What PHP version should I use for WordPress?

Understanding PHP Compatibility for WordPress

WordPress is built using PHP, and its compatibility with PHP versions changes as the core software and the PHP language itself advance. We advise checking the official WordPress compatibility documentation for the most accurate requirements, as support levels are dynamic.

#### General Guidelines

* Minimum Requirement: WordPress generally requires PHP 7.4 or higher to operate effectively. * Support Cycle: WordPress aims to support new PHP versions, typically aligning the support with the major WordPress release that occurs around November each year. * Beta Support: Support for new PHP versions begins after they reach feature freeze and beta versions are tagged. Support is labeled as "beta support" until at least 10% of all WordPress sites run that version or later, indicating broad compatibility across themes and plugins.

#### Compatibility Snapshot (Based on Provided Data)

The compatibility matrix shows which versions have beta support for specific PHP versions. For example, the provided data indicates the following for certain versions:

* WordPress 6.9 added beta support for PHP 8.5. * In WordPress 6.8, PHP 8.3 support was raised to fully compatible in July 2025. * The data also notes that in WordPress 6.7, beta support was added for PHP 8.4.

We recommend keeping your environment updated while verifying that your specific combination of WordPress core, themes, and plugins is compatible with the PHP version you choose.