No matter what type it is, websites are all over the Internet. From big ones to small ones, whether professional or personal, websites have become an integral part of the World Wide Web.

Facebook, Google, and Instagram are huge websites on which people interact on a daily basis. In fact, they are created in such a way that people can’t resist themselves from visiting again and again. The user experience these websites provide helps them to bag recurring traffic.

At some point, you might also have visited such websites and wondered how they build such perfect sites after all.

Well, the key to perfection lies in the theme of the website.

As most of the small to medium-sized websites are built on the WordPress CMS, it requires installing a theme at the beginning. And that theme, if chosen wisely, can make or break the deal for you. So how can we find out the type of WordPress theme a website is using?

But what if you saw a theme of an already created website on the Internet last night, and you want to use that theme for your own website?

Can it be done? Yes, why not? All you have to do is to find the theme the WordPress site is using.

And today, that’s what this detailed guide is all about.

Why It Can Be Valuable to Identify WordPress Themes?

WordPress is so popular among the website development community that it empowers more than half of the sites on the Internet.

The collection of themes that WordPress CMS has to offer makes it popular and a first choice whenever one chooses the CMS for their website. All these themes that are on offer by WordPress are fully customized, which allows for creating a personalized website.

A website’s theme essentially has an extensive set of files that, in turn, consists of the visual layout, elements, and design of a website. All these files, when put together in the right manner, give us a perfect-looking website.

There are millions of websites out there that have awe-inspiring visuals, all because of the themes they have selected. A great theme can make your website’s layout look captivating and make it function seamlessly.

If you already have a website that looks awe-inspiring to you, then identifying its theme can be valuable. After customizing it a little, you want to use that theme for your own website.

Why You Might Want to Uncover a Website’s Theme?

1.    For Inspiration and Design Insights

When creating something, inspiration is something that we humans struggle to find. The same is the case when it comes to designing a website. However, looking into some already created websites on the Internet can help you big time.

Other websites’ themes can help you give invaluable inspiration, design insights, and an idea of how things might look if you use those themes. On top of that, if you are into the technicalities of a website, uncovering new themes will provide you insights into new design trends, color palettes, and various other layout techniques.

2.    To Get Familiar with Its Compatibility and Functionality

For a theme to work properly, it must be compatible with the requirements and type of website you want to build. Not all themes are equal, and some of them might have special functionalities and advanced features.

So, it would be a wise move to find out whether a theme is compatible, responsive, and functional to what you want. Not only will this save you time and effort, but it will also help you avoid any development troubles down the road.

What Methods Can You Use To Identify the Type Of WordPress Theme A Website Is Using?

Identifying a WordPress theme has been easier before. There are many methods that can be used to do it, but the ones you choose will eventually depend upon your technical expertise. Here are some of them:

1.    Using Browser Extensions

Out of all, this method is the easiest one. With just a few clicks, a browser extension on your browser will allow you to discover the theme of any WordPress website. It is a swift and one of the most user-friendly approaches that does not require any technical expertise.

2.    Wappalyzer

Wappalyzer is one of the best choices out there for theme identification using a browser extension. It allows you to swiftly detect the website’s theme along with other information related to the author and company that developed it.

All you have to do is install the Wappalyzer extension, visit the website whose theme you want to detect, and click on the Wappalyzer’s icon to know the theme.

3.    Using Theme Detection Tools

Another easy method to identify a WordPress theme is the online theme detection tools. These tools assist you in that by just inputting the website’s URL, and, in turn, they will give an output that will have all the theme-related information.

4.    WPThemeDetector

It is a widely used online theme detection tool that allows theme detection by merely entering the URL of a certain website online. And, not just the name or the author of the theme, it also gives you insights into how popular the theme is and what active plugins are on the site.

5.    ScanWP

ScanWP is another online tool that also breaks down a theme’s information, whether it is its official name, author name, developer info, additional features, or plugins.

6.    Manual Detection

To be true, the method of manual detection is an advanced one. The ones who have a technical knack might be comfortable finding the themes of certain websites naturally. This method essentially involves analysis of the source code of the website and extracting the information of the theme thereon.

7.    View Page Source

The first method that will allow you to manually detect a theme is the “View Page Source” method, which can be used by right-clicking on any website’s page and then clicking on the same option, i.e., “View Page Source.”

Another option that will lead you to the website’s source code is the “Inspect Element” option. In the source code of the site, you will have to find the JavaScript or CSS files because they are the ones that contain the theme-related info. To find the name of the theme, look for the file path.

8.    Style.css

It is another advanced method that incorporates getting into the source code of a website. Style.css files are housed mostly in every WordPress website, so they can be of huge worth to you.

These files contain valuable details related to the site’s theme, including its official name, author, developer info, version, etc. When searching for “Theme Name” or “Author” sections in Style.css files, you’ll be able to get all the info at once.

