WordPress is the most popular tool for website creation in the world. Over 40 percent of websites on the internet are powered by WordPress. Over 100 WordPress versions have been released in the last 19 years since it’s been on the market.
What is the WordPress current version?
The WordPress current version is 6.6. It was released on July 16, 2024. WordPress version 6.6 introduces a new rollback option for automatic updates, individual font and color sets, and synced patterns.
This WordPress update includes:
- Performance enhancements
- Quick previews of your pages before you edit in Site Editor
- Grid blocks
- 55+ accessibility updates
- Negative margins
- Natural, crisp, sharp, and outlined shadow options
- Preset aspect ratios
- New keyboard shortcuts
What’s new in WordPress’ current version?
The latest WordPress is version 6.6. This current WordPress version introduces several notable features and improvements aimed at enhancing both user experience and developer capabilities.
This major WordPress update includes new features as well as developer enhancements, such as new support for React 19 and JSX Transform.
FUN FACT: The release is named “Matías” to honor influential contributors within the WordPress community, but specific details about this choice were not publicly emphasized during the announcement.
A closer look at WordPress’ current version
Let’s do a short breakdown of WordPress version 6.6, the current WordPress version, below.
- Simplified Publishing Process: The editing interface for posts and pages is now more consistent, creating a smoother experience when managing content. This streamlined workflow helps users move seamlessly between different editing tasks.
- Advanced Grid Block: A new grid layout system offers users the ability to create dynamic, multi-column designs without needing custom code. This feature provides better control over layout, including the ability to adjust row and column spans for more complex designs.
- Automatic Rollback for Plugin Updates: To improve site reliability, WordPress 6.6 includes a safety feature that automatically reverts plugins to their previous version if an update fails, ensuring minimal downtime.
- Custom Margins and Styling: Users now have more granular control over layout with negative margins and custom section styles, allowing for more creative design possibilities without relying on CSS.
- Performance Enhancements: The update includes support for React 19 and JavaScript optimizations, leading to faster site performance and more efficient coding for developers.
To summarize, WordPress version 6.6 made editing and updating WordPress websites significantly easier.
Importance of using the latest WordPress version
Once you get started with site creation, you will notice that you can create countless types of WordPress websites. No matter what type of site you are running, it’s of huge importance that you always use the latest WordPress version.
Why?
The answer is pretty simple. WordPress is free to use and the fact that it’s so popular makes it a target for hackers. They can study the source code and find exploits in it which will let them proceed with their malicious intent.
Frequently updating your installation to the current WordPress version will make sure that overall security of your site is up to date, that all bugs are patched, and that you are not missing out on any new features that developers push out.
Why WordPress releases regularly
Just like we mentioned above, hackers look for holes in WordPress code. That is why developers have to stay on top of things all the time. In summary, a release of a minor WordPress version means that a bug or a glitch that could be exploited was patched.
Additionally, WordPress has a strong community, and developers are listening to it. Releases of new versions often contain a feature that was requested by WordPress users.
Making sure you’re on the current WordPress version ensures you’re up to date with security for your site and you have access to all the current features.