How to Remove Powered by WordPress from the Footer 

If you want to give your WordPress site a professional and customized look, one of the first steps is removing the default “Powered by WordPress” text from the footer. While harmless, this footer credit can make your site look less unique. Some users also prefer to remove it for security reasons, as it can reveal the CMS being used. 

The good news? Since WordPress is under the GPL license, you are free to modify or remove this credit without any copyright concerns. 

This guide covers two reliable methods to remove powered by WordPress from footer: 

• Removing it manually through the Theme File Editor 

• Removing it using a plugin 

1. How to Remove Powered by WordPress Manually from the Theme File Editor 

The manual method gives you complete control, but it does require editing your theme’s files. 

Step 1: Open the Theme File Editor 

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard. 

2. Depending on your theme, open the Theme File Editor: 

• For default themes like Twenty Twenty or Twenty Twenty-One, go to Appearance, then select Theme File Editor. 

• For newer themes such as YITH Wonder or other modern builders, go to Tools, then select Theme File Editor. 

Step 2: Select the Footer File 

1. On the right-hand side, under Theme Files, locate and click on footer.php. 

Step 3: Find and Remove the Footer Credit Code 

1. Look for a block of code similar to this (the exact text may vary depending on your theme): 

<p class=”powered-by-wordpress”> 
  <a href=”<?php echo esc_url( __( ‘https://wordpress.org/‘, ‘twentytwenty’ ) ); ?>”> 
    <?php _e( ‘Powered by WordPress’, ‘twentytwenty’ ); ?> 
  </a> 
</p> 

Note: For this example, Twenty Twenty is the name of the theme, so it can show a different name on your theme editor, depending on what you’re currently using. 

Here’s an example from the Theme editor: 

2. Delete this section and click Update File to save your changes. 

Important: Any future theme updates may overwrite your custom changes, causing the footer credit to reappear. If that happens, you’ll need to repeat this process or consider using a child theme to preserve your edits. 

2. How to Remove Powered by WordPress Using a Plugin 

If you’re not comfortable editing code, plugins offer a quick alternative. However, compatibility depends on the theme you’re using. 

Step 1: Install the Plugin 

1. From your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins, then select Add Plugin. 

2. Search for Remove “Powered by WordPress” and click “Install.” 

3. Now, click “Activate.” 

Step 2: Configure the Plugin 

1. For supported themes, the plugin will automatically remove the “Powered by WordPress” text from the footer. 

2. To access additional settings, go to Plugins, then select Installed Plugins. 

3. Locate Remove “Powered by WordPress” (or the plugin you installed) and click Settings. 

4. If the plugin supports your WordPress theme, you may be able to replace or use the theme customizer to edit the footer text. 

Summary 

You can remove the “Powered by WordPress” footer in two ways: 

1. Manual Editing: Directly remove the footer code from the footer.php file via the Theme File Editor. Works universally but may be overwritten after theme updates. 

2. Plugin Method: Easier for beginners, but only compatible with specific themes. Not guaranteed to work with modern or custom themes. 

For long-term reliability, using a child theme or a supported theme customization option is recommended.