How and when to use the wordpress html editor

Published on August 26, 2025 by

Introduction

WordPress is popular because it makes publishing content simple. The block editor, known as Gutenberg, allows you to drag, drop, and build pages without touching code. But underneath that friendly interface lies another tool—the HTML editor. It’s not as flashy, and it doesn’t hold your hand. Still, it gives you control over aspects of your content that the visual editor sometimes hides.

The HTML editor in WordPress isn’t just for developers. Bloggers, site owners, and even beginners can benefit from using it when they want precision. Whether you’re embedding custom code, cleaning up formatting, or troubleshooting a design issue, the HTML editor is often the quickest solution. The real question is not whether you should use it, but how and when. Let’s break it down step by step.

What is the WordPress HTML Editor?

The HTML editor allows you to view and edit the raw code of your WordPress content. Instead of styled blocks, you see HTML tags, attributes, and structure. Think of it as pulling back the curtain to see the machinery. For many users, it feels intimidating at first. Lines of code don’t look as friendly as a neatly formatted paragraph.

But HTML is simply the language browsers use to display your content. Once you recognize basic tags—<p> for paragraphs, <h2> for headings, <a> for links—the editor becomes much less scary. In fact, you’ll realize how often the visual editor adds unnecessary markup. That extra clutter can slow down your site or even break designs in certain themes.

Why Does WordPress Offer Both Editors?

WordPress wants to accommodate both beginners and advanced users. The block editor is ideal for those who don’t care about code. It focuses on usability and visual control. But advanced users sometimes need more. They want to inject custom styles, scripts, or structured markup.

The HTML editor provides flexibility. Instead of relying on plugins for every small tweak, you can write or adjust the code yourself. It also allows for quick troubleshooting. When a block looks wrong, switching to HTML view often reveals the problem instantly.

How to Access the HTML Editor in WordPress

WordPress makes it fairly simple to switch between editors. Inside a post or page, click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner. Choose “Code Editor,” and the view changes from blocks to raw HTML.

You can also edit individual blocks in HTML. Each block has its own menu with an option called “Edit as HTML.” This feature is handy if you don’t want to switch the entire page. Instead, you can adjust a single section.

Another route is the “Classic Editor,” which still has a “Text” tab alongside the “Visual” tab. Many older WordPress users prefer this approach because it feels straightforward. Regardless of which route you choose, the core principle remains: you’re editing the code directly.

When to Use the HTML Editor

The million-dollar question is not just how to use it, but when. If you’re writing a basic blog post with text and a few images, you may never need HTML view. The visual editor does the job fine. But in other cases, the HTML editor becomes essential.

Here are some of the most common situations:

  • Embedding custom elements such as iframes, third-party widgets, or custom scripts.

  • Fixing formatting issues when the visual editor inserts extra tags.

  • Adding custom styles like inline CSS for one-off design tweaks.

  • Cleaning messy markup copied from external sources such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

  • Checking SEO structure to ensure heading tags are correct and properly nested.

Practical Example: Cleaning Up Formatting

Imagine copying text from a Word document into WordPress. On the surface, it looks fine. But when you switch to HTML view, you might see a jungle of unnecessary <span> and <div> tags. Those extra tags add weight to your page. In some cases, they even conflict with your theme’s styling.

By switching to the HTML editor, you can delete the extra junk and keep only the essential tags. The end result? Cleaner code, faster pages, and fewer design headaches. I once spent hours trying to fix a paragraph spacing issue in the visual editor. Switching to HTML solved it in two minutes. Lesson learned.

Practical Example: Embedding Custom Code

Not everything comes in the form of a neat block. Sometimes you need to embed code directly—like a YouTube video iframe, a form script, or a custom tracking pixel. The HTML editor is where you paste that code. The visual editor might strip parts of it, but the HTML editor respects the syntax.

Be cautious though. Pasting broken code can affect your layout. Always double-check that your tags are closed. A missing </div> has the power to break your sidebar, your footer, and your sanity. I know this because it happened to me once—and yes, my footer vanished completely.

When NOT to Use the HTML Editor

While powerful, the HTML editor is not the right tool for every task. Beginners sometimes get excited and try to redesign entire pages with inline HTML. That’s usually a bad idea. Themes and page builders exist for a reason.

