How much will your WordPress site really cost? Enter the prices you were quoted and the calculator adds up your first year, each following year and the cost per month. The amounts already filled in are examples only: replace them with your own.
Key Takeaways
- The WordPress software itself is free to download and use (WordPress.org).
- What you pay for is everything around it: a domain name, hosting, and any premium theme, plugin or help you choose.
- Check the renewal price, not only the first-year offer: it is what you will pay every year after.
- Many sites can start with free themes and plugins, then pay only for what they turn out to need.
Calculate Your WordPress Budget
| Cost | How often | Your price ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Domain name Your address, renewed every year | per year | |
| Web hosting The server that runs your site | per year | |
| Premium theme Optional: free themes work too | per year | |
| Premium plugins Optional: forms, backups, SEO, shop | per year | |
| Backups and security service Optional: if your host doesn’t include them | per year | |
| Design or setup help Optional: paid once | one time |
What You Actually Pay For
WordPress is open-source software: you can download and use it for free, as WordPress.org explains. To put a site online you still need a domain name and a host that meets the WordPress requirements. Everything else is a choice: a premium theme, paid plugins, or someone to set it up.
Tips to Keep the Cost Down
- Compare the renewal price of hosting and domains, not the first-year discount.
- Start with a free theme and only the plugins you need: each extra plugin is also something to update.
- Check what your host already includes, such as backups and an SSL certificate, before paying for them elsewhere.
- Count yearly plugin licences: they renew like hosting does.
Related guides: Exploring Hosting Options for WordPress Websites, Understanding WordPress Plugins and How They Work, What Is a WordPress Theme? A Simple Explanation, How to Choose the Perfect Domain Name for Your Blog
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WordPress really free?
Yes, the software is free. You pay for the domain name and hosting that put it online, and for any premium extras you choose.
Why are most prices set to zero?
Because they are optional. Fill in only what you plan to buy. The domain and hosting amounts are examples, not quotes.
Is my information saved?
No. The calculator runs entirely in your browser; nothing you enter is sent or stored.
Last reviewed November 2026.