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Getting started · 1.2

Installing WordPress on your host

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The short version

  • Your host must run a few tools that WordPress needs.
  • Installing means getting the files onto your host and running a short setup.
  • Many hosts can do it for you. If yours cannot, you can do it by hand.
  • At the end you log in at /wp-admin on your own domain.

What your host needs

WordPress is built to be easy to install.[1] The install often takes less than five minutes.[1]

First, check that your host can run it. WordPress asks for three things:[2]

  • PHP version 8.3 or greater. PHP is a programming language, and WordPress is built on it.[3]
  • A database: MariaDB version 10.11 or greater, or MySQL version 8.0 or greater. A database is where WordPress keeps your posts.[4]
  • HTTPS support. This is the secure version of the web address you see in a browser.
The Requirements page on WordPress.org, listing the PHP, database and HTTPS support a host needs.
WordPress.org lists what a host must support. Screenshot: WordPress.org, captured 2026-10-18.

Any server that supports PHP and MySQL will do.[2] If you are not sure about your host, you can ask it. WordPress.org even gives you words to copy and send.[2]

Easy way: let your host do it

Many web hosts offer tools that install WordPress for you.[1] Look in your host's control panel for a WordPress option. If it is there, use it. You can then skip to the setup screen further down.

By hand: the five steps

Here is the by-hand route, in order.[1]

Five numbered steps: download and unzip WordPress, create a database, optionally set up wp-config.php, upload the files, then run the install script in your browser.
The five install steps.
  1. Download and unzip the WordPress package from the WordPress.org download page.
  2. Make a database on your host. Also make a database user with full rights to it.[1] Your host may have done this for you already. It may also have a tool that does it.[1]
  3. Add your database details to a file called wp-config.php. This step is optional. If you skip it, the install program makes the file for you.[1]
  4. Upload the files to your web server.[1]
  5. Run the install script. Open your site in a web browser.[1] For a site at example.com, the address is example.com/wp-admin/install.php.[1]

If WordPress cannot find its config file, it asks for your database details and writes the file for you.[1] Here is that screen:

The WordPress setup screen, which asks for the database name, user name, password and host.
The setup screen asks for the details of your database. Screenshot: WordPress Advanced Administration Handbook, captured 2026-10-18.

The last setup screen

The final screen asks you for a few things. These are your site title, a user name, a password (twice) and your email address.[1]

A sketch of the last install screen. It has boxes for the site title, user name, password and email, and a checkbox about search engines. A note says every choice can be changed later.
What the last install screen asks for.

There is also a box about search engines. Leave it unticked if you want your site to be visible to everyone, search engines included.[1]

Do not worry about getting anything wrong. You can change all of this later in the admin screens.[1]

Log in for the first time

To log in, put wp-admin after your domain name.[5] Then use the user name and password you just made.

Three boxes joined by arrows: type example.com/wp-admin in your browser, log in with your user name and password, then see the dashboard.
How you reach the admin area.

You will see this login screen:

The WordPress login screen with boxes for a user name and password.
The login screen, found at /wp-admin on your site. Screenshot: WordPress documentation, captured 2026-10-18.

After you log in, you land on the main admin screen. It is called the Dashboard.[5] The next page shows you around it.

Sources

  1. How to install WordPress, WordPress Advanced Administration Handbook (accessed 2026-10-18)
  2. Requirements, WordPress.org (accessed 2026-10-18)
  3. About WordPress, WordPress.org (accessed 2026-10-18)
  4. What is Post Type?, WordPress.org Documentation (accessed 2026-10-18)
  5. First steps with WordPress, WordPress.org Documentation (accessed 2026-10-18)