Retrieving the Page URL in WordPress: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding how to retrieve the current page URL in WordPress is crucial for various functionalities like building menus, creating dynamic content, and implementing functionalities like social media sharing. This article delves into different methods of obtaining the page URL, catering to various needs and skill levels.

1. get_permalink(): The All-Encompassing Solution

For most scenarios, get_permalink() is your go-to function. It retrieves the full permalink (permanent URL) of the current page, whether it’s a post, page, or custom post type. Here’s how to use it:

PHP

$current_page_url = get_permalink();
echo $current_page_url; // Outputs the full URL of the current page

This function is versatile and works seamlessly within themes, plugins, and custom code.

2. home_url(): Grabbing the Site’s Root URL

If you need the website’s base URL, including the domain and potential subfolder, use home_url(). This function is useful for constructing complete URLs relative to your site’s root directory.

PHP

$site_url = home_url();
echo $site_url . "/about-us/"; // Outputs yoursite.com/about-us/

Remember, home_url() doesn’t include the current page slug or any query strings.

3. get_page_link(): Targeting Specific Pages

Need the URL of a specific page (identified by its ID)? get_page_link() comes to the rescue.

Get Page URL In WordPress

PHP

$page_id = 123; // Replace with the actual page ID
$specific_page_url = get_page_link( $page_id );
echo $specific_page_url; // Outputs the URL of the page with ID 123

This function offers flexibility by allowing you to retrieve the URL of any page based on its ID, regardless of the currently displayed page.

4. Conditional Tags: Tailoring URLs Based on Page Type

For situations where you need to construct URLs differently based on the current page type (e.g., post vs. page), conditional tags come in handy. Here’s an example:

PHP

if ( is_page() ) {
  $current_page_url = get_permalink();
} else {
  $current_page_url = home_url();
}
echo $current_page_url;

This code checks if the current page is a “page” using is_page(). If true, it retrieves the URL with get_permalink(). Otherwise, it defaults to the site’s root URL using home_url().

5. Considering Query Strings

The methods mentioned above typically don’t include query strings (the part of the URL after the “?” symbol). If you need the full URL with the query string, you can use the following technique:

PHP

$current_page_url = add_query_arg( null, null ); // Empty arguments preserve query string
echo $current_page_url;

This code utilizes add_query_arg() with empty arguments, effectively returning the current URL with any existing query strings intact.

Beyond the Basics: Advanced Techniques

While the methods above cover common scenarios, WordPress offers additional functionalities for specific needs. Here are some noteworthy options:

  • get_post_type_archive_link(): Retrieves the URL of a custom post type archive.
  • get_category_link(): Gets the URL of a specific category.
  • get_tag_link(): Retrieves the URL of a specific tag.

By exploring these functions and combining them with conditional logic, you can achieve more intricate URL manipulation tasks within your WordPress website.

Remember to choose the method that best suits your specific situation and coding expertise. By leveraging these techniques, you can effectively retrieve page URLs in WordPress and enhance your development capabilities.

global $wp;
$current_url = home_url( add_query_arg( array(), $wp->request ) );

This code snippet can be dropped into any PHP template file on your WordPress site for instant customization.

function wp_get_current_url() {
return home_url( $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'] );}
echo esc_url( wp_get_current_url());

Frequently Asked Questions

WordPress: How do I get the current page’s URL?

Put the code below into the template files of your WordPress theme or anywhere else on your site to get the URL of the current page.

global $wp;
$current_url = home_url( add_query_arg( array(), $wp->request ) );

How do I get the current post name in WordPress?

Using the following code, you can find out what post or page is currently being displayed in WordPress:

$pagename = $post->post_name;
echo $pagename;

How do I get the current page slug in WordPress?

Use the following code to retrieve the WordPress page slug at the current time:

global $wp;
$current_slug = add_query_arg( array(), $wp->request );
echo $current_slug; // Display the slug of page

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