To display the normal comment count for a post, use comments_number() for a ready-made label or get_comments_number() when you need the numeric value. That number comes from the post’s stored comment_count; it is not a live breakdown by comment status. If you need to count only approved comments—or include pending, spam, or trashed comments—use get_comment_count() and choose the relevant status key.
Choose what “accurate” means for your site
WordPress offers two different kinds of comment counts. The ordinary per-post count is the value stored in the post’s comment_count property. A status breakdown reports how many comments are approved, awaiting moderation, spam, or trash. Decide which number your label should represent before adding it to a theme.
- Standard display count: Use
comments_number()to print a zero, singular, or plural label, orget_comments_number()to retrieve the number. - Status-specific count: Use
get_comment_count( $post_id )and select a key such asapprovedorall.
Display the standard count in a theme
Print a zero, one, or plural label
In a template where the intended post is the global post, call comments_number():
<?php comments_number( 'No comments', '1 comment', '% comments' ); ?>The function prints the appropriate text: the first argument for zero, the second for one, and the third for multiple comments. In the plural text, % is replaced with the locale-formatted number. WordPress also provides a filter that can alter this display text.
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Retrieve a numeric value
Use get_comments_number() when your code needs the number for custom markup or logic. It accepts a post ID or a WP_Post object; if omitted, it uses the global post.
<?php
$count = get_comments_number( $post_id );
echo esc_html( number_format_i18n( (int) $count ) );
?>Replace $post_id with the ID of the post you want to display. If your code is already running in the correct global post context, you can omit the argument. The function returns the post’s stored comment_count, returns zero if the post does not exist, and applies the get_comments_number filter. Escape the value for its output context; the example uses esc_html() for HTML text.
Count approved, pending, or other comment statuses
For a status-aware count, call get_comment_count() with the post ID:
<?php
$counts = get_comment_count( $post_id );
echo esc_html( number_format_i18n( $counts['approved'] ) );
?>The documented result includes these keys:
approved: approved comments.awaiting_moderation: comments awaiting moderation.spamandtrash: comments in those respective states.post-trashed: comments associated with a trashed post.all: approved comments plus comments awaiting moderation.total_comments:allplus spam.
Choose a label that accurately describes the key. For example, label $counts['approved'] as “approved comments”; do not describe $counts['all'] as approved-only, because it also includes comments awaiting moderation.
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Which WordPress function should you use?
| Need | Function | What it provides |
|---|---|---|
| Print standard zero, one, or plural text | comments_number() |
Outputs the display text directly. |
| Retrieve a post’s ordinary comment number | get_comments_number() |
Returns the stored comment_count value and applies the get_comments_number filter. |
| Get formatted display text for custom markup | get_comments_number_text() |
Handles singular and plural wording and locale formatting; applies the comments_number filter. |
| Inspect comment states for a post | get_comment_count( $post_id ) |
Returns status-specific counts. |
| Read status totals that may be cached | wp_count_comments( $post_id ) |
Returns an object of comment-status counts and may use cached results. |
Troubleshoot a count that looks wrong
- Confirm the intended post. Outside the Loop or another global post context, pass the correct post ID or
WP_Postobject to the display function. An omitted argument may point to a different global post. - Compare the stored display number with statuses. Check
get_comments_number( $post_id )against the relevant keys fromget_comment_count( $post_id ). Confirm that both values answer the same question: for example, ordinary display count versus approved-only count. - Check cached totals if you use them.
wp_count_comments()may return cached status counts. Its reference points toget_comment_count()for live counts, making the latter a better check when investigating a suspected stale value. - Inspect theme and plugin filters. WordPress documents filters for
get_comments_number,comments_number, andwp_count_comments. A theme or plugin attached to one of them may change the returned count or displayed wording.
These checks help narrow down the mismatch; the APIs alone do not identify why a particular site’s count differs. Avoid editing database values as a first response: verify the post context, compare the stored count with the status breakdown, and check filters and caching.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.WordPress reference notes
These functions are documented in the WordPress Developer Resources Code Reference. The references list comments_number() as dating to WordPress 0.71, get_comments_number() to 1.5.0, get_comment_count() to 2.0.0, and wp_count_comments() to 2.5.0. The post parameter for comments_number() and get_comments_number_text() was added in WordPress 5.4.0. The references were accessed on September 30, 2026; consult them for current details and changelogs.
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- WordPress: comments_number()
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