WordPress Template Hierarchy Explained

The template hierarchy is the fundamental logic WordPress uses to select the correct theme file for any given URL request based on specific rules. low confidence based on 2 community reports

The template hierarchy is the fundamental logic WordPress uses to select the correct theme file for any given URL request based on specific rules.

Based on 2 community reports.

Linked sources: 2.

Known Issues

Outdated visual diagrams
Complexity for beginners

Community Q&A

What is the WordPress template hierarchy?

It is the logic WordPress uses to decide which template file in your theme should be used to display a specific page or post.

How does WordPress choose a template file?

WordPress searches for files in a specific order of priority, starting with the most specific match and falling back to index.php.

Reddit Sources

The WordPress template hierarchy explained (r/ProWordPress)
I was sick of hypey, low-value WordPress tutorials leading beginners astray. I created my own, shared it here, and the response blew me away. So I made a second free WordPress tutorial, this time 100% free and much deeper into web design. (r/Wordpress)