A dropdown menu is one of the easiest ways to organize your WordPress site. It helps you place many pages under one main menu item so your visitors can browse smoothly. Instead of showing everything on a long menu bar, you can group items neatly under a parent menu item. This gives your site a cleaner look and makes your WordPress navigation easier to understand.
Most themes come with a built-in menu system, so you can create a WordPress dropdown menu without installing anything. If you want more menu style options or features like icons and mega menus, you can use WordPress plugins such as Max Mega Menu. But the default WordPress menu editor is enough for most websites.
Dropdown menus are helpful for blogs, business websites, portfolios, online shops, and more. When you create one, your site becomes easier to use on desktop and mobile.
Prerequisites Before You Create a Dropdown Menu
Before you open the menu editor, you need just a few basic things ready.
Theme Support
Your theme must support navigation menus. Most themes include at least one Primary Menu location. You can see supported menu locations by going to:
Appearance → Menus
or
Appearance → Customize → Menus
If you see menu locations listed, your theme supports dropdown menus.
Pages, Categories, and Custom Links
To build a dropdown menu, you need items to add. These can include:
- Pages you already published
- Categories for blog posts
- Custom links for external pages
These will appear in the Add Menu Items section, where you can click Add to Menu.
Optional Menu Plugins
If you want more menu functionality than the default WordPress menu offers, you may need:
- Max Mega Menu plugin
- WP Mega Menu
- QuadMenu
These plugins allow you to create a mega menu, add menu images, adjust menu style, and improve your mobile menu.
How to Create a Dropdown Menu in WordPress (Using the WordPress Customizer)
The WordPress Customizer lets you see live changes as you build your drop-down menu.
How to Open the WordPress Customizer
- Log in to your WordPress site.
- Go to Appearance → Customize.
- Select Menus from the menu options.
Inside the Customizer, you can create a new menu, change menu settings, and edit your menu structure while previewing your site.
How to Create a New Menu
- Click Create New Menu.
- Enter your menu name (example: Main Menu).
- Choose a menu location, such as Primary Menu.
- Click Next.
This is the first step to create a WordPress dropdown menu.
How to Add Menu Items
- Click Add Items.
- Choose Pages, Posts, Categories, or Custom Links.
- Click Add to Menu for each item.
These items will appear in the menu structure section.
How to Create a Parent and Child Menu (Dropdown)
To create dropdown menus in WordPress using drag and drop:
- Add all the items you want.
- Drag a menu item under another item.
- Move it slightly to the right until it becomes a sub-item.
That’s it—your drop-down menu is created.
How to Set Menu Location
Choose where your menu appears.
Most themes offer:
- Primary Menu
- Sidebar Menu
- Footer Menu
Check Primary Menu if you want it to appear in your site’s header.
How to Save and Publish Your Dropdown Menu
In the Customizer, click the Publish button (the blue button).
This saves your menu and makes it live on your WordPress site.
How to Create a Non-Clickable Parent Menu
Sometimes, you want to create a dropdown without letting users click the parent.
Here’s the way to create one:
- Go to Custom Links.
- Enter # as the URL.
- Add a label (example: Services).
- Click Add to Menu.
- Drag child items under it.
Now your parent menu item opens the dropdown but doesn’t link anywhere.
How to Create a Dropdown Menu in WordPress (Block-Based Site Editor)
(For block themes like Twenty Twenty-Three, Twenty Twenty-Four, etc.)
How to Access the Site Editor
- Go to Appearance → Editor.
- Open the template that contains your navigation, usually the header.
Editing the Navigation Block
Find the Navigation block in your header.
Click it once to see menu options.
You can:
- Add menu items
- Reorder menu items
- Create submenus
- Change the style of the menu
Adding Top-Level Items
Click the + button inside the navigation block to add:
- Pages
- Custom links
- Categories
These become your main menu items.
Creating Submenu Items (Dropdown)
To add a dropdown:
- Select a main menu item.
- Click the Submenu icon or option.
- Add items inside the submenu block.
This creates a WordPress dropdown menu using blocks.
Styling and Publishing the Menu
You can adjust:
- Font size
- Spacing
- Menu color
- Hover style
- Mobile menu behavior
When finished, click Save in the Site Editor.
Bonus: Creating a Mega Menu in Block Themes
If you want a mega menu, you need a mega menu plugin like:
- Max Mega Menu
- WP Mega Menu
- QuadMenu
Enable the plugin and pair it with the Navigation block, then assign your menu in the plugin settings.
How to Create Dropdown Menus Using WordPress Plugins
Plugins offer more control and menu functionality than the default WordPress menu.
Max Mega Menu
Max Mega Menu plugin replaces your default menu and allows you to:
- Add icons
- Add menu images
- Create multi-column mega menus
- Customize the style of the menu
- Improve your mobile menu
It is great for large websites.
WP Mega Menu
This plugin offers:
- Drag-and-drop building
- Custom colors
- Better hover effects
- Advanced styling options
Good for beginners.
