Interface styles
WordPress.com offers two admin dashboard interface options for managing your site: Default and Classic. This guide explains the differences between the two styles and how to switch between them.
Style overview
You can choose between two admin styles when managing your site:
- Default style: A modernized, user-friendly version of the classic WordPress experience with sleek post/page management, easy profile edits, built-in tips and resources for your site, and more.
- Classic style: The traditional WordPress dashboard, featuring the classic black sidebar. This interface is commonly used in tutorials and guides across the web. If you are migrating from another hosting provider, this is likely the interface you are most familiar with.
Both views allow you to complete all major site management tasks. The choice comes down to personal preference.
Switching interface styles
To set the admin interface style for your site:
- Visit your site’s dashboard.
- Navigate to Settings → General.
- Scroll down to the “Admin Interface Style” section.
- Choose between “Classic style” or “Default style” options.
- Click the “Save Settings” button. Your admin interface style will update automatically in a few seconds.
Last updated: October 08, 2025
