To display a directory of WordPress users who have written posts, use the core wp_list_authors() function in a theme template. If you want to add a list through the block editor or need avatars, biographies, or a grid, use a plugin that provides the controls you need. An author directory is different from an individual author archive page, which shows one author’s posts.
Use WordPress core for a basic author directory
The built-in wp_list_authors() function outputs links for authors with posts. Add it to an appropriate PHP theme template—not an ordinary page or post content block.
<ul>
<?php wp_list_authors(); ?>
</ul>The function’s default output style is already a list. Check the rendered markup for your theme and WordPress version: wrapping the function in your own <ul> can result in nested or otherwise unexpected list markup. The WordPress function reference documents its arguments, including an option to return the generated HTML rather than echo it.
Control which authors appear
By default, the function sorts authors by name, hides users without posts, excludes the account displayed as admin, and wraps results in list markup. You can configure display options such as author names, post counts, and feed links. The wp_list_authors_args hook reference documents user-query arguments including orderby, order, number, include, and exclude.
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Use the core function when you are comfortable editing a theme template or have another suitable PHP execution point. For a site-specific theme change, avoid editing a theme file that an update may replace; use a child theme or another appropriate development workflow.
Choose a plugin if you want to build the list in the editor
Plugins can add an author list through a block or shortcode, avoiding direct theme-template editing. Their advertised features differ, so choose based on the presentation you need and verify compatibility with your WordPress installation.
| Option | How you add the list | Listed features |
|---|---|---|
| X3P0: Authors | Block | Controls for author count and order, whether authors need published posts, feed links, and post counts. |
| Authors List | [authors_list] shortcode |
Author or user lists; list and grid styles; columns, avatars, biographies, counts, and ordering options. |
| Author Profile Blocks | Blocks and shortcodes | Author-list, profile, and team-member features. |
These are feature descriptions from plugin listings, not guarantees of compatibility with every theme or current support. Before installing one, check its current release, stated WordPress-version compatibility, requirements, and maintenance activity.
Check whether you need a directory or an author archive
A directory puts several authors together on one page. An author archive is an individual page for one author, usually showing that person’s posts. If you want to change the design of those individual pages, look at your theme’s author or archive templates rather than adding a directory function to a regular page. The WordPress Codex overview of author templates describes template resolution and shows wp_list_authors() as a way to link to author pages; it is a legacy reference, so check behavior against your current theme.
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Check how your site stores contributor identities
wp_list_authors() lists WordPress user accounts. It will not automatically turn text-only bylines or names stored in custom fields into profile entries. If your contributors are not user accounts, first determine where their names and profile details are stored; the solution may require a different query, data structure, or plugin. A community discussion about contributor listings illustrates this distinction, but does not establish one implementation for every site.
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