QuadMenu
QuadMenu works with most WordPress themes and gives you options like:
- Tabs
- Mega menus
- Icons
- Animations
- User role controls
When and Why to Use Menu Plugins
Use a plugin when you need:
- A mega menu
- Better design options
- Mega menu → menu locations control
- Advanced menu style settings
- Better mobile responsiveness
Plugins allow you to create menu styles that default WordPress cannot.
Steps to Create a Dropdown or Mega Menu Using Plugins
- Install a menu plugin.
- Enable it for your existing menu.
- Open Menus in your WordPress dashboard.
- Add menu items as usual.
- Drag and drop to create dropdowns.
- Use plugin options to design your mega menu.
- Click the Save Menu button.
How to Create a Non-Clickable Parent Menu Using Plugins
Most plugins allow disabling menu links:
- Set URL to #, OR
- Use plugin settings to disable link click
This helps you create a dropdown menu without letting users click the parent item.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Making Parent Items Clickable
If you don’t want a link, make it non-clickable.
Adding Too Many Menu Items
Keep your menu clean and simple.
Poor Mobile Responsiveness
Always test on mobile.
Bad Hover or Click Behavior
Fix timing issues using plugin settings.
Styling and Alignment Issues
Match your theme design.
Accessibility Problems
Ensure keyboard navigation works.
Not Testing the Menu
Always check multiple devices and browsers.
Tips for Designing a User-Friendly Dropdown Menu
Clear Labeling
Use simple labels.
Logical Grouping
Group items under one main menu item.
Limit Submenu Depth
Avoid deep dropdowns.
Visual Cues
Use arrows or color changes.
Responsive and Mobile-Friendly Design
Your mobile menu must work smoothly.
Accessibility Support
Allow keyboard navigation.
Let’s Conclude
A WordPress dropdown menu makes your site easier to explore.
Clear navigation improves user experience and keeps your visitors engaged.
Benefits of Dropdown Menus
- Cleaner layout
- Better organization
- Easy navigation
- Works well on mobile
Why Simpler Menus Improve UX
Simple menus reduce confusion and help users move quickly.
Final Tips
- Use short labels
- Avoid clutter
- Check the mobile menu
- Test before publishing
Need Professional Help?
If you wanA dropdown menu is one of the easiest ways to organize your WordPress site. It helps you place many pages under one main menu item so your visitors can browse smoothly. Instead of showing everything on a long menu bar, you can group items neatly under a parent menu item. This gives your site a cleaner look and makes your WordPress navigation easier to understand.
Most themes come with a built-in menu system, so you can create a WordPress dropdown menu without installing anything. If you want more menu style options or features like icons and mega menus, you can use WordPress plugins such as Max Mega Menu. But the default WordPress menu editor is enough for most websites.
Dropdown menus are helpful for blogs, business websites, portfolios, online shops, and more. When you create one, your site becomes easier to use on desktop and mobile.
Prerequisites Before You Create a Dropdown Menu
Before you open the menu editor, you need just a few basic things ready.
Theme Support
Your theme must support navigation menus. Most themes include at least one Primary Menu location. You can see supported menu locations by going to:
Appearance → Menus
or
Appearance → Customize → Menus
If you see menu locations listed, your theme supports dropdown menus.
Pages, Categories, and Custom Links
To build a dropdown menu, you need items to add. These can include:
- Pages you already published
- Categories for blog posts
- Custom links for external pages
These will appear in the Add Menu Items section, where you can click Add to Menu.
Optional Menu Plugins
If you want more menu functionality than the default WordPress menu offers, you may need:
- Max Mega Menu plugin
- WP Mega Menu
- QuadMenu
These plugins allow you to create a mega menu, add menu images, adjust menu style, and improve your mobile menu.
How to Create a Dropdown Menu in WordPress (Using the WordPress Customizer)
The WordPress Customizer lets you see live changes as you build your drop-down menu.
How to Open the WordPress Customizer
- Log in to your WordPress site.
- Go to Appearance → Customize.
- Select Menus from the menu options.
Inside the Customizer, you can create a new menu, change menu settings, and edit your menu structure while previewing your site.
How to Create a New Menu
- Click Create New Menu.
- Enter your menu name (example: Main Menu).
- Choose a menu location, such as Primary Menu.
- Click Next.
This is the first step to create a WordPress dropdown menu.
How to Add Menu Items
- Click Add Items.
- Choose Pages, Posts, Categories, or Custom Links.
- Click Add to Menu for each item.
These items will appear in the menu structure section.
How to Create a Parent and Child Menu (Dropdown)
To create dropdown menus in WordPress using drag and drop:
- Add all the items you want.
- Drag a menu item under another item.
- Move it slightly to the right until it becomes a sub-item.
That’s it—your drop-down menu is created.
How to Set Menu Location
Choose where your menu appears.
