Everything you need to know about every text block in the WordPress editor.
In the first article of this series, I explained what Gutenberg is and why blocks are the new standard. Now it’s time to get hands‑on.
Text is the foundation of almost every website. Blog posts, landing pages, about pages – they all rely on well‑formatted text. Gutenberg gives you eight dedicated text blocks, each designed for a specific purpose.
In this guide, I’ll cover each one:
- Paragraph
- Heading
- List
- Quote
- Pullquote
- Table
- Code
- Verse
By the end, you’ll know exactly which block to use and how to customize it.
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1. Paragraph Block – The Workhorse
What it does: The default block for standard text. You’ll use this more than any other.
When to use: Body text, descriptions, any regular content.
Key settings (in the right sidebar):
| Setting | Options | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Font size | Small, Normal, Medium, Large, Huge, Custom | Set hierarchy (normal for body, larger for emphasis) |
| Drop cap | On / Off | Adds large first letter (good for article introductions) |
| Color | Text color, Background color | Highlight important paragraphs |
| Typography | Letter spacing, line height, decoration | Fine‑tune design (use sparingly) |
| Advanced | HTML anchor, CSS classes | For developers linking to specific sections |
Pro tips:
- Use Custom font size (e.g., 18px) for better readability on mobile.
- Drop caps look great on long‑form articles but avoid on short paragraphs.
- Never change text color to something low‑contrast (check accessibility).
Shortcut: Type /paragraph or just start typing – new blocks default to Paragraph.
2. Heading Block – Structure Your Content
What it does: Creates section titles (H1–H6). Helps readers scan and search engines understand your content.
When to use: Each page/post should have one H1 (usually the title). Use H2 for main sections, H3 for subsections, H4–H6 rarely.
Key settings:
| Setting | Options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Level | H1 to H6 | Each page only one H1 |
| Text alignment | Left, center, right | Usually left for body, center for hero sections |
| Font size | Presets + custom | Often larger than paragraphs |
| Color | Text, background | Keep consistent with brand |
Best practices:
- Do not skip levels (e.g., H2 → H4). It confuses screen readers.
- Do not use headings just to make text bold – use Paragraph + bold or Strong block.
- Keep headings descriptive – “How to install WordPress” > “Click here”.
Shortcut: Type /heading then press Enter. Then type your level (e.g., /heading 2).
3. List Block – Organize Information
What it does: Creates bullet or numbered lists.
When to use: Steps, features, pros/cons, any sequence or group of items.
Key settings:
| Setting | Options |
|---|---|
| List type | Bulleted (•), Numbered (1., 2., 3.) |
| Reversed | On/Off (counts down) – for numbered lists |
| Starting value | Set custom start number (e.g., start at 5) |
Inside the block toolbar (when you select a list item):
- Indent / Outdent – create nested lists (sub‑bullets).
- Convert to text – turn list back into plain paragraphs.
Pro tips:
- Use numbered lists for steps or rankings.
- Use bulleted lists for features or unrelated items.
- Nest lists up to 3 levels deep (e.g., 1 → a → i).
Shortcut: Type /list or start a line with - (space) for bullet, 1. for numbered.
4. Quote Block – Highlight Someone’s Words
What it does: Displays quoted text with a distinct style (usually italic, left border).
When to use: Customer testimonials, book excerpts, expert opinions, or any text that isn’t yours.
Key settings:
| Setting | Options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Citation | Text field below quote | Add author name, source, or link |
| Alignment | Left, center, right | Center looks nice on short quotes |
| Font size | Custom | Usually larger than body text |
Styling tip:
Most themes style Quote blocks automatically. If you want a different look, you can add custom CSS or use a Pullquote (see below).
Example:
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
— Mark Twain
Shortcut: Type /quote.
5. Pullquote Block – Make a Statement
What it does: Similar to Quote but designed to stand out – larger text, often spanning full width or set against a background. Used to pull a key sentence from your article for emphasis.
When to use: Highlighting a surprising statistic, a key argument, or a memorable line from your own article.
Key settings:
| Setting | Options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Text alignment | Left, center, right | Center is most common |
| Border color | Pick from palette | Adds visual separation |
| Citation | Optional author | Smaller text below pullquote |
Difference from Quote:
- Quote = standard, subtle, for external citations.
- Pullquote = bold, visual, for internal emphasis or key takeaways.
