I still remember the first time I tried to change text color in WordPress. It was supposed to be simple. I just wanted one line of text to stand out on a page. Five minutes, I thought. Instead, I spent almost an hour clicking around the editor, switching views, and wondering why something so basic felt confusing.
If you have ever been there, this guide is for you. I will walk you through how I actually change text color in WordPress, using real methods I use today, without theory or fluff.
Why I Needed to Change Text Color in WordPress
In my case, the problem was clarity. I had a long blog post, and important notes were getting lost. Bold text was not enough. I needed color, something subtle, readable, and consistent with the site design.
That is when I realized WordPress gives you multiple ways to change text color, and choosing the right one depends on what you are trying to do.
Method 1 Changing Text Color Using the WordPress Block Editor
This is the method I use most often because it is fast and safe.
Steps I Follow
- Open the post or page in WordPress
- Select the text you want to change
- Click the block settings on the right side
- Scroll to Color
- Choose a text color
The change is instant, and I can see exactly how it looks.
What I Like About This Method
- No code needed
- Works well for beginners
- Easy to reset
- Does not break the layout
One Thing to Watch Out For
If you switch themes later, custom colors may not always match the new design. I try to stick to brand friendly colors.
Method 2 Using the Toolbar for Quick Highlights
Sometimes I do not want to touch block settings at all.
How I Do It
- Highlight the text
- Click the three dots in the toolbar
- Select Highlight
- Choose a color
This changes the background color, not the text color. I mostly use it for notes, warnings, or small callouts.
Method 3 Changing Text Color with HTML
This method is useful when I want something very specific.
How I Use It
- Switch to the Code Editor
- Wrap the text like this
This text is red
When I Use This
- Custom layouts
- Landing pages
- One time design tweaks
My Honest Opinion
This works, but I avoid it for regular blog posts. Inline styles can get messy over time.
Method 4 Changing Text Color Using Custom CSS
When I want consistency across the site, this is my preferred option.
How I Set It Up
- Go to Appearance and then Customize
- Open Additional CSS
- Add this code
.custom-text { color: #ff6600; }
- Save the changes
- Add the class to the text block
Why I Like This Method
- Clean structure
- Reusable styles
- Better for branding
- Works well with theme updates
Method 5 Using a Plugin
I usually avoid plugins for simple things, but sometimes they are helpful.
Plugins I Have Tested
- Advanced Editor Tools
- Spectra
- Elementor
When a Plugin Makes Sense
- You want visual controls everywhere
- You use a page builder
- You do not want to touch CSS
Just be careful not to install too many plugins, as they can slow your site.
Common Mistakes I Made
- Using too many colors on one page
- Picking colors with low contrast
- Relying only on HTML instead of CSS
- Forgetting how it looks on mobile
Using fewer colors with intention usually works better.
Which Method Should You Use
Here is how I decide
- Beginners should use the Block Editor
- For quick highlights, use the toolbar
- For full control, use Custom CSS
- For design heavy pages, use a page builder
Final Thoughts
Changing text color in WordPress is not hard, but it is easy to overdo it. Once I stopped experimenting randomly and picked the right method for the job, everything became easier.
If you are just starting, stick with the editor options. If you want long term control, learning a bit of CSS helps a lot.
If you want, I can also show how to change link colors, theme specific settings, or keep colors consistent across your site.