Changing Site URL and Home URL Settings in WordPress

WordPress offers two configurable URLs namely WordPress address and Site address to load the content correctly. WordPress highly relies on these URL settings as each of them have their own importance. More often WordPress beginners find these terms puzzling as what each one really does or why we need them. In this article, we will give you a complete understanding of these terms.

Site Address – Site URL

The Site Address or SITEURL is the address you want your website visitors to type in a web browser to reach your website. Say for example, if your website is mydomain.com then http:// mydomain.com is your site address.

WordPress Address – WordPress URL

The WordPress address is the location of the core WordPress files. In most cases, both SITEURL and WordPress URL (HOMEURL) will be same unless you install WordPress in a separate folder.

For example, if you install WordPress into the document root (/home/cPanel_user/public_html/) then your WordPress URL and SITEURL will be the same. To access the WordPress dashboard, you will have to visit http://mydomain.com/wp-admin.

If you install WordPress in some subdirectory, say 'wordpress' then your SITEURL would be http://mydomain.com/wordpress. To access the admin dashboard, you will have to visit http://mydomain.com/wordpress/wp-admin.

How do I change these URLs?

At WordPress dashboard, you are given an option to modify these URL values. Once you are logged into WordPress dashboard, navigate to Settings >> General page. Enter the new value for WordPress Address or Site Address and click Save Changes.