{"id":18497,"date":"2011-05-17T16:20:18","date_gmt":"2011-05-17T10:50:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=18497"},"modified":"2026-10-13T13:39:45","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T08:09:45","slug":"full-screen-distraction-free-writing-in-wordpress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/05\/full-screen-distraction-free-writing-in-wordpress\/","title":{"rendered":"Distraction Free Writing in WordPress: How to Use It (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Want to write without menus, sidebars and notifications pulling at your attention? WordPress first added full-screen distraction free writing back in version 3.2, and I loved it. In 2026 the block editor has an even better Distraction Free mode, plus Spotlight and Fullscreen views, while the Classic Editor still has its own focus mode. Here is how to use <strong>distraction free writing<\/strong> in WordPress.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-64036\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/distraction-free-writing-wordpress-1024x538.webp\" alt=\"Distraction free writing in WordPress\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/distraction-free-writing-wordpress-1024x538.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/distraction-free-writing-wordpress-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/distraction-free-writing-wordpress-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/distraction-free-writing-wordpress-768x403.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/distraction-free-writing-wordpress.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> In the block editor, click the three-dot Options menu at the top right and turn on <strong>Distraction free<\/strong>, or press <strong>Ctrl + Shift + Alt + \\<\/strong> (Cmd + Shift + Option + \\ on Mac). Toolbars and sidebars fade away until you move the mouse. In the Classic Editor, click the <strong>Distraction-free writing mode<\/strong> button (four arrows) on the editor toolbar.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ae25b9e5acec\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ae25b9e5acec\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/05\/full-screen-distraction-free-writing-in-wordpress\/#Distraction_free_mode_in_the_block_editor\" >Distraction free mode in the block editor<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/05\/full-screen-distraction-free-writing-in-wordpress\/#Other_focus_settings_in_the_block_editor\" >Other focus settings in the block editor<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/05\/full-screen-distraction-free-writing-in-wordpress\/#Distraction_free_writing_in_the_Classic_Editor\" >Distraction free writing in the Classic Editor<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/05\/full-screen-distraction-free-writing-in-wordpress\/#Keyboard_shortcuts_that_keep_you_writing\" >Keyboard shortcuts that keep you writing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/05\/full-screen-distraction-free-writing-in-wordpress\/#More_tips_for_focused_writing\" >More tips for focused writing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/05\/full-screen-distraction-free-writing-in-wordpress\/#FAQ\" >FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/05\/full-screen-distraction-free-writing-in-wordpress\/#Where_is_distraction_free_mode_in_WordPress\" >Where is distraction free mode in WordPress?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/05\/full-screen-distraction-free-writing-in-wordpress\/#Why_cant_I_see_distraction_free_mode\" >Why can&#8217;t I see distraction free mode?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/05\/full-screen-distraction-free-writing-in-wordpress\/#Does_distraction_free_mode_save_my_settings\" >Does distraction free mode save my settings?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Distraction_free_mode_in_the_block_editor\"><\/span>Distraction free mode in the block editor<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Open a post or page in the editor.<\/li>\n<li>Click the <strong>Options<\/strong> (three dots) menu at the top right.<\/li>\n<li>Under View, select <strong>Distraction free<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Write. The top toolbar, block toolbar and sidebars hide; move the mouse to the top to bring them back briefly.<\/li>\n<li>Turn it off from the same menu or with the keyboard shortcut.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_focus_settings_in_the_block_editor\"><\/span>Other focus settings in the block editor<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Fullscreen mode:<\/strong> hides the WordPress admin menu and admin bar. It is on by default in most sites.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Spotlight mode:<\/strong> fades every block except the one you are editing, so you focus on one paragraph at a time.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Top toolbar:<\/strong> moves block controls to the top so they do not pop up over your text.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Preferences &gt; Appearance:<\/strong> turn off extras you do not use.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Distraction_free_writing_in_the_Classic_Editor\"><\/span>Distraction free writing in the Classic Editor<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you use the Classic Editor plugin, click the full-screen <strong>Distraction-free writing mode<\/strong> button in the Visual or Text toolbar. Menus and boxes fade out while you type and return when you move the mouse. Tip: make sure &#8220;Enable full-height editor and distraction-free functionality&#8221; is ticked under Screen Options.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Keyboard_shortcuts_that_keep_you_writing\"><\/span>Keyboard shortcuts that keep you writing<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Shift + Alt + 1 to 6:<\/strong> turn a paragraph into a heading (in the Classic editor; type ## in the block editor).<\/li>\n<li><strong>\/ (slash):<\/strong> insert any block without leaving the keyboard.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ctrl + K:<\/strong> add a link.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ctrl + S:<\/strong> save draft.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Shift + Alt + H:<\/strong> show all keyboard shortcuts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"More_tips_for_focused_writing\"><\/span>More tips for focused writing<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Write the first draft in one sitting, then edit and add images later.<\/li>\n<li>Turn off notifications and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/06\/block-facebook-twitter-email\/\">block social media for a few hours<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Use a timer, such as 25 minutes of writing then a 5-minute break.<\/li>\n<li>Improve your writing with these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/09\/better-writing-resources\/\">online writing resources<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Want to try new editor features before everyone else? See how to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/05\/install-wordpress-alpha-beta-nightly-build-versions\/\">test WordPress beta and nightly builds<\/a> on a test site.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_is_distraction_free_mode_in_WordPress\"><\/span>Where is distraction free mode in WordPress?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In the block editor&#8217;s Options (three dots) menu, under View.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_cant_I_see_distraction_free_mode\"><\/span>Why can&#8217;t I see distraction free mode?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Update WordPress. It was added to the block editor in 2023 (WordPress 6.2). Very old versions only have Fullscreen and Spotlight.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_distraction_free_mode_save_my_settings\"><\/span>Does distraction free mode save my settings?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes. WordPress remembers your view preferences per user.<\/p>\n<p>How do you stay focused while writing? Tell us in the comments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Want to write without menus, sidebars and notifications pulling at your attention? WordPress first added full-screen distraction free writing back&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":64036,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[49,17],"class_list":["post-18497","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blogging","tag-tutorials","tag-wordpress"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18497","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18497"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18497\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65402,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18497\/revisions\/65402"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64036"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18497"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18497"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18497"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}