Want to run WordPress in your native language? With full translations available in over 65 languages, it's easier than ever. As WordPress experts with years of hands-on experience powering multilingual sites, we'll walk you through every step to set it up seamlessly.
This comprehensive, step-by-step tutorial includes quick navigation to key sections:
For visual learners, watch our detailed video tutorial below. Prefer reading? Follow the text guide ahead.
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Since WordPress 4.0, enhanced internationalization lets you select your site's language right during setup—ideal for localized instructions.
If you skipped this, no worries—you can switch languages anytime via settings.
Switching is simple: Navigate to Settings » General in your dashboard, scroll to the bottom, and pick your language from the dropdown.
WordPress supports translations in over 162 languages, but only fully translated ones (62) appear by default. Don't see yours? We'll cover manual installs next.
WordPress relies on gettext for translations: Volunteers create .po (source) and .mo (compiled) files from a .pot template.
Check availability on the WordPress translation teams page.
Click the percentage for your language, then the current WordPress version to access GlotPress.
Scroll to Export: Download .mo (Machine Object) and .po (Portable Object) files.
Unzip, then use FTP to upload to /wp-content/languages/.
Refresh Settings » General—your language now appears. Select it.
Need English admin while site is multilingual? Perfect for devs or non-native admins.
Install the English WordPress Admin plugin (see our plugin install guide).
It adds a language switcher to the admin bar for per-user control.
Detailed steps in our English admin guide.
WordPress handles languages well, but managing multi-language content needs help. Plugins simplify this.
Our top pick: WPML, used by thousands for professional multilingual sites.
Full WPML guide here. For free: Polylang—check our tutorial.
No translation yet? Contribute! WordPress is volunteer-driven open source. (Why is WordPress free?)
Join at Translating WordPress.
This guide should get your multilingual WordPress running smoothly. Explore our 24 must-have plugins next.
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