Use WordPress’s built-in Gallery block to place a set of images on a page or post. If you want a browsable album page that groups multiple separate galleries, use a plugin with explicit album support, such as NextGEN Gallery or FooGallery. A gallery displays images; an album organizes galleries.
Choose between a gallery and an album
A gallery is a set of images displayed together. An album is a higher-level collection that can bring several galleries together; FooGallery’s documentation defines it plainly: “An album is a collection of galleries.” (FooPlugins: FooGallery Basics)
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| Option | Best for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress Gallery block | Embedding one image gallery in a page, post, or template. | It is the straightforward editor workflow, but the reviewed core documentation describes galleries rather than an album hierarchy. (WordPress.org: Gallery block) |
| NextGEN Gallery | Managing galleries and creating albums. | Check its editor and display workflow, compatibility with your site, and which features require Pro. Its plugin listing documents albums. (WordPress.org: NextGEN Gallery) |
| FooGallery | Using gallery layouts with a documented album feature. | Check which layouts or business features are included in the free plugin versus PRO, and how your theme affects display. (WordPress.org: FooGallery) |
Create a gallery with the WordPress Gallery block
For a single gallery, the block editor is the simplest starting point. WordPress documents image selection, ordering, layout, and presentation controls in its Gallery block guidance. (WordPress.org Gallery block documentation; WordPress.com: Create a photo gallery)
- Open the destination: Create or edit the page, post, or template where the images should appear.
- Add the block: Open the block inserter and search for “Gallery,” or type
/galleryin the editor. - Select images: Upload files or choose images from the Media Library. Depending on the editor and available services, WordPress.com also documents choosing images from a phone, Google Photos, Pexels, or Openverse.
- Arrange and format: Drag images into the desired order or use the move controls. Adjust the layout, columns, image sizing or cropping, and captions as needed.
- Set click behavior: Choose whether images link to an attachment page or media file, enlarge in a lightbox, or have no link. Available choices depend on the editor, version, and settings.
- Save and review: Save or publish, then view the public page to check the gallery’s appearance and links.
Use a dynamic gallery when it fits
The Gallery block can display a dynamic gallery that automatically includes images attached to the post or page. Otherwise, select the images directly in the editor. Choose the dynamic option only if automatically including attached images is the intended behavior. (WordPress.org: Gallery block)
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Build an album page with a plugin
If your goal is a landing page of album covers that lead to separate galleries, choose a plugin whose documentation explicitly describes albums. WordPress’s core Gallery block and shortcode documentation cover displaying galleries, not that album hierarchy.
NextGEN Gallery
The WordPress.org listing for NextGEN Gallery documents both galleries and albums, making it an option for a managed, multi-gallery collection. The listing showed version 4.5.1, released September 18, 2026; plugin versions and capabilities can change, so check the current listing and feature details before installing. (NextGEN Gallery on WordPress.org)
FooGallery
FooPlugins documents an album feature and describes an album as a collection of galleries. Its documentation says the album feature is available for free, while the plugin’s free and PRO offerings differ. Check the current feature breakdown rather than assuming every layout or business feature is included at no cost. (FooGallery Basics; FooGallery on WordPress.org)
Install, configure, and test
- Review the plugin’s current WordPress.org listing and documentation. Confirm its album feature and the specific layouts and controls you need.
- Install and activate the plugin through your WordPress dashboard, then follow its own instructions to create galleries and group them into an album.
- Add the album or gallery display to the intended page using the insertion method supported by that plugin.
- Preview the public-facing page with your active theme. Check that album navigation, image sizing, captions, and mobile presentation look right.
Actual behavior depends on your WordPress and PHP versions, theme, and other installed plugins. The FooGallery listing notes that theme behavior can affect display; a preview on your own site is the practical way to check the result. No particular plugin has been tested on your site.
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Use the gallery shortcode for older or theme-oriented setups
For a legacy workflow or a theme-oriented implementation, WordPress also documents the shortcode. You can specify image IDs with ids, set columns, and control ordering. Without explicit IDs, the shortcode displays images attached to that post or page. For a new block-editor workflow, the Gallery block is the more direct choice. (WordPress Developer Resources: Galleries)
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