Block Patterns

Block Patterns are a collection of blocks that you can insert into posts and pages and then customize with your own content. Using a Block Pattern can reduce the time required to create content on your site, as well as being a great way to learn how different blocks can be combined to produce interesting effects.

To find more patterns, you can also use the Block Pattern Directory.

• How to use a Block Pattern
• How to customize a block pattern
• How to find contextual patterns
• Resources
• Frequently asked questions

Since WordPress 6.3, you can create your own patterns. Patterns work exactly the same as predefined patterns stored in the Patterns Directory. Also, with the “Sync” option enabled, the synced pattern will behave in exactly the same way as a reusable block. Editing the synced pattern will update it anywhere it is used. After creating a synced pattern, you can ‘Detach’ it to a regular block, and edit the block without affecting your already saved synced pattern.

WordPress 6.3 renamed Reusable Blocks to Patterns. A synced pattern will behave in exactly the same way as a reusable block.

How to use a Block Pattern

1. Click the + icon to add a new block from the top toolbar in the WordPress Block editor.
2. Click on the Patterns tab or Synced Patterns tab.
3. For Patterns tab, use the dropdown to choose which category of patterns you want to use or click Explore to open a modal that allows you to have a larger view of each pattern.
4. Either click on the pattern you wish to insert or drag and drop the pattern into your content. If you click on the pattern, it will be inserted at the location of your cursor.

How to create a Block Pattern

Since WordPress 6.3, you can create your own patterns.

1. Select the block or blocks you want to turn into a pattern.
2. Click on the three dot menu that opens up the additional settings.
3. Click on “Create pattern/reusable block“.
4. Enter the name of pattern.
5. To synchronize patterns, turn on the Sync option. Editing the pattern will update it anywhere it is used.
6. Click Create.

You’ll then be able to locate the created patterns at Patterns -> My Pattern or Synced Patterns (overlapping rhombus icon) of Block Inserter.

How to manage a Block Pattern

You can manage your pattern from the Site Editor.

1. Select Appearance -> Editor at Administration Screen.
2. Click Patterns.
   Selecting Options -> Manage Patterns from Block Editor will open the same panel.

How to work with patterns

You can Rename, Duplicate, Export as JSON, and Delete the pattern from Actions menu (three dot icon) of each pattern.

How to edit the content of pattern

To modify a pattern, click the pattern, and click Edit (pencil icon).

How to customize a Block Pattern

Once you insert a Block Pattern, the blocks can be edited in the same way as any other blocks.

Click on any block in the pattern, to edit the content within the block.

You can also add more blocks to a Block Pattern and insert more Block Patterns to your page anywhere you want.

For the synced pattern, you’ll see the synced pattern mentioned in the saving flow when you save the post or page itself. Saving will update it anywhere it is used even in other posts or pages.

How to find contextual patterns

Some blocks such as the Social Icons block and Query Loop block have patterns built into the settings of the block. To find the contextual patterns for the Social Icons block, select the Social Icon in the Block toolbar and navigate to Patterns in the drop-down:

For the Query Loop block, patterns are shown as part of the configuration of the block itself. You can learn more about the Query Loop block here.

How to find more patterns

If you want more patterns to choose from, you can explore the Block Pattern Directory. This is a new directory that allows you to search and find new patterns to use on your site. After searching and finding a pattern you like, select Copy and it will be saved to your clipboard. From there, return to your page or post and use the Paste function to add the pattern to your content.

You can read more about the Block Pattern Directory here.

Resources

• “Introduction to Block Patterns” – a short workshop published by the Training team.
• “Using Block Patterns”– a tutorial published by the Training team.
• “Contextual patterns for easier creation” – a post on the WordPress Core blog.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use the default images within Block Patterns on my own site?

Yes! The images provided within Block Patterns are free to use on your site. However, because these images are being referenced from an external source (i.e. they are not added to your site’s Media Library), there is always a chance they could change or be removed.

We recommend replacing these images with your own content but if you would like to use the ones in the patterns, please consider uploading them to your own Media Library by using the “Upload external image” button.

When you publish a post, the pre-publish check will ask you if you want to upload external images to the media library.

Will Block Patterns be changed? Will changes to patterns that I use impact my site?

New Block Patterns will be continuously added and existing Block Patterns may be changed or removed over time. However, once you add a Block Pattern to your site, there is no link to the original pattern in the Add Block menu, and any subsequent changes would not impact anything on your site’s pages or posts.