How to Add or Remove Blank Space Between WordPress Blocks (4 Ways)
With over 15 years of experience in the WordPress world, I’ve seen countless website owners struggle with controlling the space between blocks. It’s a common pain point, especially for beginners. You might find yourself frustrated when your content feels too cramped or spread out, and the default spacing options just don’t cut it. But don’t worry, there are effective ways to navigate this problem! In this comprehensive guide, I’ll break down four different methods to help you gain complete control over your page layouts and create a more polished, professional-looking website.
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s understand why controlling spacing is so crucial. Imagine you’re reading a book with paragraphs squeezed together. It’s difficult to read and understand, isn’t it? The same applies to your website. Proper spacing between your WordPress blocks is vital for a great user experience.
Think of it like this: It guides your visitors’ attention, making it clear which elements are connected and helping them digest information easily. With clear visual separation, your content becomes more readable and visually appealing, leading to a higher engagement rate. So, let’s get to work!
Why Add or Remove Blank Space Between WordPress Blocks?
The WordPress block editor is fantastic for creating custom pages and posts, but sometimes the default spacing can feel a bit off. It’s like a puzzle where the pieces don’t quite fit together. You might find yourself wanting more or less space between blocks to achieve the perfect flow and visual hierarchy for your content.
By adjusting the space between blocks, you can:
- Group related content: Bring elements together to create a visual connection and highlight their relevance.
- Separate different sections: Create distinct areas within your page to avoid clutter and make it easier for visitors to navigate.
- Improve readability: Break up content with space, making it easier for visitors to read and absorb information.
- Enhance visual appeal: A well-spaced layout looks more polished and professional, giving your website a touch of elegance.
Ultimately, by gaining control over your page design, you create a more user-friendly website. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about making your website accessible and engaging for your visitors.
Method 1: Adding Blank Space Between WordPress Blocks With Block Editor
The easiest way to add space between your blocks is using the built-in Gutenberg block editor. The “Spacer” block lets you add blank space with a few clicks. Here’s how:
- Open your post or page: Click the ‘Edit’ button to access the block editor.
- Click the ‘+’ add block button: This will open the block library.
- Search for ‘Spacer’: Type ‘Spacer’ in the search field and select the block.
- Insert the spacer: The spacer will automatically be inserted into your page.
- Adjust the height: You can drag the spacer up or down to make it bigger or smaller.
- Save your changes: Click the ‘Update’ button to save the new spacing.
Tip: If you are using a block theme, you can also use the Full Site Editor to adjust block spacing in your theme templates. Check out our beginner’s guide to WordPress Full Site Editing for more information.
Beyond the Spacer block, you can also adjust the margin of your blocks. This will increase the space between them and other blocks. Look for the ‘Block’ settings sidebar and explore the margin options there.
You can also adjust the block’s padding. Less padding means less space between blocks. Keep in mind that some blocks have added padding by default, so adjusting this can be a way to remove some spacing.
Pro Tip: To learn more about padding and margin, check out our guide on padding vs. margin in WordPress.
Method 2: Adding or Removing Blank Space Between WordPress Blocks by Adding Custom CSS
If you’re looking for more fine-grained control, custom CSS is your best friend. You can add or remove blank space between blocks with a few lines of code. Here’s how to do it:
- Add custom CSS to your theme: If you haven’t done this before, check out our guide on adding custom CSS to your WordPress site.
- Open the post or page: Select the block where you want to add or remove space.
- Open the block settings: Click the ‘Block’ menu item in the right-hand options panel.
- Go to the ‘Advanced’ dropdown: Click it to reveal additional options.
- Add a CSS class: In the ‘Additional CSS classes’ box, enter the following code:
.add-remove-bottom-space
- Save your changes: Click the ‘Update’ button.
- Go to the Customizer: Navigate to Appearance » Customize.
- Open ‘Additional CSS’: Scroll down and select the ‘Additional CSS’ option.
- Paste the CSS code: Add the following code snippet to the box:
.add-remove-bottom-space {
margin-bottom: 0;
} - Publish your changes: Click the ‘Publish’ button to make your changes live.
Explanation: This CSS snippet creates a new CSS class called ‘add-remove-bottom-space’. It then targets that class and sets the bottom margin to zero, removing the bottom space from the block. To add space, change ‘0’ to a value like ’20px’.
Tip: If you’re using a block theme, refer to our guide on fixing the missing theme customizer in WordPress to learn where to add the CSS code.
Saving Custom CSS Code Using a Plugin
Adding custom CSS to the WordPress theme customizer only works for the theme you’re currently using. If you switch themes, you’ll need to copy the CSS code to your new theme. To make sure your custom CSS applies regardless of the theme, use a plugin.
WPCode is a fantastic code snippets plugin that allows you to add PHP, CSS, and more to your WordPress website safely and without causing any conflicts. Here’s how to use it:
- Install and activate WPCode: See our guide on installing a WordPress plugin for detailed instructions.
- Go to Code Snippets » + Add Snippet: In the WordPress admin dashboard.
