Cover block

Go back to the list of Blocks

The Cover block lets you add a background color, image or video with a text overlay. It is often used for headers and other banner-style displays.

Adding and configuring a cover block

Add a Cover block

To add the Cover block, click the (+) icon to open the block inserter pop-up window. Look for the Cover block using the search bar and click the block icon to add it to the editor.

Alternatively, you can quickly add the Cover block by typing /cover and pressing Enter.

Add a cover block by typing /cover in the editor

Detailed instructions on adding blocks

Initial options

Once you add the Cover block, you have a few options to choose to get started:

  • Upload an image or video from your device
  • Choose Select Media to choose from an existing image or video on your site.
  • Select the Use featured image option to set the the featured image of your page or post as the cover background
  • Pick a background color for the cover block by clicking a palette color circle
    • You can later change it to another color in the block settings.
  • Resize the Cover block by dragging the bottom border and moving it up and down.
Options when adding a new cover block including buttons to upload media, view the media library, use a featured image or choose a background color from the palette

Resizing the Cover block

The Cover block comes with a resize handle which appears below the Cover block when dragging. You can resize the block by moving the handle up and down.

This change will set a Minimum height value that you can see in the Block Settings – Styles toolbar. You can also change the size by updating this number.


Resizing the cover block from handles and block settings

You can set the the featured image of your page or post as the Cover block background.

Adding a cover block with a Featured Image and Page Title block

Block toolbar

Each block toolbar comes with different options. These block toolbars let you customize or modify the block in the editor. To view the Cover block toolbar, select the block, and it will show a list of toolbar options.

The Cover block has the following tools:

  • Transform to
  • Moving handles
  • Change alignment
  • Change content position
  • Toggle full height
  • Replace
  • More options
Image showing the block toolbar for the block
Image showing the block toolbar for the block

Transform to

Block toolbar transform options

The Transform to tool allows you to convert the Cover block into the following blocks:

  • Image
  • Columns
  • Group
  • Media & Text
  • Video

Moving handles

The blog moving tool for the cover block

The up and down arrow icons can be used to shift a block up and down in your document.

The drag and drop tool tool for the cover block

Or you can drag the six dots icon allows you to freely reposition the Cover block anywhere within the editor by holding the icon and dragging the block to the new location.

Get more information about moving a block within the editor.

Change alignment

Changing the alignment of the Cover block
Changing the alignment of the Cover block

Use the Change alignment tool to modify the alignment of the Cover block. Select the tool and pick one of the following alignment options:

  • None – Leaves the block the current size.
  • Wide width – Increase the width of the post beyond the content size.
  • Full width – Extend the block to cover the full width of the screen.
  • Align left – Make the block left-aligned.
  • Align center – Make the block alignment centered.
  • Align right – Make the block right aligned.

Change content position

The change content position tool for the cover block

The Change content position lets you modify the position of the Paragraph block within the Cover block. You can position the Paragraph block on the top left to the bottom right of the Cover block.

Toggle full height

The full height toggle for the cover block

This option allows the Cover block to take up the height of the reader’s screen to create an immersive experience.

Add Media / Replace

The replace button for the cover block

In a new Cover block you will see an Add Media button. If your Cover block already has a background image or video, choosing Replace will allow you to select a new image or video file for your block.

More options

These controls give you the option to copy, duplicate, and edit your block as HTML.

Read about these and other settings.

Block settings

Every block has specific options in the editor sidebar in addition to the options found in the block toolbar. If you do not see the sidebar, click on the Settings button next to the Save/Publish button.

The Cover block settings panel is divided into two tabs – Settings and Styles. It contains the following sections:

Layout

In the Layout section, you will see the following customization options:

  • The Inner blocks use the content width toggle button, allowing nested blocks to use content width with options for full and wide widths.
  • The Content width settings let you customize the width for all elements assigned to the center or wide columns.

Settings

Block settings for cover block with an image

Fixed background

In the block settings on the sidebar, you have some other options, the first of which is a toggle for a fixed background. A fixed background means the cover image scrolls along with your page. Turning this option off embeds the image in place, so the image doesn’t scroll.

Repeated background

Repeated background settings for the cover image

The Repeated background option lets you repeat the same image to form a pattern in the Cover block. For example, if you have a small image and you want it to repeat multiple times in the Cover block, you can enable this option.

You can use the Repeated background toggle in combination with Fixed background, but Fixed background does not necessarily have to be turned on. Feel free to play around with these options to find what suits your needs.