Example (pullquote):
“Speed is not a feature. It’s a requirement.”
Shortcut: Type /pullquote.
6. Table Block – Display Data in Rows and Columns
What it does: Creates HTML tables directly in the editor.
When to use: Pricing comparisons, schedules, product specifications, any structured data.
Key settings:
| Setting | Options |
|---|---|
| Rows | Add or remove |
| Columns | Add or remove |
| Header | Optional first row as header |
| Footer | Optional last row as footer |
| Caption | Table title above the table |
| Cell styles | Bold, italic, alignment inside each cell |
| Striped rows | Some themes support this |
Pro tips:
- Keep tables simple. More than 5 columns becomes unreadable on mobile.
- Add a caption to explain what the table shows.
- Use the Header row – screen readers rely on it.
- Don’t use tables for layout – that’s what Columns block is for.
Shortcut: Type /table.
7. Code Block – Show Snippets
What it does: Displays code in a monospaced font with preserved spacing. Does not execute code – just shows it.
When to use: Tutorials, developer articles, any time you need to show HTML, CSS, PHP, JavaScript.
Key settings:
| Setting | Options |
|---|---|
| Content | Paste code manually |
| Preformatted | Preserves spaces and line breaks |
Pro tips:
- Do not use Code block for inline code (e.g.,
wp_query). Use the “Inline code” formatting (found in Paragraph toolbar under “More”). - For longer code snippets, consider a plugin like SyntaxHighlighter or Code Syntax Block for color highlighting.
Shortcut: Type /code.
8. Verse Block – Poetry or Prose with Preserved Spacing
What it does: Similar to Preformatted text but designed for poetry, lyrics, or any content where line breaks and spaces matter.
When to use: Poems, song lyrics, addresses, or any text where every space and line break must stay exactly as typed.
Key settings:
- Very few – just write. The block preserves spaces, line breaks, and uses a monospaced font.
Difference from Code block:
- Code block = monospaced, no auto‑wrapping, for code.
- Verse block = monospaced, respects formatting, for creative writing.
Shortcut: Type /verse.
Comparison Table: Which Text Block Should You Use?
| Block | Best for |
|---|---|
| Paragraph | Regular body text |
| Heading | Section titles, hierarchy |
| List | Bullet points, numbered steps |
| Quote | External citations, testimonials |
| Pullquote | Key takeaway from your own article |
| Table | Structured data, comparisons |
| Code | Code snippets (display only) |
| Verse | Poetry, lyrics, addresses |
📋 Quick Reference: Text Block Settings Summary
Most text blocks share these common settings in the right sidebar:
- Typography – font size, line height, letter spacing, appearance (bold, italic)
- Color – text color, background color
- Spacing – margin, padding
- Dimensions – block width
- Advanced – HTML anchor, CSS classes
Pro tip: Don’t over‑customize every block. Use theme’s global styles for consistency. Override only when necessary.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using Heading for large text – Use Paragraph with large font size instead.
- No hierarchy – Jumping from H1 to H3 skips H2. This hurts SEO and accessibility.
- Tables on mobile – Always preview your table on a phone. Swap columns/rows if needed.
- Forgetting list indentation – Nesting makes complex lists easier to understand.
- Using Quote block for your own words – Quote implies someone else said it. Use Pullquote for self‑emphasis.
What’s Next?
Now you’ve mastered text blocks. Next, we’ll cover Media Blocks – Image, Gallery, Cover, Audio, Video, and File.
👉 Next article in this series: Gutenberg Media Blocks – Images, Galleries, Cover & Video (Complete Guide)
Which text block do you use most? Any questions about specific settings? Drop a comment below.
First published: May 12, 2026
Last updated: May 12, 2026
📌 Key Takeaways (for skimmers)
- 8 text blocks in Gutenberg: Paragraph, Heading, List, Quote, Pullquote, Table, Code, Verse.
- Use Paragraph for most text, Heading for structure (one H1 per page).
- Lists can be nested (indented) and reversed.
- Quote = external; Pullquote = internal emphasis.
- Tables work but keep them simple (max 5 columns).
- Code and Verse preserve spacing but serve different purposes.
🔗 Internal Links
- Article #1 – Gutenberg & Blocks: Why This Is the New Standard
- Article #3 – Media Blocks (coming soon)