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Knowledge · developer tools · updated October 9, 2026
What is Divi?
Divi is a WordPress theme and page builder made by Elegant Themes, built around a visual builder plus a growing library of modules. This guide explains what it does, how it is organised, and what it is not.
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TL;DR
- Divi is a WordPress theme and page builder from Elegant Themes.
- Pages are built from sections, rows, columns and modules.
- A visual builder and a backend builder cover the same content in different ways.
- It comes with an Elegant Themes membership, so check the current pricing.
- It is not a hosting service and it does not replace WordPress.
On this page: What Divi is · How it is organised · What it is good at · What it is not · Concept cheat sheet · Where this fits
What Divi is
Divi is a theme that ships with its own builder. Once it is active, you can lay out pages visually rather than by writing blocks in the default editor.
The builder is the product. It lets you assemble a page from nested containers and style each one with controls instead of code, and it saves that structure so it can be edited or reused later.
It sits on top of WordPress. The theme handles site-wide behaviour while the builder stores the page layout, and both render as normal markup for visitors.
How Divi is organised
A page is built from four nested levels: sections, rows, columns and modules. A section spans the width, rows divide it, columns split a row, and modules are the actual content such as text, images and buttons.
The Divi Library stores saved layouts and modules so you can drop them onto other pages. Global defaults and presets hold colours and fonts so a change in one place flows through the site.
You can work in the visual builder in the front end or the backend builder in the dashboard. Both edit the same content, and the responsive settings let you tune each level per device.
What Divi is good at
- Building and editing pages without writing code.
- Reusing saved layouts and modules across a site.
- Adjusting layout separately for desktop, tablet and mobile.
- Extending the builder with extra modules from Divi and third parties.
- Keeping one membership across several WordPress sites.
What Divi is not
- Not a host: you still need a server and WordPress.
- Not free on its own: it is sold with an Elegant Themes membership, so check the current pricing.
- Not a one-click replacement for a developer on custom work.
- Not immune to plugin conflicts and performance trade-offs.
Concept cheat sheet
| Concept | Meaning | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Section | A full-width container | Sets the overall structure |
| Row | A horizontal band inside a section | Groups columns |
| Column | A vertical slice inside a row | Holds modules side by side |
| Module | A single content element | The heading, image or button |
| Builder | The visual or backend editor | Where you assemble pages |
| Divi Library | A store of saved layouts and modules | Reused to start a page quickly |
Where this fits
Start with the developer tools hub. For the practical steps see how to set up Divi, and for everyday usage read how to use Divi for a small business.
Frequently asked
Do I need to know code to use Divi?
No. The point of the builder is that you assemble pages with modules and controls. Some custom styling still benefits from knowing CSS, but it is not required to start.
Does Divi work with any WordPress site?
It runs on WordPress as a theme. Other plugins that also replace the editor can clash, so test them together before rolling out.
Is there a free version?
The theme and builder come with a paid membership. Features and terms change, so check the current pricing on the maker’s own site.
Can I use Divi on more than one site?
The membership tiers differ in how many sites they cover. Check the current plan details for the count you need.
Will Divi slow my site down?
It adds its own assets, so the effect depends on the page and the host. Test your own pages after you build them.
Design without code
A visual builder for WordPress sites.
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