In short. Select A static page in Settings > Reading, choose the homepage and an optional different posts page, then save the changes.
Definition: A static homepage in WordPress is a page selected as the site's front page. As of October 2026, WordPress documents this assignment under Settings > Reading, where a separate posts page can also be selected to display the blog's posts.
Key facts
- WordPress's static front page guide places the selection under Your homepage displays > A static page.
- The Reading settings documentation requires different pages for the homepage and posts page.
- WordPress's Pages documentation explains that Pages are generated dynamically, including those described as static.
Which pages need to exist first?
WordPress's Pages documentation describes Pages > Add New, followed by a title, body content and Publish. This creates the page that the homepage dropdown can select.
The static front page guide uses “Home” as its example homepage title.
For a separate blog listing, the guide describes selecting an empty page through the Posts page dropdown. “Blog” is its example selection. These names identify the pages in the setup instructions; the homepage dropdown determines which page becomes the front page.
How are the assignments saved?
The static front page guide gives this Reading settings configuration, using its example page names:
Settings > Reading
Your homepage displays: A static page
Homepage: Home
Posts page: Blog
After selecting the pages, Save Changes stores the assignments. The Reading settings documentation says that a confirmation appears at the top of the screen after saving.
Selecting A static page also requires a homepage selection. The same documentation explains that leaving that dropdown unselected results in posts appearing on the front page as well as on the assigned posts page.
What should be checked after saving?
The static front page guide identifies the expected result: the homepage shows the selected page. Checking the site's homepage against that selection confirms the intended front-page assignment.
For the blog listing, the Reading settings documentation identifies Blog pages show at most as the control for posts displayed per page. It also warns that plugins controlling static front pages or post display can affect these settings.
Related terms
- Where is the search engine visibility setting in WordPress?
- How do I choose full text or excerpts in WordPress feeds?
- How do I change a WordPress permalink structure?
FAQ
Can I use the same page for the homepage and posts page?
No. WordPress's Reading settings documentation requires different selections for these roles.
Do I have to assign a posts page?
The static front page guide makes the Blog selection conditional on needing it. With no posts page assigned, the Reading documentation says that posts remain accessible through navigation such as category, calendar or archive links.
Sources
- WordPress.org, "Settings Reading screen", June 8, 2024
- WordPress.org, "Create a static front page", July 2, 2026
- WordPress.org, "Create pages", January 13, 2023
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