How to Add Custom CSS to WordPress Themes

Use browser developer tools to identify correct CSS selectors for specific styling rather than relying on the !important override rule. medium confidence based on 8 community reports

Use browser developer tools to identify correct CSS selectors for specific styling rather than relying on the !important override rule.

Based on 8 community reports.

Linked sources: 9.

Known Issues

Overusing !important can lead to maintenance difficulties
Theme updates may overwrite changes made directly in style.css

Community Q&A

How do I add custom CSS to my WordPress site?

You can add custom CSS via the WordPress Customizer under ‘Additional CSS’ or by using a child theme’s style.css file.

Should I use !important in my custom CSS?

It is generally recommended to avoid !important and instead use more specific CSS selectors to override existing styles.

How can I find the right CSS selector to change?

Right-click the element on your website and select ‘Inspect’ in your browser to view the current CSS classes and styles applied.

Reddit Sources

Raw Gutenberg Challenge (r/Wordpress)
5 Things You Never Skip Before Stepping into WordPress Development (A Personal Experience) (r/Wordpress)
Advice on how to take on updating a client’s existing custom theme from a few years ago (r/Wordpress)
Why is Gutenberg + TT5 so limited? (r/Wordpress)
How do I override the theme with my own css? (r/Wordpress)
GoDaddy Managed WordPress - Can’t upload custom static HTML site (permission denied on root files, SFTP only shows when WP is installed) (r/Wordpress)
I’ve been trying to make WooCommerce development feel more like building a Shopify theme with liquid (r/Wordpress)
Moved off WordPress to Astro after a $2k Core Web Vitals quote. Will I regret it? (r/Wordpress)
[DISCUSSION] I built a free WordPress plugin for Amazon affiliates - product boxes, comparison tables, geo-targeting across 22 marketplaces (r/Wordpress)