Mastering how to use Elementor Theme Builder opens up complete control over your WordPress website’s layout and structure. From headers and footers to custom templates for posts and pages, Elementor empowers you to visually design your entire website without coding or relying on pre-built themes.
What Is Elementor Theme Builder?
Elementor Theme Builder allows users to replace the default WordPress theme parts with fully customized designs. It goes beyond simple page editing by giving you access to:
- Headers and footers
- Single post and archive templates
- 404 error pages
- WooCommerce product and shop pages
This tool is especially useful for users who want to build a cohesive brand experience throughout their website without writing any code. Whether you're a freelancer, business owner, or agency, Theme Builder provides flexibility and professional results.
How to Access Theme Builder
You can enter the Elementor Theme Builder from the WordPress dashboard or within the Elementor editor:
- Go to Templates > Theme Builder in your WordPress admin panel. Here you'll see all the template types you can create or edit.
- Or, while editing any page with Elementor, click the top left menu > Theme Builder to switch views without leaving your workflow.
This seamless access ensures you can easily switch between global template editing and individual page tweaks.
Creating New Templates
Choose which part of the website you want to customize and start building visually using Elementor’s drag-and-drop interface.
Header and Footer
Click Add New > Select Header or Footer. Use widgets like navigation menus, logos, search bars, and social icons. Customize alignment, responsiveness, and behavior on scroll (sticky or transparent headers).
Single Post or Archive Page
Choose Single or Archive templates to design blog layouts using dynamic content in Elementor. Include featured images, titles, metadata, author boxes, and related posts. You can also style the layout to match your brand.
404 Page or WooCommerce Templates
Create 404 pages with helpful links or a search field to improve user experience. When you edit WooCommerce pages with Elementor, you can modify the product grid, product pages, cart, and checkout layouts for better conversions.
Using Dynamic Content
Dynamic content lets you display real-time information such as post titles, featured images, author names, or product details in templates. This is crucial for consistency and personalization.
- Click the Dynamic Tags icon next to any widget field.
- Select from content options like Post Title, Site Logo, or WooCommerce Price.
- You can also pull in custom fields using integrations with ACF, Pods, or Toolset.
Saving and Applying Conditions
Once your template is ready, click Publish and choose display conditions. These determine where and when your template is shown:
- Set it to apply site-wide or only to specific pages, posts, or categories.
- You can assign one template to blog posts and another for WooCommerce products.
- Exclude conditions let you override defaults for special layouts.
Conditions provide surgical control over how your templates are deployed across the site.
Managing Global Template Settings
Under Site Settings, adjust global colors, typography, and button styles. These settings are inherited by all templates and page designs for consistency.
- Navigate to Site Settings from the Elementor editor.
- Set global values for text sizes, link colors, background styles, and form field appearance.
- You can also add global fonts and color palettes to reflect brand identity.
Using global settings reduces design redundancy and makes future updates easier and faster.
Advanced Layout and Responsive Options
Customize spacing, column structures, and mobile breakpoints to enhance the user experience on all devices.
Use Flexbox and Containers
Enable advanced layout features from Elementor > Settings > Features to unlock more design flexibility using container-based layouts, which are more lightweight and customizable than classic sections and columns.
Responsive Design
Switch between desktop, tablet, and mobile views. Adjust padding, font size, visibility, and widget order per device to ensure smooth mobile performance. Use the Responsive Mode to preview and edit for each device directly.
Theme Builder vs Page Builder
Elementor’s Page Builder edits individual pages, while the Theme Builder controls global templates used across your website. Understanding this distinction helps you structure your design workflow more efficiently.
| Feature | Page Builder | Theme Builder |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Single page or post | Entire website |
| Header/Footer | Not editable | Fully customizable |
| Dynamic Content | Limited | Extensive |
| Conditions | None | Detailed targeting |
Use Theme Builder when you need global consistency. Use Page Builder for unique, one-off designs or landing pages.
Useful Links
Using the Theme Builder – Learn how to create and edit templates like headers, footers, single posts, and more using Elementor's Theme Builder.
How To Set Display Conditions for Global Templates – Understand how to assign display conditions to templates, determining where and when they appear on your site.
Set a Theme Style – Discover how to configure global styling options for elements such as backgrounds, headings, buttons, and more.
Responsive Editing for Mobile and Tablets – Learn how to design your site to be compatible with different devices using Elementor's responsive editing features.
What is Dynamic Content? – Explore how to use dynamic content to display real-time information like post titles, featured images, and more in your templates.
90+ Top widgets to Achieve Your Goals with Elementor!
Elfsight created dozens of useful widgets to make your website more attractive and boost its performance in so many ways. Try these no-code solutions for free on Elementor!
Conclusion
Learning how to use Elementor Theme Builder effectively transforms how you manage WordPress design. You can create headers, footers, blog templates, and WooCommerce pages with dynamic content and global settings — all visually and with full design freedom. With responsive layouts, reusable templates, and advanced conditional logic, it’s a must-have tool for anyone building custom WordPress websites that look and perform professionally.