Most themes offer:
- Primary Menu
- Sidebar Menu
- Footer Menu
Check Primary Menu if you want it to appear in your site’s header.
How to Save and Publish Your Dropdown Menu
In the Customizer, click the Publish button (the blue button).
This saves your menu and makes it live on your WordPress site.
How to Create a Non-Clickable Parent Menu
Sometimes, you want to create a dropdown without letting users click the parent.
Here’s the way to create one:
- Go to Custom Links.
- Enter # as the URL.
- Add a label (example: Services).
- Click Add to Menu.
- Drag child items under it.
Now your parent menu item opens the dropdown but doesn’t link anywhere.
How to Create a Dropdown Menu in WordPress (Block-Based Site Editor)
(For block themes like Twenty Twenty-Three, Twenty Twenty-Four, etc.)
How to Access the Site Editor
- Go to Appearance → Editor.
- Open the template that contains your navigation, usually the header.
Editing the Navigation Block
Find the Navigation block in your header.
Click it once to see menu options.
You can:
- Add menu items
- Reorder menu items
- Create submenus
- Change the style of the menu
Adding Top-Level Items
Click the + button inside the navigation block to add:
- Pages
- Custom links
- Categories
These become your main menu items.
Creating Submenu Items (Dropdown)
To add a dropdown:
- Select a main menu item.
- Click the Submenu icon or option.
- Add items inside the submenu block.
This creates a WordPress dropdown menu using blocks.
Styling and Publishing the Menu
You can adjust:
- Font size
- Spacing
- Menu color
- Hover style
- Mobile menu behavior
When finished, click Save in the Site Editor.
Bonus: Creating a Mega Menu in Block Themes
If you want a mega menu, you need a mega menu plugin like:
- Max Mega Menu
- WP Mega Menu
- QuadMenu
Enable the plugin and pair it with the Navigation block, then assign your menu in the plugin settings.
How to Create Dropdown Menus Using WordPress Plugins
Plugins offer more control and menu functionality than the default WordPress menu.
Max Mega Menu
Max Mega Menu plugin replaces your default menu and allows you to:
- Add icons
- Add menu images
- Create multi-column mega menus
- Customize the style of the menu
- Improve your mobile menu
It is great for large websites.
WP Mega Menu
This plugin offers:
- Drag-and-drop building
- Custom colors
- Better hover effects
- Advanced styling options
Good for beginners.
QuadMenu
QuadMenu works with most WordPress themes and gives you options like:
- Tabs
- Mega menus
- Icons
- Animations
- User role controls
When and Why to Use Menu Plugins
Use a plugin when you need:
- A mega menu
- Better design options
- Mega menu → menu locations control
- Advanced menu style settings
- Better mobile responsiveness
Plugins allow you to create menu styles that default WordPress cannot.
Steps to Create a Dropdown or Mega Menu Using Plugins
- Install a menu plugin.
- Enable it for your existing menu.
- Open Menus in your WordPress dashboard.
- Add menu items as usual.
- Drag and drop to create dropdowns.
- Use plugin options to design your mega menu.
- Click the Save Menu button.
How to Create a Non-Clickable Parent Menu Using Plugins
Most plugins allow disabling menu links:
- Set URL to #, OR
- Use plugin settings to disable link click
This helps you create a dropdown menu without letting users click the parent item.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Making Parent Items Clickable
If you don’t want a link, make it non-clickable.
Adding Too Many Menu Items
Keep your menu clean and simple.
Poor Mobile Responsiveness
Always test on mobile.
Bad Hover or Click Behavior
Fix timing issues using plugin settings.
Styling and Alignment Issues
Match your theme design.
Accessibility Problems
Ensure keyboard navigation works.
Not Testing the Menu
Always check multiple devices and browsers.
Tips for Designing a User-Friendly Dropdown Menu
Clear Labeling
Use simple labels.
Logical Grouping
Group items under one main menu item.
Limit Submenu Depth
Avoid deep dropdowns.
Visual Cues
Use arrows or color changes.
Responsive and Mobile-Friendly Design
Your mobile menu must work smoothly.
Accessibility Support
Allow keyboard navigation.
Let’s Conclude
A WordPress dropdown menu makes your site easier to explore.
Clear navigation improves user experience and keeps your visitors engaged.
Benefits of Dropdown Menus
- Cleaner layout
- Better organization
- Easy navigation
- Works well on mobile
Why Simpler Menus Improve UX
Simple menus reduce confusion and help users move quickly.
Final Tips
- Use short labels
- Avoid clutter
- Check the mobile menu
- Test before publishing
Need Professional Help?
If you want a clean, professional dropdown menu or a custom mega menu, our WordPress experts can help.
We can set up, design, and optimize your menu so it looks great and works on every device.
Contact us today for expert WordPress help.t a clean, professional dropdown menu or a custom mega menu, our WordPress experts can help.
We can set up, design, and optimize your menu so it looks great and works on every device.
Contact us today for expert WordPress help.
