In plain English
It sits on top of a parent theme, overriding only the files you change. Everything else comes from the parent.
Its purpose is surviving updates. Edits made directly to a theme are erased the next time it updates; edits in a child theme are not.
What to know
Inherits from a parent
Only overrides differ.
Survives updates
Parent updates do not touch it.
Small
Often just a stylesheet and a functions file.
Not always needed
Block themes and CSS panels reduce the requirement.
Why it matters
Any site with theme file customisations needs one. Without it, an update quietly reverses work nobody documented, usually months later.
Common mistakes
×Editing the parent theme directly.
×Copying the whole parent into the child.
×Creating one for a change the customiser could handle.
×No child theme on a site with template modifications.
FAQs
Do I always need a child theme?
Only if you modify theme files. Simple styling can go elsewhere.
What goes in it?
Only the files you actually override.
WRITTEN BY TARIQ SALLAM
Marketing Consultant. Entrepreneur. Content Creator.
I'm a marketing consultant, entrepreneur and content creator. I help businesses grow through practical marketing, websites, SEO, content and AI.
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