With the arrival of Full Site Editing (FSE) in WordPress, users now have the tools to design and customize their entire website using blocks—from headers and footers to sidebars and single post templates. FSE-compatible block themes are specially built to take full advantage of this functionality, providing flexibility, ease of use, and endless customization options. Better yet, many of the best themes are completely free, making them accessible for anyone looking to build or redesign a site.
Here are the 5 best WordPress block themes for Full Site Editing that combine modern design, intuitive customization, and solid performance.
1. Twenty Twenty-Four
As the default theme released with WordPress 6.4, Twenty Twenty-Four is a robust example of what FSE has to offer. It features a clean, modern design that’s suitable for blogs, portfolios, and business sites. The theme comes with multiple pre-designed patterns and page templates that you can customize entirely with the block editor.
Key Features:
- Clean, typography-focused layout
- Great accessibility and performance
- Pre-made patterns for quick layout building
2. Ollie
Ollie has quickly become a fan favorite among WordPress users who want a beautiful, modern look with a lightweight build. Designed by the developers at WP Engine, this theme includes a variety of layout styles, bold typography, and helpful starter content that makes it ideal for freelancers and small businesses.
Key Features:
- Easy to use for beginners
- Modern, minimal design
- Strong focus on speed and performance
3. Frost
Frost is a powerful and elegant block theme developed to showcase what FSE is capable of. It’s favored by professionals looking to build visually stunning sites with simple customization. Frost includes a selection of polished templates and block patterns that make designing hero sections, portfolio layouts, and content grids effortless.
Key Features:
- Professional design and layout combinations
- Responsive out of the box
- Beautiful pre-styled blocks and typography
4. Blockbase
Developed by Automattic (the team behind WordPress.com), Blockbase is more than just a theme—it serves as a foundation for other WordPress block themes. It offers a boilerplate design that’s highly customizable, making it a favorite for developers and site builders who want to create with flexibility in mind.
Key Features:
- Highly flexible base for custom themes
- Minimal and lightweight style
- Regularly updated with core WordPress changes
5. Tove
Tove brings joyful design and playful elements to FSE. Originally created for café and restaurant websites, the theme’s soft color palette, friendly layout styles, and extensive pattern library make it highly adaptable to other niches as well.
Key Features:
- More than 40 block patterns included
- Designed for hospitality but useful for various niches
- Colorful, visually engaging layouts
Conclusion
Full Site Editing represents a new era in WordPress customization. These block themes highlight the best of what FSE can achieve—beautiful designs, full control over layouts, and an easier experience for both beginners and advanced users. Whether you’re starting a new project or upgrading an existing site, these themes offer a strong foundation to build on—all while being free or offering free versions to get you started.
FAQs
1. What is Full Site Editing (FSE) in WordPress?
FSE is a WordPress feature that allows users to edit every part of their site—header, footer, templates, and more—using the block editor.
2. Are block themes different from classic themes?
Yes. Block themes are specifically designed to be used with the new site editor in WordPress and take full advantage of Gutenberg blocks, unlike classic themes which still rely on the traditional Customizer.
3. Can I use plugins with block themes?
Absolutely. Plugins work with block themes the same way they do with classic themes. In fact, many plugins now offer block-based elements for richer integration.
4. Do I need coding knowledge to use FSE themes?
Not at all. FSE themes are designed for visual editing through a drag-and-drop interface. However, developers can still access and customize code as needed.
5. Are all block themes free?
Many are free or offer robust free versions, but some also offer premium upgrades with additional features and support.