- Use the snippet: Hover over ‘Add Your Custom Code (New Snippet)’ in the code snippets library and click ‘Use snippet’.
- Name and paste your CSS: Enter a name for your snippet and paste your custom CSS code into the ‘Code Preview’ box.
- Select ‘CSS Snippet’ from the ‘Code Type’ dropdown: Ensure your code is recognized correctly.
- Activate and save: Make sure to click the slider at the top to activate your snippet and hit ‘Save Snippet’ to execute it on your WordPress website.
For more details, check out our guide on adding custom CSS to your WordPress site.
You can also use the Simple Custom CSS plugin. After activation, navigate to Appearance » Custom CSS and add your custom CSS code. Click ‘Update Custom CSS’ to save your changes.
Method 3: Adding or Removing Blank Space Between WordPress Blocks With CSS Hero
If you’re not comfortable with coding, CSS Hero is a great beginner-friendly solution for adding or removing space between blocks. It lets you make visual changes to your WordPress blog without touching any CSS code. Here’s how it works:
- Install and activate CSS Hero: Check out our guide on installing a WordPress plugin for detailed instructions.
- Activate the plugin: Click the ‘Proceed to Product Activation’ button (found above your list of installed plugins). Enter your username and password and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Open your post or page: Select the block you want to adjust.
- Click the ‘CSS Hero’ button: This is located in the WordPress admin toolbar.
- Use the visual editor: CSS Hero will launch on top of your page, allowing you to make changes in real time.
- Click on the element: This will bring up a toolbar on the left side for customizations.
- Adjust the spacing: Click ‘Spacings’, scroll down to ‘Margin-Bottom’, and move the slider up or down to add or remove space.
- Save your changes: Click the ‘Save’ button to make the changes live.
Pro Tip: WPBeginner readers can get a 40% discount by using our CSS Hero coupon code.
Method 4: Adding or Removing Blank Space Between WordPress Blocks With SeedProd
SeedProd is a powerful drag-and-drop page builder used by over a million websites. It’s a popular choice for creating custom pages, landing pages, and even entire themes. With SeedProd, you have complete control over your website design, and you can easily add or remove spacing. Here’s how:
- Install and activate SeedProd: See our guide on installing a WordPress plugin for detailed instructions.
- Create a custom page: Check out our guide on creating a custom page in WordPress to learn how to start.
- Use the Spacer block: While customizing your page, drag and drop the Spacer block anywhere on the page where you want to add more space between blocks.
- Adjust the height: Use the slider to fine-tune the height of the spacer.
- Control spacing for any block: Click on the block you want to adjust, open the options panel on the left, and select the ‘Advanced’ tab.
- Adjust the margin: Scroll down to the ‘Spacing’ dropdown and click it. Enter a number in the bottom margin box to add space or delete the number to remove space.
- Save and publish: Click the ‘Save’ button and then select the ‘Publish’ dropdown to make your changes live.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of adding or removing blank space between WordPress blocks is a crucial skill for every website owner. It elevates your design, enhances readability, and improves user engagement. With the four methods discussed here, you have the tools to create visually appealing and user-friendly layouts. Remember to experiment with different techniques, pay attention to your website’s overall design, and create a space that feels right for your content.
FAQs
What are the different types of spacing?
There are two main types of spacing in web design: margin and padding. Margin refers to the space around an element, while padding is the space within an element. Both can be adjusted to control spacing between blocks.
Can I change the default spacing for all blocks?
You can change the default spacing for all blocks by using custom CSS or a plugin like SeedProd. However, it’s important to note that theme-specific styles might override your changes. You might need to adjust the CSS based on your theme.
Can I use a visual editor to adjust spacing?
Yes, you can use visual editors like SeedProd or CSS Hero. These plugins allow you to make changes to your website design without writing any code.
How do I find the right spacing for my website?
The best way to find the right spacing is through experimentation and testing. Look at other websites for inspiration, and then adjust the spacing on your own site to see what looks best.
What is the ideal spacing for a paragraph block?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but a good starting point is a margin-bottom of 1em or 16px. You can adjust this based on your font size and other design elements.
Why is my custom CSS not working?
There are a few reasons why your custom CSS might not be working. First, make sure you are adding the code to the correct location. Second, check if your theme or other plugins are overriding your CSS styles. You may need to add more specific selectors to target the correct elements.
Can I add blank space between blocks in the WordPress mobile editor?
Yes, you can use the same methods to add space between blocks in the WordPress mobile editor. The block editor works seamlessly across devices.
How can I add more space between a heading and a paragraph?
You can use the same techniques. Add a spacer block below the heading or adjust the margin-bottom of the heading block using custom CSS.
Is there a way to add space between a block and a widget?
Yes, you can add space between a block and a widget by adjusting the margin of either element. If you’re using a block theme, you can also use the theme customizer to style widgets.
Should I use the Spacer block or custom CSS?
The Spacer block is a quick and easy way to add space between blocks. Custom CSS offers more control and allows you to create complex layouts. Choose the method that best suits your needs and skill level.
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