How many websites use WordPress is a common question for anyone curious about the web today. WordPress is not just a blogging tool anymore—it powers blogs, business sites, online stores, and even enterprise platforms, and as of today, you can use it to build powerful SaaS projects. Knowing how many websites use WordPress helps us understand its role in shaping the internet and why it remains the most popular content management system (CMS).
Direct Answer: What Is the Percentage Usage?
As of September 2025, 43.4% of all websites globally use WordPress. This equals more than 564 million websites. When looking only at sites that use a CMS, WordPress holds an even larger 60.8% market share, showing its clear dominance in the CMS space.
Defining the Metrics & Data Sources
When we ask how many websites use WordPress, the answer depends on how the data is measured. Not every website is active, and not every website uses a content management system (CMS). Some are static pages, while others run on custom-built platforms.
To get accurate numbers, most statistics come from trusted industry trackers such as W3Techs and Netcraft. These organizations scan millions of domains and identify which technologies each site is using. The reports then calculate two main figures:
- Share of all websites: the percentage of every website online that runs on WordPress.
- Share among CMS websites: the percentage of sites using WordPress compared only to those that run on a CMS.
These two perspectives matter. Looking at all websites shows WordPress’ place in the wider internet, while CMS-only data highlights its dominance among platforms people actively choose to manage content.
Current Usage Figures (2025)
WordPress continues to lead the web in 2025. The latest data shows that:
- 43.4% of all websites use WordPress.
- That equals more than 564 million websites worldwide.
- Among websites that use a CMS, WordPress holds a 60.8% market share.
These numbers confirm that WordPress is still the most widely used platform for building websites. Whether it’s a personal blog, a business site, or an online store, WordPress powers more than four out of every ten sites you visit online.
Historical Trends & Growth
WordPress has grown steadily since its launch in 2003. What started as a simple blogging tool is now the leading CMS on the web.
- In 2011, WordPress powered about 13% of all websites.
- By 2015, that number had risen to 25%.
- In 2020, usage crossed 35%.
- As of 2025, WordPress powers 43.4% of all websites.
This steady rise shows how WordPress has expanded from blogs into business websites, online stores, portfolios, and enterprise platforms. The growth also reflects the strength of its open-source community, wide plugin ecosystem, and ease of use compared to other CMS options.
Comparative CMS Landscape
While WordPress leads the market, other CMS platforms also hold notable shares. The latest figures show:
- Shopify powers around 4.5% of all websites, making it the second most popular CMS.
- Wix is used by about 2.5% of websites.
- Squarespace holds roughly 2.0%.
- Joomla and Drupal, once major players, now account for less than 2% each.
Compared to these platforms, WordPress remains far ahead. Its market share of 60.8% among CMS websites highlights how dominant it is. The wide range of themes, plugins, and community support makes WordPress the first choice for many site owners, from small blogs to enterprise websites.
WordPress Ecosystem Scale
The size of the WordPress ecosystem is one of the main reasons for its popularity. Users have access to a huge library of themes, plugins, and tools that extend what the platform can do.
- The official directory lists over 60,000 free plugins.
- There are more than 10,000 free themes, with thousands more premium options available.
- Popular plugins like Yoast SEO, WooCommerce, and Elementor are active on millions of sites.
This scale makes WordPress flexible for almost any type of website. From simple blogs to complex e-commerce stores, the ecosystem provides ready solutions without needing custom development.
WordPress in E-Commerce (WooCommerce)
E-commerce is one of the strongest areas for WordPress, thanks to WooCommerce, its most popular plugin.
- WooCommerce powers over 6.5 million websites worldwide.
- This equals about 13% of all websites that use WordPress.
- Among online stores, WooCommerce holds nearly 40% of the e-commerce platform market share.
WooCommerce turns a WordPress site into a full online store with product pages, carts, checkout, and payment options. Its popularity comes from being free to start, easy to set up, and supported by thousands of add-ons for shipping, marketing, and payment gateways.
Regional & Niche Usage Patterns
WordPress is used across the world, but adoption varies by region and industry.
- In the United States and Europe, WordPress powers a large share of business sites, blogs, and news platforms.
- In Asia and Africa, many small businesses use WordPress because it is low-cost, easy to localize, and supports multilingual sites.
- Creative industries such as design, photography, and media often choose WordPress for its flexible themes and visual plugins.
- For nonprofits, schools, and government projects, WordPress is common because it is open-source and budget-friendly.
These patterns show how WordPress adapts to different needs, from local businesses to global enterprises.
Implications & Takeaways
The usage numbers show why WordPress remains the first choice for building websites. Its wide adoption means:
- Strong community support – help is easy to find through forums, tutorials, and developers.
- More business opportunities – agencies, freelancers, and plugin creators can reach a large user base.
- Regular updates and security fixes – a big market ensures WordPress stays active and maintained.
- Flexibility for growth – users can start small with a blog and expand into e-commerce or enterprise use.
For anyone planning a new website, these points make WordPress a reliable and future-ready option.
Popular Themes and Plugins Available on WordPress
WordPress offers a large variety of themes and plugins, both in its official directories and from third-party providers.
- Themes: Over 10,000 free themes are available in the official directory, with thousands more premium options sold online. Popular themes include Astra, GeneratePress, and OceanWP.
- Plugins: More than 60,000 free plugins are listed in the official directory. Top plugins include Yoast SEO, Elementor, Contact Form 7, and WooCommerce.
- Third-party marketplace options: Premium plugins and themes from providers like Envato and Elegant Themes add even more choices.
These tools make it possible to create almost any type of website—blogs, portfolios, business sites, or online stores—without coding.