9.    Theme URL

Within the Style.css files, sometimes there is a “Theme URL” field. That is not the case with every website, but some websites still do have that in their source code. If it is there, use that link, and it will take you to the official developer’s site that developed that theme. There, you can get all other info related to the theme.

Tips for Accurate WordPress Theme Identification

While it is easy to identify the theme of a WordPress website, at times, things can be tricky, and you might end up getting frustrated by not being able to find the right theme. To help you avoid that frustration, here are some tips:

1.    Inspect the Website Source Code

Examining the website’s source code is the most reliable method to determine the WordPress theme. Right-click on the web page and choose “View Page Source” or “Inspect Element” (depending on your browser).

Look for the <link> and <script> tags referencing the theme’s stylesheets and scripts. The theme’s name or identifier can often be found within these files, either in comments or the filename.

2.    Utilize WordPress Theme Databases and Directories

Several online databases and directories maintain records of thousands of WordPress themes. Platforms like “WordPress.org/themes” and “ThemeForest.net” allow you to search for specific themes.

By comparing the design and features of a website with the themes listed in these databases, you can narrow down potential matches.

3.    Rely on Theme Detection Tools

Some online tools and browser extensions are designed to detect the WordPress theme of a website. Tools like “What WordPress Theme Is That” and “ScanWP” analyze a given website’s code and provide information about the detected theme and its version.

However, it’s essential to cross-reference with other methods since not all tools are entirely accurate.

4.    Identify Frameworks and Parent Themes

Some websites use custom themes built upon frameworks or parent themes. While they might not reveal the exact theme, they can provide valuable clues.

Look for framework-specific functions or theme indicators to understand which framework the theme is based on. Knowing the parent theme can help narrow down your search for the specific child theme in use.

5.    Check for Attribution or Footer Information

WordPress themes often include attribution in the website’s footer or credits section. This attribution may include the theme name, author, or a link to the theme’s website. Scroll down to the website’s footer and check for any information that could lead to the identification of the theme.

6.    Seek Research and Community Assistance

If all else fails, consider reaching out to the WordPress community for assistance. Posting in WordPress forums or discussion groups can be helpful, as experienced users might recognize the theme or offer insights to aid in the identification process.

7.    Verify with the Theme Developer

Once you believe you have identified the theme, visit the theme developer’s website or official theme page to verify the information. Some theme authors offer demos or showcases, allowing you to compare your findings with the official presentation.

Why Respecting Copyright and Licensing is Essential?

Although it is allowed to use similar themes on multiple websites, some premium theme developers come up with strict licensing and copyright measures. Respecting these measures is essential if you do not want to end up in trouble. While finding themes of certain websites, take into practice the following:

1.    Comprehending Theme Licensing

WordPress themes typically adhere to specific licensing terms that govern their usage. Many themes are released under the GNU General Public License (GPL), allowing users to modify, share, and distribute the theme liberally.

However, certain premium themes might come with more restrictive licensing, necessitating explicit permission from the developer for its utilization.

2.    Permission and Attribution

Before employing or replicating a theme you’ve discovered on another website, ensure that you acquire proper authorization from the theme’s creator or abide by the developer’s licensing terms.

Even when a theme is freely available under the GPL, it’s courteous to attribute it adequately, giving due credit to the original developer.

3.    Steering Clear of Piracy

Engaging in theme piracy is a critical pitfall to avoid, as it entails using premium themes without the proper licensing or payment.

Piracy not only infringes upon copyright laws but also undermines theme developers’ hard work and creativity, dissuading them from crafting new and innovative products in the future.

4.    Respecting Privacy

While identifying a website’s theme through various methods is often possible, it’s imperative to respect the website owner’s privacy and terms of service.

Steer clear of invasive techniques or data scraping that could compromise their security or user experience.

5.    Relying on Official Sources

In your quest for themes or theme-related information, rely on reputable and official sources such as WordPress.org, well-established theme marketplaces, or the website’s “about” or “credits” section.

Avoid downloading themes from dubious websites or unauthorized sources, as they might contain malicious code or be distributed unlawfully.

6.    Embracing Originality and Creativity

While discovering and replicating a theme can be beneficial for inspiration or educational purposes, always strive to infuse your own touch and creativity into the design.

Crafting a unique website that reflects your brand and personality yields greater rewards in the long run and sets you apart from others who might be using the same theme.

The Bottom Line

As said, if done accurately, discovering the theme of a WordPress is indeed easy. At times, it can spark excitement, but in reality, doing so proves to be beneficial for developers, website owners, and enthusiasts alike.

There are millions of themes available that are compatible with the WordPress CMS, and finding them out could have been daunting if not for the methods discussed above.

Moreover, if you are a starter and want to build a new website but have no inspiration, then theme identification is something that can help. It can give you ideas related to visual layouts, new design trends, possible elements, and other functional possibilities.

However, while doing it, you must remember that you are walking around the intellectual property of theme creators. So, make sure you abide by all the copyright and licensing measures to stay out of any unnecessary trouble.