WordPress • No Code • Beginner • 6 minutes

Create and Assign a Custom Menu in WordPress

Create a custom navigation menu, add pages and links, arrange dropdowns, and assign it to a theme location in WordPress.

FREE • LAST VERIFIED: SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
The Problem

Create and Assign a Custom Menu in WordPress

You created pages, but the site navigation is missing items, in the wrong order, or assigned to the wrong menu location.

1

Open the menu screen

On classic or hybrid themes, go to Appearance → Menus. Create a new menu or select an existing one.

2

Add and arrange items

Add Pages, Posts, Custom Links, or Categories. Drag items to reorder them; indent an item under another to create a dropdown.

3

Assign the menu

Choose the appropriate theme display location, such as Primary or Header, then save the menu.

4

Using a block theme?

WordPress 6.0+ block themes manage navigation with the Navigation block in the Site Editor rather than relying on Appearance → Menus.

WordPress Appearance Menus screen showing Main Menu items and Primary Menu location selected
WP Build Notes: the Main Menu contains navigation items and is assigned to the Primary Menu location.
Common Problem

Still not working?

If Appearance → Menus is missing, you are probably using a block theme. Edit navigation through the Site Editor and Navigation block instead.

Quick Summary
Classic/hybrid theme: Appearance → Menus → create/select menu → add items → arrange → assign display location → Save Menu.

Did this fix work?

Related Fixes

Keep building.

Find another practical WordPress fix and keep moving.

Browse more WordPress fixes →