You should also avoid stuffing too much inline styling in your content. It makes maintenance harder. Instead of adding inline CSS to twenty posts, add a custom CSS file. Keep your content clean, and let stylesheets handle presentation. The HTML editor is a scalpel, not a hammer.

Best Practices for Using the HTML Editor

Using the HTML editor effectively means balancing control with caution. Here are a few guidelines:

  1. Back up content before editing. Mistakes happen, and reverting is easier with a copy.

  2. Learn basic HTML tags. Knowing <p>, <h2>, <a>, and <img> goes a long way.

  3. Validate your code. Tools like W3C Validator can highlight errors.

  4. Avoid inline styles unless necessary. Use CSS files for consistency.

  5. Use comments. Adding <!-- note --> helps when you revisit the code later.

These habits keep your workflow safe and efficient.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

One of the biggest mistakes is forgetting to close tags. An open <div> can cascade problems across the page. Another mistake is mixing WordPress shortcodes with raw HTML incorrectly. If you paste shortcodes inside tags without care, the output breaks.

Beginners also tend to paste code from tutorials without understanding it. Blind copying works until something clashes with your theme or plugins. Always test changes in preview mode before publishing. And never, ever edit live code on a high-traffic page at 2 a.m. unless you enjoy stress.

How the HTML Editor Helps SEO

The HTML editor also has SEO benefits. By editing the raw code, you can check heading hierarchy. Are your H2 tags nested properly? Did the editor accidentally insert multiple H1s? These small issues confuse search engines.

You can also add structured data snippets manually. For example, schema markup for reviews or events can be inserted directly. While plugins often handle this, manual control ensures accuracy. Even tweaking anchor text in raw HTML can make a difference. Search engines love clarity, and the HTML editor gives you the power to provide it.

Accessibility Considerations

Good HTML isn’t just about SEO—it’s also about accessibility. Screen readers rely on clean markup. Extra tags or poorly structured headings confuse assistive technologies. By using the HTML editor, you can ensure your content is more inclusive.

Adding proper alt attributes to images or labeling links with descriptive text helps readers who use accessibility tools. These tweaks are small but impactful. And yes, Google notices them too. Accessibility and SEO often walk hand in hand.

The Learning Curve

Using the HTML editor does involve a learning curve. At first, tags look overwhelming. But once you edit a few posts, you’ll start recognizing patterns. Repetition builds comfort. Eventually, you’ll know which parts to edit and which to leave alone.

Think of it like learning to cook. The first time you hold a knife, you’re careful and slow. After practice, you chop vegetables without thinking. The HTML editor works the same way. At first, you’ll hesitate. Later, you’ll wonder how you managed without it.

Quick Recap: When to Use the HTML Editor

If you’re not sure when to switch, here’s a simple checklist:

  • You need to embed custom code or scripts.

  • Formatting looks strange, and the visual editor won’t fix it.

  • You copied text from another source with messy markup.

  • You want to verify heading structure for SEO.

  • You need to add attributes like alt or title to tags.

If none of these apply, the block editor will probably handle your needs.

My Personal Anecdote

I’ll share a quick story. Years ago, I had a WordPress site where a button refused to center. I tried the visual editor, added new blocks, even changed the theme settings. Nothing worked. Out of frustration, I switched to HTML mode, added a small CSS class, and solved the issue instantly. That was the day I realized the HTML editor wasn’t scary—it was liberating.

Of course, I also once deleted a closing tag by mistake and broke my entire layout. So yes, power comes with responsibility.

Conclusion

The WordPress HTML editor is not just a tool for developers. It’s a safety net, a troubleshooting device, and a customization playground. While the block editor works for 90 percent of tasks, the HTML view steps in when you need more control. By learning when to use it, you can solve problems faster, improve SEO, and keep your content cleaner.

Don’t be intimidated by lines of code. Start with small tweaks, build confidence, and expand your skills gradually. Over time, the HTML editor will become one of your favorite tools in WordPress.

And remember: if you ever panic about breaking something, just preview the post first. Worst case? You break nothing but your pride.