Nexus is a free WordPress block theme with clean markup, 8 page templates, 6 style variations and a dark/light mode toggle. It also shows a readability score in the editor as you write, so you can keep your posts easy to read.
Key Features
- Full site editing – edit your header, footer, templates and styles in the Site Editor, with no code
- 8 page templates – blog index, single post, page, page without a title, blank, archive, search and 404
- 6 style variations – the default look plus Dark, Elegant, Minimal, Modern and Vibrant
- Dark/light mode – set the site to light, dark or auto, which follows each visitor’s system setting
- Readability score in the editor – Flesch Reading Ease score, grade level, word count and sentence count in the editor sidebar, with a target score you set
- 6 block patterns – two hero sections, a features grid, a call to action, a review card and a course information block
- Accessibility options – skip links and stronger focus outlines for keyboard users, switched on in the Customizer
How It Works
- Install and activate the theme
- Pick a style variation in the Site Editor under Styles
- Set the color mode, readability and accessibility options under Appearance > Customize > Theme Options
- Write your posts and check the readability score in the editor sidebar as you go
Who It’s For
- Bloggers and writers who want a clean, fast theme and feedback on how readable their posts are
- Small businesses that want a block theme they can shape in the Site Editor
- Anyone planning to add schema and structured content later with Nexus Pro
Free vs. Pro
The free theme covers the design, the templates and a basic readability panel. Nexus Pro is a plugin that runs on this theme and adds:
- Schema for articles, products, FAQs, courses, recipes, how-tos and breadcrumbs – it switches off automatically if Yoast, Rank Math or another SEO plugin is active
- Person, Product and Place templates with the matching schema filled in from your content
- Table of contents, sources and summary blocks
- 16 more page templates, 12 more style variations, 28 block patterns and 6 template parts
- Advanced readability metrics, search and AI previews, one-click demo import and priority email support
Installation
- Download the theme ZIP from this page
- Go to Appearance > Themes, click Add New, then Upload Theme
- Choose the ZIP file, click Install Now, then Activate
- Go to Appearance > Customize > Theme Options to set it up
Requirements: WordPress 7.0+ and PHP 8.2+.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nexus really free?
Yes. The theme is free to use on as many sites as you like. Nexus Pro is an optional plugin that adds more features.
Is Nexus on WordPress.org?
No. Download it from this page and upload it under Appearance > Themes > Add New > Upload Theme.
Does the free theme add schema?
No. Schema comes with Nexus Pro. If you already use Yoast SEO, Rank Math or another SEO plugin, the free theme works alongside it with nothing to switch off.
Do I need the theme to use Nexus Pro?
Yes. Nexus Pro only runs on the Nexus theme or a child theme of it, so install the theme first.
Ready to try it? Download the Nexus theme above, or see everything Nexus Pro adds.