To create custom post type in WordPress, you can use a free plugin and skip the code. A custom post type is a content type of your own, separate from posts and pages. Think of trails, products, or recipes. This guide shows you how to create custom post type in WordPress, then display it in two ways.
Many owners get stuck after the first step. You build the type and add entries, but nothing shows on the site. That is normal. Creating a type and showing it are two separate tasks. We will cover both, with no code needed.
We use a set of hiking trails as our example. The same steps work for any content type you build. Let us start with how to create custom post type in WordPress the simple way.
🔧 How Do You Create Custom Post Type in WordPress Without Code?
The simplest way to create custom post type in WordPress is with a plugin. The free Custom Post Type UI plugin adds a clear interface to your dashboard. You register your type through a form, with no code at all.
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Install and activate the plugin. Then open it and go to Add/Edit Post Types. Give your type a slug, such as trails. Add a plural label and a singular label. These names control how your content shows in the admin menu.
What Settings Should You Enable?
A few settings make your type work correctly. Each has a clear purpose. Set them before you save. The right choices let you display your content later without trouble.
- Set Public to True so visitors can see your content on the site.
- Set Show in Nav Menus to True so you can add it to a menu.
- Set Has Archive to True so your content gets its own archive page.
- Set Show in REST API to True so you can use the block editor.
Under Supports, choose the features each entry will use. Title, Editor, and Featured Image are common picks. Then click Add Post Type. Your new type now appears in the dashboard menu. Add a few entries before you move on.
📄 How Do You Show It in Its Own Section?
Once you create custom post type in WordPress, the first way to show it is a dedicated section. It needs no code. This works well when your content deserves its own space, apart from your blog.
First, set your permalinks. Go to Settings, then Permalinks, and choose Post name. Save your changes. Without this step, your archive uses a long URL with a query string. With it, the address becomes clean, like yoursite.com/trails.
How Do You Add It to Your Menu?
Next, link your archive from the site menu. Go to Appearance, then Menus. Open the Custom Links panel. Paste your archive URL, then type a clear label like Trails. Click Add to Menu.
Your link now appears in the menu structure. You can drag it into any position you want. When the order looks right, click Save Menu. Your archive is now reachable straight from the site navigation, with no code required.
🏠 How Do You Show It on the Homepage?
The second way places your content on the homepage, next to your posts. This suits sites where the content type is the main focus. Instead of a separate section, it shows up the moment someone lands on your site.
This method uses a small code snippet. You add it safely with the WPCode plugin. WPCode runs the snippet without editing your theme files. That keeps the change safe and easy to undo.
How Do You Add the Snippet?
In WPCode, open Code Snippets and click Add New. Choose Add Your Custom Code, then pick PHP Snippet. Give the snippet a title, such as Add Trails to Homepage. Paste in the code that adds your content to the main query.
add_action( ‘pre_get_posts’, ‘add_my_post_types_to_query’ );
function add_my_post_types_to_query( $query ) {
if ( is_home() && $query->is_main_query() )
$query->set( ‘post_type’, array( ‘post’, ‘trails’ ) );
return $query;
}
Click Save Snippet. Before you turn it on, check your homepage. You will see only your regular posts. Now switch the snippet from Inactive to Active. Click Update, then refresh the homepage. Your content now appears in the feed.
🤔 Which Method Should You Choose?
Both methods work well, but they serve different goals. Your choice depends on how you want visitors to find the content. Think about the role your content type plays on the site.
Use the archive method when your content needs its own home. A portfolio, a product list, or a trail guide fits this pattern. Visitors browse it as a separate section, away from your posts.
Use the homepage method when the content type is your main attraction. It appears next to your latest posts, so nobody has to search for it. This gives new content quick visibility on your busiest page.
- Pick the archive for a clean, separate section with its own URL.
- Pick the homepage for instant visibility next to your posts.
- You can use both at once if your site needs it.
After you create custom post type in WordPress, either path is reliable and needs little upkeep. If you want more display options, this guide on four ways to display custom post type in WordPress covers custom templates and direct queries too.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I create custom post type in WordPress without code?
Use the free Custom Post Type UI plugin. It lets you register a type through a form in your dashboard, with no code at all.
Why does my custom post type not show on the site?
Creating a type and displaying it are two separate steps. You must add it to a menu or the main query before it appears.
Do I need a plugin to create a custom post type?
No, but a plugin is easier. A plugin lets you create custom post type in WordPress without touching any code.
What does the Has Archive setting do?
It gives your content type its own archive page. This page lists all entries and powers the first display method.
Is WPCode safe to use for snippets?
Yes. WPCode runs code without editing theme files. You can turn any snippet off with a single click.
Can I show a custom post type next to my posts?
Yes. The homepage method adds your content type to the main query, so it appears alongside your latest posts.
