for every visitor. It's built in, requires no plugins, and can be cleared with one click when needed.

How Kinsta caching works

Kinsta runs a full-page cache (Kinsta calls it server caching) on its own servers for every site it hosts. When a visitor loads a page:

1. Kinsta checks if a cached version exists.
2. If yes, it serves the cached page instantly — no PHP or database processing needed.
3. If no, it builds the page, serves it to the visitor, and caches it for next time.

This means the first visitor to a page after a cache clear triggers a fresh build; every visitor after that gets the fast cached version.

What Kinsta caches

Kinsta's cache applies to:

• Standard public-facing pages and posts
• Archives (like blog post lists and category pages)

Kinsta has built-in rules that automatically bypass the cache for:

• Logged-in users and the WordPress dashboard
• The private pages of a store or membership site — cart, checkout and account pages
• Anything else matching the private addresses and cookies Kinsta excludes as standard

This means your experience as a logged-in site editor may differ from what a visitor sees. Always check your site in a private/incognito browser window to see the cached visitor experience.

If a page on your site needs to stay fresh for every visitor (a custom login or account page, for example), Kinsta's support team can add a rule to bypass the cache for it. Ask us if you think you need one.

Checking your cache performance

MyKinsta's Analytics section has a Cache area that shows how many requests were served from the cache (hits) and how many missed or bypassed it, plus the pages that bypass the cache most often. More hits generally means a faster site and less work for the server.

Clearing the cache in MyKinsta

When you make significant changes to your site and want visitors to see them immediately:

Clearing the cache from WordPress

The Kinsta MU plugin, which Kinsta installs on every site it hosts, adds cache-clearing controls directly in WordPress:

Common questions

Why are my changes not showing up after I save them?

Visitors may be seeing a cached version of the old page. Clear the Kinsta cache and then reload your site in a private browser window. See also my changes aren't showing up.

Do I need a caching plugin on Kinsta?

No. Kinsta handles caching on the server, and as a rule it doesn't allow caching plugins — try to install one on its banned list and the install is blocked. (Kinsta names WP Rocket as a plugin it used to ban and now partners with.) We don't install separate caching plugins on Kinsta sites.

Does Kinsta cache WooCommerce stores?

Yes. Kinsta has caching rules for standard WooCommerce stores, and it excludes the pages that have to stay live for each shopper — cart, checkout and account pages. A customized store can need extra rules, which Kinsta's support team can add.

How often does the cache automatically refresh?

Cached pages expire on their own after 24 hours by default, and that can be made longer in MyKinsta under Caching > Server Caching > Change cache expiration. Ask us if you want it changed on your site. Updating a post or page should also clear the relevant cached pages automatically, and you can clear the whole cache by hand at any time.

Related guides

• The MyKinsta dashboard explained
• Caching on WP Engine
• What is a CDN?
• My changes aren't showing up
• Hosting & speed

Learn more

• Kinsta Docs: Caching