Title: Categories block
Author: Femy Praseeth
Published: March 21, 2022
Last modified: June 5, 2025

---

# Categories block

## In this article

 * [Block toolbar](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/categories-block/?output_format=md#block-toolbar)
    - [More options](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/categories-block/?output_format=md#more-options)
 * [Block settings](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/categories-block/?output_format=md#block-settings)
    - [Styles](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/categories-block/?output_format=md#styles)
    - [Color](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/categories-block/?output_format=md#color)
    - [Typography](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/categories-block/?output_format=md#typography)
    - [Dimensions](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/categories-block/?output_format=md#dimensions)
    - [Border](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/categories-block/?output_format=md#border)
 * [Changelog](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/categories-block/?output_format=md#changelog)

[ Back to top](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/categories-block/?output_format=md#wp--skip-link--target)

[Go to the List of Blocks](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/blocks/)

Use the Categories block to display the posts’ categories. This block is primarily
nested inside a[ query loop](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/query-loop-block/)
block and helps to customize the appearance of the query loop. 

To add a Categories block, click the **Block Inserter** icon when editing the page
template. Search for the Categories** block**. Click on it to add the block to your
page template.

Video showing how to add Categories block

You can also type /categories and hit enter in a new paragraph block to add the 
Categories block quickly.

![Image showing how to add Categories block with the slash inserter.](https://wordpress.
org/documentation/files/2023/06/categories-block-1024x437.png)

How to add Categories block quickly

[Detailed instructions on adding blocks](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/adding-a-new-block/)

## 󠀁[Block toolbar](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/categories-block/?output_format=md#block-toolbar)󠁿

To view the block toolbar, click on the block and the toolbar will be displayed.

Every block comes with unique toolbar icons. These block-specific controls allow
you to manipulate the block right in the editor.

The Categories block shows five buttons in the block toolbar:

 * Transform to
 * Drag icon
 * Move arrows
 * Change text alignment
 * More options

![Categories block toolbar](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3WV4UeF9OMEU_NKd_leRXDGqPy9ulVgkCcN1XIRa8KbA4Bz1_xnc_mEBFs5CmlHrwLwTgnnUz3BhRKfMS-
sxJsq4LPZOI6AAmHNWCA2z_PlG17ouwxT56p9k3xELCYUvjSfku6bj)

Categories block toolbar

**Transform to:**

![Transform options in Categories block](https://wordpress.org/documentation/files/
2022/03/categories-transforms.png)

Transform options in Categories block

Click on the “Transform” button to convert the Categories block into **Tags, Columns,
Details**, or a **Group** block:

 * **Group**: Place the block inside a Group to apply shared styles like background
   color, padding, or borders around the entire section.
 * **Tags**: Switch to display a tag list instead of categories, useful for showcasing
   post tags in a similar layout.
 * **Columns**: Use columns to organize categories into multiple vertical sections,
   enhancing visual structure.
 * **Details**: Wrap the category list in an expandable/collapsible container to
   save space and improve readability.

**Drag icon:**

![Drag icon in the Categories block](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/LOeUP5AIHfAVcf3TJ48liWDB9P3l3HFu-
rcuhFCvMx45GbaO5ffRRdFG_Q8Dx1go4uUH9dvwgAtOJCBcB7IfOp0dJ7SiutLyWu3cg2Fzzjhbq92NEHVuXtIvsEdBYSkp-
sW91FtU)

Drag icon in the Categories block

To drag and drop the block to a new location on the page template, click and hold
the rectangle of dots, then drag to the new location. The blue separator line indicates
where the block will be placed. Release the left mouse button when you find the 
new location to place the block.

**Move arrows:**

![Move arrows in the Categories block](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/lgn3n_EG2vlBv_qwEck8d1VwrvP6k2N3bDpvfzgUk4-
4FnefAFae6zUyhQAvN10qZ5vR7RZb4KtNAEDuYYUv5DM_qWuvCZFMx9NckyfXqocD7pInnEEfWasN83XTTDPms1qKwc2w)

Move arrows in the Categories block

The up and down arrow icons can be used to move the block up and down on the page.

[Get more information about moving a block within the editor.](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/moving-blocks/)

**Change text alignment**:

![Change text alignment in Categories block](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/JsIE08dBZF7XXtboBBffzuApeuJsY5W-
Gk-_8kDve2NY0FQupCXlYCzWh_3_OYNk_eFMoZPa73Rd8QFDJ36ZKbhZLiGMPuoWEyCWUbO076kaWEumQG2TlQvIOm80Q4hEUTg46SAR)

Change text alignment in Categories block

Click the “Change alignment” button in the Block toolbar to display the alignment
drop-down. You can align the block text to the left, make it center-aligned or align
it to the right.