Focal point picker

If the fixed background option is turned off, you will see the focal point picker. This tool lets you identify the main point of interest in the photo and highlight. Click on the picker to drag it to the spot you want, or use the left and top position percentages below to set it manually.

Demonstrating using the focal point picker to focus on the bottom of the picture

Set poster image (for videos)

The Cover Block supports setting a poster images for videos, enhancing accessibility for users with slow internet or mobile devices. After uploading a video, you’ll see the option available and can upload the image of your choosing.

Resolution

Cover block has been enhanced with new image resolution controls. You now have access to Resolution dropdown when selecting either a Featured Image, existing image from Media Library or uploading new image. This dropdown allows you to choose from available image sizes such as Thumbnail, Medium, Large and Full Size, helping you optimize for performance and visual quality.

Alternative text

The alternative text field allows you to add an alternative text for the cover image that makes the content of the image accessible to a person who is using a screen reader.

Color

Color options in Block settings toolbar

With the Color settings, you can customize the Cover block by adding text, background, and link colors. The color selections vary depending on your active theme.

You can also add a gradient color to the Cover block. To do that, transform the block into the Media & Text block. Click the Background option and select the Gradient tab. Choose a color from the list. Convert the Media & Text block back into the Cover block.

Learn more about the Color settings.

Filter options

The Filters section contains the Apply duotone filter option. So, you can enable the duotone filter from the block settings panel

Read more about the filter options.

Typography

The Typography settings enable you to customize the font and text appearance of the content within the Cover block. The settings have various options, such as font size, font style, font family, and letter spacing.

Get more details about changing typography settings

Dimensions

Cover block dimension controls in block settings

The Cover block provides dimension settings options to add padding, margin and block spacing. You can also choose an aspect ratio and a minimum height.

Learn more about dimension controls

Border & Shadow

The Cover block provides border settings options to add border color, width, radius and shadow.

Learn more about border & shadow settings

Advanced

The Advanced tab lets you add HTML anchor and CSS class(es) to your block.

HTML element lets you choose between these HTML elements: Div, header, footer, main, section, article, and aside. It will default to div if another option isn’t selected. While more advanced, this option allows you to add semantic elements that can be used to define different parts of a web page. For example, if you’re using the Cover block as part of your Header, it would make sense to define it as such.

HTML anchor allows you to make a unique web address for a particular Cover block. Then, you’ll be able to link directly to a Cover block of your page.

The Additional CSS class(es) lets you add CSS class(es) to your block, allowing you to write custom CSS and style the block as you see fit.

The Manage allowed blocks button lets you specify which blocks are allowed inside this container.

Changelog

  • Updated 2026-04-17 (props to @awetz583 @Joe4510 @charisseannt @CalolanC @atachibana @keyurdave)
    • Updated top video and video for focal point picker
    • Added Manage allowed blocks setting
  • Updated 2026-01-17
    • Updated screenshots and video
  • Updated 2025-11-27
    • Added new poster image option when adding videos.
  • Updated 2025-06-28
    • Added new image Resolution option for 6.8
      Added two new videos showcasing the new Resolution option
  • Updated 2023-11-21
    • consistency changes for Cover block mentions in text
  • Updated 2023-11-11
    • Updated all headings to sentence case
  • Updated 2023-10-04
    • Updated for 6.3
  • Updated 2023-03-27
    • Updated video on using a featured image in a Cover block.
    • Updated information about the HTML element section.
  • Updated 2023-03-02
    • Changed the screenshot to reflect the new changes
    • Added the Duotone filter
    • Information/video about how to resize the cover block
    • HTML element
  • Updated 2022-12-12
    • Added typography and dimension settings
  • Updated 2022-11-26
    • Made images more mobile responsive
    • Added captions to images
    • replaces redundant content
  • Updated 2022-02-04
    • Screenshots for WordPress 5.9
  • Updated 2021-02-23
    • Screenshots per WordPress 5.7
    • Added feature change to Block Toolbar: Full Height Alignment
  • Updated 2020-12-14
    • Added Repeated background in Block Settings
  • Updated 2020-08-24
    • Screenshots and videos as per WordPress 5.5
    • Added feature changes in Block Toolbar
    • Added feature changes in Block Settings
  • Updated 2020-06-18
    • Added “Go back to the list of Blocks” to the top of the page
  • Updated 2020-04-28
    • Changed Category to “Common Blocks”
  • Updated 2019-11-27
    • Updated animated GIF to video
  • Created 2020-03-07

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