Using WordPress ‘excerpt_more’ PHP filter

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The excerpt_more WordPress PHP filter allows you to customize the “more” link displayed after a trimmed excerpt.

Usage

add_filter('excerpt_more', 'your_custom_excerpt_more');
function your_custom_excerpt_more($more_string) {
  // your custom code here
  return $more_string;
}

Parameters

  • $more_string (string): The string shown within the “more” link.

More information

See WordPress Developer Resources: excerpt_more

Examples

Change the default “more” string

Customize the “more” string to display “Read more” instead of the default “[…]”:

add_filter('excerpt_more', 'change_excerpt_more_string');
function change_excerpt_more_string($more_string) {
  return ' <a href="'. get_permalink() . '">Read more</a>';
}
// Output: "Read more" link at the end of the excerpt

Add a “Continue Reading” button

Add a “Continue Reading” button after the excerpt:

add_filter('excerpt_more', 'add_continue_reading_button');
function add_continue_reading_button($more_string) {
  return ' <a href="'. get_permalink() . '" class="continue-reading-btn">Continue Reading</a>';
}
// Output: "Continue Reading" button at the end of the excerpt

Show an arrow instead of text

Display a right arrow (→) instead of the default “[…]” or any text:

add_filter('excerpt_more', 'change_to_arrow');
function change_to_arrow($more_string) {
  return ' <a href="'. get_permalink() . '">&rarr;</a>';
}
// Output: Right arrow link at the end of the excerpt

Remove the “more” link completely from the excerpt:

add_filter('excerpt_more', 'remove_more_link');
function remove_more_link($more_string) {
  return '';
}
// Output: No "more" link at the end of the excerpt

Add a custom CSS class to style the “more” link:

add_filter('excerpt_more', 'add_custom_css_class');
function add_custom_css_class($more_string) {
  return ' <a href="'. get_permalink() . '" class="custom-more-link">Read more</a>';
}
// Output: "Read more" link with a custom CSS class at the end of the excerpt