Setting up WordPress on localhost is the smartest and safest way to build, test, and practice website development without buying hosting or a domain. Whether you’re a beginner learning WordPress, a developer creating client websites, or a designer testing themes and plugins, installing WordPress locally gives you full control and flexibility right on your computer — no internet connection required.
In this guide, you will learn how to setup WordPress on localhost step-by-step using popular tools like XAMPP or WAMP. We will walk through everything — downloading WordPress, creating a local database, configuring your site, and accessing your local dashboard just like a real website online. By the end, you’ll have your own private WordPress environment ready for development and testing.
Let’s get started with the easiest and most beginner-friendly method to setup WordPress on localhost in just a few minutes.
When we say localhost, we mean your own computer acting like a web server (rather than hosting your site on the internet). Setting up WordPress locally means you’re building and testing your website offline, in a private environment.
You can experiment safely with themes, plugins and configurations without affecting a live site. WPZOOM+1
It’s typically faster because everything is running on your machine (no network latency).
Useful for learning, prototyping or preparing a site before pushing it live.
You can work offline or in restricted-connectivity environments.
To run WordPress on localhost, you’ll need:
A web server environment (Apache or Nginx)
PHP (the version supported by WordPress)
MySQL or MariaDB database
Your OS: Windows, macOS or Linux
Many “local server” packages (like XAMPP, WAMP, MAMP) bundle these together.
Choose the appropriate local server package for your operating system:
XAMPP: Works on Windows, macOS, Linux
WAMP: Windows only
MAMP: macOS (also Windows version)
Install the package, start the server modules (Apache & MySQL) and verify they’re running. Themeisle+2Local+2
Go to the official WordPress site and download the latest stable release. Extract the files to your local server’s “htdocs” or equivalent folder. wedevs.com+1
Download the installer from the official website of XAMPP, WAMP or MAMP.
Run the installer and follow the prompts. On Windows, you may see firewall notifications—allow access. Local
Once installed, open the control panel and start Apache and MySQL modules. If both show green / running status, you’re set.
To test the server, open your browser and type http://localhost. You should see a “It works!” screen or the local server’s dashboard.
If errors occur (e.g., port 80 in use, Apache failing to start), check firewall, or change the port in configuration (for advanced user). WPExperts+1
Open your browser and navigate to http://localhost/phpmyadmin.
Click on Databases tab → type a database name (e.g., wordpress_local) → choose collation utf8_unicode_ci → click Create.
In many local setups, default user is root with no password (especially on XAMPP) — fine for localhost only. If you prefer stronger setup, create a new user and assign permissions.
Extract the downloaded WordPress zip file and move its folder into your local server’s “htdocs” (Windows) or equivalent directory. For example: C:\xampp\htdocs\mywordsite.
Rename folder as desired (e.g., my-site, devsite). Then you will access via http://localhost/my-site/.
When you navigate to your folder in browser, WordPress will prompt to create a wp-config.php. You’ll need to enter:
Database name
Database user (‘root’ by default)
Password (blank by default)
Database host (‘localhost’)
Table prefix (default wp_)
Open http://localhost/your-folder‐name/ in browser.
Select your language.
Fill in site title, admin username, password, email.
Complete installation and log into dashboard: http://localhost/your‐folder/wp‐admin.
Once installation completes, use the credentials you created to login to http://localhost/yourfolder/wp-admin. You’ll see the familiar WordPress dashboard. From here you can install themes, plugins, create pages/posts — just like on a live site, but offline.
Ensure no other program is using port 80 (Skype, other servers).
Change Apache port to 8080 or something else via config if needed.
Check firewall or antivirus blocking service. WPExperts
Verify database name, user, password in wp-config.php.
Ensure MySQL is running.
In phpMyAdmin check user permissions. developer.wordpress.org+1
Confirm the server modules are running.
Use correct URL (e.g., http://localhost/my-site/).
Check your computer’s network/security settings.
While installing on localhost is great for development/testing, there are key differences when you move to a live hosting environment:
On live hosting your site is publicly accessible via domain name.
Live hosting has external visitor traffic, security, backups, SSL certificates.
Performance considerations: shared servers vs local machine resources.
On live you must handle real domain, DNS, hosting provider, uptime.
Using localhost lets you experiment privately; however when you’re ready, you’ll need to “go live”.
When your local site is ready for the world, here is a basic outline to migrate:
Choose a web host and domain name.
Export local database (via phpMyAdmin) and copy all WordPress files.
On your live host create a database and import the export file.
Upload WordPress files to live server root.
Update wp-config.php on live server with live database credentials.
Search & replace URLs in database (from localhost/your-folder to yourdomain.com).
Log into your live site and update permalinks.
Test everything (links, images, plugins, forms).
Many tutorials offered this exact workflow.
Q1: Is localhost setup free?
Yes, using tools like XAMPP/WAMP/MAMP and WordPress you can build a local site at zero hosting cost.
Q2: Can I install themes/plugins in a localhost WordPress?
Absolutely. Localhost acts just like a normal WordPress install; you can install any theme or plugin and test safely.
Q3: Will my local WordPress site be visible to internet?
By default no — only your machine sees it. If you want to share externally you’d need to configure additional networking or host live.
Q4: Is database security important locally?
Less critical for a purely local environment, but still good practice to use strong credentials if you may open local site to network.
Q5: Can I develop offline?
Yes — one of the major benefits of localhost is you can work without being connected to the internet.
Setting up WordPress in localhost is an excellent and free way to learn, experiment and prepare your website before going live. Follow the steps above download your local server, set up the database, install WordPress, login, and begin building.
Once comfortable, consider migrating your local site to a live hosting environment and sharing your work with the world. If you face any issues during the process, refer to the common troubleshooting section or explore the many free tutorials available.
Good luck building your site enjoy the freedom of local development!