### 󠀁[More options](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/categories-block/?output_format=md#more-options)󠁿

These controls give you the option to copy, duplicate, and edit your block as HTML.

[[[Read about these and other settings.](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/more-options/)

## 󠀁[Block settings](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/categories-block/?output_format=md#block-settings)󠁿

In addition to the block toolbar, every block has specific options in the editor
sidebar.

_If you do not see the sidebar, click the icon next to the Publish button._

![How to turn on the Block Settings sidebar](https://wordpress.org/documentation/
files/2022/03/How-to-turn-on-the-Block-Settings-sidebar-402x1024.png)

How to turn on the Block Settings sidebar

![Categories block settings](https://wordpress.org/documentation/files/2022/03/Categories-
block-settings.png)

Categories block settings

### 󠀁[Styles](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/categories-block/?output_format=md#styles)󠁿

You can customize “Styles” options to change the appearance of the Categories block.
Available options are **Default **or** Pilled shaped**:

 * **Default**: Displays the categories in a standard list format, following the
   theme’s typography and spacing.
 * **Pilled shaped:** Displays each category inside a rounded pill-like container,
   making them stand out with a more modern and visually distinct look.

![Styles settings in the Categories block](https://wordpress.org/documentation/files/
2022/03/Change-the-style-of-display-categories.png)

Change the style of display categories

### 󠀁[Color](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/categories-block/?output_format=md#color)󠁿

You can customize the text color, background color, gradient background, and link
color for the Categories block._ The color options available will vary based on 
the theme._

![Color settings in the Categories block](https://wordpress.org/documentation/files/
2022/03/categories-color.png)

Color settings in the Categories block

[[[See this guide for more information about changing colors.](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/colors-settings-overview/)

### 󠀁[Typography](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/categories-block/?output_format=md#typography)󠁿

On this tab, you can adjust properties such as the Size, Font, Appearance, Line 
height, Letter spacing, Decoration and Letter case.

To access all the typography options click on the + button in the right corner of
the Typography tab.

![Typography settings in the Categories block](https://wordpress.org/documentation/
files/2022/03/categories-typography.png)

Typography settings in the Categories block

[[[[[Get more details about changing typography settings.](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/typography-settings-overview/)

### 󠀁[Dimensions](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/categories-block/?output_format=md#dimensions)󠁿

On this tab, you can adjust properties such as the **Padding, Margin, and Block 
spacing** for the **Categories** block. These options help in defining the spacing
around and between elements, ensuring proper alignment and layout consistency across
different sections of your site.

![Dimensions settings in the Categories block](https://wordpress.org/documentation/
files/2022/03/Dimensions-settings-in-the-Categories-block.png)

Dimensions settings in the Categories block

[[[[[Get more details about changing dimensions settings.](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/dimension-controls-overview/)

### 󠀁[Border](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/categories-block/?output_format=md#border)󠁿

On this tab, you can add **custom border** to the **Categories** block by adjusting**
Border width, Style, Color, and Radius**. These options provide greater flexibility
in styling, allowing you to create visually distinct category lists that align with
your site’s design.

![Border settings in the Categories block](https://wordpress.org/documentation/files/
2022/03/Border-settings-in-the-Categories-block-1.png)

Border settings in the Categories block

[[[[[Get more details about changing border settings.](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/border-settings-overview/)

**Advanced settings: **

The “Advanced” tab lets you enter character(s) that can be used to separate the 
category terms. The default setting is a comma.

You can also add CSS class(es) to your block. This will allow you to write custom
CSS and styles to the block.

![Advanced setting in Categories block](https://wordpress.org/documentation/files/
2022/03/categories-advanced.png)

Advanced setting in Categories block

## 󠀁[Changelog](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/categories-block/?output_format=md#changelog)󠁿

 * Update 2025-06-05
    - Add border support
    - Add dimensions support
    - Add styles support
    - Update screenshots to 6.8.1
 * Update 2025-04-22 (props to [@karthickmurugan](https://profiles.wordpress.org/karthickmurugan/))
    - Add color support.
    - Update screenshots to 6.8.
    - Add missing ALT tags.
 * Updated on 2023-06-27
    - Renamed ‘Post Categories Block’ with ‘Categories Block’
    - Updated screenshots/video to 6.2.2
 * Created 2022-03-21

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First published

March 21, 2022

Last updated

June 5, 2025