About Patterns

A quick guide for building WordPress patterns.

This guide can help you create amazing patterns that can be used on any WordPress site.

What is a WordPress pattern?

A WordPress pattern is a collection of blocks arranged together into an thoughtful, intentional, opinionated section for a page of post. Once inserted into a page, the author can edit and customize the blocks to their needs.

Patterns make it incredibly simple to add complex layouts and designs to any WordPress site without having to start from scratch every time. Patterns can also highlight and expose features and combinations of blocks that may not be immediately obvious or intuitive.

Guidelines

People will be able to use submitted patterns without cost or attribution. To submit a pattern, you must have the copyright or other legal right for anything you submit. Remember, WordPress is family friendly! Patterns that include anything illegal, dishonest, or morally offensive will be removed. The Block Pattern Directory is moderated by volunteers, and we reserve the right to reject or remove submissions for reasons not explicitly listed.

Patterns should be submitted in English, any patterns submitted in other languages will be declined. Patterns will be translated through translate.wordpress.org.

Use a descriptive name for your pattern. Names like „Test“ or „My Pattern“ will be declined.

Every WordPress users benefits when you share your patterns and help democratize design.

Quick tips

  • Use the Group block to control spacing and color for more than one block at a time.
  • Use the Cover block to control your pattern’s height, including min-height and full-viewport designs.
  • If your pattern contains numerous root-level blocks it can be helpful to Group them all together. This makes it easier to move your pattern around once inserted.

Do’s

  • Good patterns combine multiple blocks together to create interesting or useful layouts that would normally be complicated to create from scratch.
  • A good pattern highlights the capabilities of the blocks they contain and provide a perfect starting point for customizing their content
  • A good pattern is opinionated and has a well defined purpose.
  • A good pattern keeps placeholder text to a minimum.

Don’ts

  • Patterns that contain a single block are unlikely to be useful.
  • Overly simplistic patterns, like a single Paragraph with colors don’t save time or present a compelling purpose.
  • Patterns shouldn’t be designed for a single theme.
  • A pattern shouldn’t be a full page or blog post.