Introduction to WordPress IDs
When I first started using WordPress several years ago, I remember a plugin asking me for a post ID.
I thought I was picking up WordPress quite quickly, but this one had me stumped. I could see the name of my post, I could find the URL – but I had no idea how to find the post ID.
If you’ve ever had this problem, you’re in luck: today, I’m going to show you exactly where to find the WordPress post ID.
Now, many WordPress users don’t know how to find the post ID, and they get by just fine. So why might you need to know it? Usually, it’s a situation like the one above: because a plugin asks for it. But many themes will ask for post IDs during configuration, too.
Either way, it’s a good thing to know how to do.
Why WordPress IDs Matter
Why do these IDs matter, you ask? Well, they’re essentially the backbone of how WordPress organizes content. Each piece of content, be it a post, page, or comment, is stored in the WordPress database with its unique ID. This ID is how WordPress distinguishes between different pieces of content, even if they have similar titles or content.
Finding the Elusive Post ID
How to Find a Post ID in WordPress For me, the quickest and easiest way to find a post ID is done from the All Posts screen — found by logging into the WordPress dashboard and selecting Posts > All Posts.
From here, simply hover your mouse over the post you want to find the ID for. Now, take a look in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen.
See that pop-up box? That contains the post ID.
More specifically, the post ID is the number that comes after the “post=” and before the “&“.
Post ID
See what I mean in the above screenshot? In this instance, my post ID is 6706.
You can also find the post ID in the WordPress editor, which you get to by clicking on the post you want.
When done this way, the post ID is in the address bar. The URL shown will be exactly the same, and the post ID is again sandwiched between the “post=” and the “&.”
Post ID URL
Both ways are really easy to do, and it shouldn’t take more than a few seconds to find the post ID.
Understanding IDs Beyond Posts
But it’s not just posts that are assigned a custom ID number that’s difficult to find. Every page, category, tag, comment, and user ID on your website will also have a unique ID number.
Page, Category, Tag, Comment, and User IDs
You can find these ID numbers in exactly the same way that you found the Post ID numbers. In the case of category ID, simply select Posts > Categories from within the WordPress dashboard.
When there, find and hover over the category you want, and you’ll see the URL you want in the bottom left corner, same as before.
Category ID
The category ID is found after “category&tag_ID=” and before “&” as seen in the screen grab above.
Alternatively, you could click on the category and find the category ID from the URL.
Category ID URL
I’ve highlighted it for you in the address bar above.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been struggling to configure a theme or use a plugin because you can’t find a post ID, I hope this short tutorial has helped you out. Understanding and utilizing these IDs can significantly enhance your ability to manage and customize your site, making your WordPress journey smoother and more efficient. Remember how it’s done, so if you are ever asked for it, you won’t waste any time finding it.
Do you have any questions about finding WordPress Post IDs? Fire away in the comments section below!
We can help with flexible Managed WordPress Hosting.
The post How to Find the Post ID in WordPress appeared first on Pagely.
