Classic editor vs block editor
Understand the difference between WordPress's two editing experiences so you know which one you're using and what to expect.
WordPress has two different editing interfaces. You might be using one or the other — or your site might even offer a choice between them. This guide explains the difference so there's no confusion.
Quick summary
The block editor (also called Gutenberg) is the modern WordPress editor introduced in 2018. It builds pages using individual content blocks. The classic editor is the older, simpler editor — it looks more like a word processor. Chykalophia typically builds sites using the block editor, but some sites keep the classic editor via a plugin.
The block editor
The block editor — officially called Gutenberg — is the default editor in WordPress since version 5.0 (released in 2018). Every new WordPress site uses it unless a plugin has been installed to replace it.
What it looks like: The editing area is clean and minimal. Content is displayed in its actual layout — you can see roughly what the finished page will look like as you build it. Each piece of content sits in its own separate box (a "block") with its own controls.
How you work in it: You add blocks for each type of content — a paragraph, a heading, an image, a button. You can click on any block to select it, then drag to rearrange, or use the settings panel on the right to change its appearance.
For a full guide to using it, see getting started with the block editor.
The classic editor
The classic editor is the original WordPress editing interface. It was replaced by the block editor in 2018 but can still be installed as a plugin called "Classic Editor."
What it looks like: A single text area, similar to Microsoft Word or Google Docs. There's a toolbar of formatting buttons across the top — bold, italic, bullet lists, headings, and so on. Below that is a blank area where you type your content.
How you work in it: You type and format content the same way you would in a word processor. You can't drag elements around or see a visual preview while you write.
Side-by-side comparison
| Block editor | Classic editor | |
|---|---|---|
| Introduced | 2018 (WordPress 5.0) | Before 2018 |
| Still maintained? | Yes — the current standard | Yes — as a plugin |
| Content structure | Individual blocks | Single rich text area |
| Visual preview | Yes — WYSIWYG | Partial |
| Drag & drop | Yes | No |
| Learning curve | Moderate | Lower for people used to word processors |
| Used on new sites | Yes (default) | Only if the plugin is installed |
WYSIWYG means "What You See Is What You Get." The editor shows approximately what the published page will look like.
How to tell which editor you're using
Open any page or post for editing. Look at the editing area:
- If you see separate blocks with individual toolbars and a clean layout — you're in the block editor.
- If you see a single text area with a row of formatting buttons at the top (bold, italic, alignment, etc.) — you're in the classic editor.
Another clue: look at the top of the editing screen. The block editor has a clean top bar with a Publish or Update button on the right. The classic editor has more traditional menus and options.
Which one does Chykalophia use?
Chykalophia builds sites using the block editor. When we design a custom layout or theme, we build it to work with the block editor.
Some older sites that were built before 2018 — or migrated to Chykalophia from a previous developer — may still use the classic editor via the Classic Editor plugin. If you're unsure which editor is on your site, just ask us.
Can I switch between them?
In most cases, yes — but we recommend checking with us before making any change. Switching editing interfaces can affect how content is displayed, especially if content was built specifically for one editor or the other.
Easy to miss
If your site was built with a specific page builder (like Elementor), you may be using a third kind of editor entirely. In that case, neither the classic nor the block editor applies — you'd use the Elementor editor instead.
Common questions
Related guides
- Getting started with the block editor
- Working with blocks
- How to edit a page
- A tour of the WordPress dashboard
Need a hand?
Learn more
Getting started with the block editor
A beginner's guide to the WordPress block editor (Gutenberg) — how to write, add content, and publish pages and posts.
Pages vs posts — what's the difference?
Learn the difference between WordPress pages and posts so you always know which one to use for your content.