Title: Classic block
Author: Milana Cap
Published: March 7, 2019
Last modified: February 10, 2026

---

# Classic block

## In this article

 * [Add a Classic block](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/classic-block/?output_format=md#add-a-classic-block)
 * [Block toolbar](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/classic-block/?output_format=md#block-toolbar)
    - [Convert to blocks](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/classic-block/?output_format=md#convert-to-blocks)
    - [More options](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/classic-block/?output_format=md#more-options)
    - [Classic Editor toolbar](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/classic-block/?output_format=md#classic-editor-toolbar)
 * [Block settings](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/classic-block/?output_format=md#block-settings)
 * [Changelog](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/classic-block/?output_format=md#changelog)

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

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

The Classic block looks just like the classic editor, but it’s in block form. Custom
TinyMCE buttons are found in this block.

## 󠀁[Add a Classic block](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/classic-block/?output_format=md#add-a-classic-block)󠁿

To add a Classic block, open the Block Inserter tool by clicking the Block Inserter
+ icon in the top toolbar. Look for the Classic block by using the search bar to
find the right block to add. Then, click the icon to insert the Classic block into
the editor.

Alternatively, click the Block Inserter (+) icon in the editor, then choose the 
Classic block after searching for it in the pop-up window.

You can also use a (/) slash command by typing `/classic` in the editor.

[⌊Screenshot of adding the classic block from the block inserter icon in the editor⌉⌊
Screenshot of adding the classic block from the block inserter icon in the editor⌉[

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

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

Each block has its own block-specific controls that allow you to manipulate the 
block right in the editor.

![Screenshot of the block toolbar from the Classic block](https://wordpress.org/
documentation/files/2019/03/block-toolbar-cropped-Screenshot-2026-02-06-at-3.37.43-
PM-1024x171.png)

### 󠀁[Convert to blocks](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/classic-block/?output_format=md#convert-to-blocks)󠁿

Selecting this option will convert the content to blocks.

### 󠀁[More options](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/classic-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/)

### 󠀁[Classic Editor toolbar](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/classic-block/?output_format=md#classic-editor-toolbar)󠁿

Once you [add the block](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/wordpress-editor/#adding-a-block),
you can edit the text you add as you would in the classic visual editor, using the
tools provided.

![Screenshot of a Classic block's open Classic Editor](https://wordpress.org/documentation/
files/2019/03/edit-screen-Screenshot-2026-02-06-at-3.40.18-PM-1024x743.png)

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

While most blocks have specific options in the editor sidebar in addition to the
options found in the block toolbar, the classic block does not have any additional
options.

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

 * Updated 2026-02-09 (props to @katmoody @awetz583)
    - Updated how to add block text
    - Updated screenshots
 * Updated 2025-12-08
    - Reviewed the capitalization of the block name, changed all instances of classical
      block to Classical block
 * Updated 2023-06-08
    - Minor design changes for accessibility and addition of ‘back to list of blocks’
      link at top.
 * Updated 2023-03-31
    - Updated screenshot of the block
    - Added a link to the More Options overview.
 * Updated 2020-12-1
    - Added Changelog
 * Updated: 2020-11-27
    - screenshot of toolbar
 * Updated 2019-11-27
    - added video
 * Created 2019-03-07 

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First published

March 7, 2019

Last updated

February 10, 2026