When working with WordPress, it’s crucial to know which PHP version you are using, as it can significantly impact your website’s performance and security. In this blog post, we’ll cover three simple methods for checking the PHP version used by your WordPress site.
1. Check PHP Version via Hosting Control Panel
Most web hosting providers offer a control panel such as cPanel, Plesk, or a custom solution. These control panels usually display your PHP version in a system information section or provide a PHP configuration page.
Log in to your hosting control panel and look for any information related to PHP or a PHP configuration page. The PHP version should be displayed there.
2. Use a WordPress Plugin
Another way to check the PHP version in WordPress is to use a plugin. There are several plugins available that provide information about your server environment, including the PHP version. One of the most popular plugins for this purpose is Display PHP Version.
To use the Display PHP Version plugin, follow these steps:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Go to Plugins > Add New.
- Search for “Display PHP Version” and install the plugin by the same name created by David Gwyer.
- Activate the plugin.
- Once activated, go to Dashboard > Home, and you’ll see the PHP version displayed in the “At a Glance” widget.
3. Create a Custom PHP Info File
The last method we’ll cover for checking the PHP version in WordPress is to manually create a custom PHP info file. This file will display information about your server’s PHP configuration, including the version.
Follow these steps to create a PHP info file:
- Create a new text file and name it phpinfo.php.
- Open the file and add the following code:
- Save the file and upload it to the root directory of your WordPress installation using an FTP client or your hosting control panel’s file manager.
- Now, navigate to https://yourdomain.com/phpinfo.php (replace “yourdomain.com” with your actual domain), and you’ll see a page displaying your PHP configuration details, including the version.
- After checking the PHP version, don’t forget to remove the phpinfo.php file from your server, as it can expose sensitive information about your server configuration.
<?php
phpinfo();
?>
Conclusion
Knowing the PHP version used by your WordPress site is essential for ensuring optimal performance, security, and compatibility with plugins and themes. By following any of the three methods outlined in this post, you’ll be able to quickly and easily determine your site’s PHP version.