Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) is a popular WordPress plugin that adds structured custom fields and content management tools to WordPress websites.
ACF helps developers, agencies, and site owners build more organized and flexible WordPress websites without heavily relying on custom code. It lets users add extra content fields to posts, pages, users, taxonomies, and other WordPress areas through a visual interface.
The plugin is widely used in the WordPress ecosystem, with more than 2 million active installations as of May 2026. Developers often use ACF to create custom dashboards, structured content layouts, dynamic templates, and Gutenberg blocks. The Pro version adds advanced features like Repeater Fields, Flexible Content layouts, and custom options pages.
WP Engine acquired ACF through its Delicious Brains acquisition in 2022, and the plugin continues to receive regular updates and feature improvements.
Key Features
- Create custom fields through a visual field builder
- Add fields to posts, users, media, and taxonomies
- Supports over 30 field types for content modeling
- Developer-friendly PHP functions for displaying field data
- Flexible Content and Repeater fields in ACF Pro
- Build custom Gutenberg blocks with ACF Blocks
- Create custom post types and taxonomies visually
- Works with popular page builders and themes
- Keyboard accessibility improvements in newer versions
- Options pages for managing global website settings
ACF has become one of the go-to tools for serious WordPress development because it makes structured content much easier to manage. For developers building custom client sites, it often saves hours of manual setup while giving content editors a cleaner experience inside WordPress.
