---
title: edit_theme_options
description: "## What is the edit_theme_options permission in WordPress? The edit_theme_options permission is one of the most important in WordPress. If you have the edit_themes_options capability, you will see these links in the WordPress admin area: - Appearance > Themes -…"
url: "https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/edit_theme_options/"
updated: "2026-10-14"
category: WordPress Permissions / WordPress Permissions
---

# edit_theme_options

## What is the edit_theme_options permission in WordPress?

The edit_theme_options permission is one of the most important in WordPress.

If you have the edit_themes_options capability, you will see these links in the WordPress admin area:

- Appearance > Themes
- Appearance > Customize
- Appearance > Widgets
- Appearance > Menus

![](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/edit-theme-options-links.png)

You'll also be able to see the "Customize" link in the WordPress admin bar, if it's supported by your theme.

![](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/customize-link.png)

This permission is vital because it allows you to customize theme options, control the display of widgets, create menus, and create menu links.

---

## Who has the edit_theme_options permission?

The edit_theme_options permission is available on single WordPress sites and on multisite networks.

By default, the edit_theme_options permission is only given to [Super Admins](https://publishpress.com/links/super-admin), Administrators and Editors.

Users not in these roles are not allowed to edit the site's themes, menus, menu links, or widgets.

---

## How to control who has the edit_theme_options permission

You can control who has the edit_theme_options permission by installing the [PublishPress Capabilities](https://publishpress.com/links/capabilities) plugin.

- After installing [PublishPress Capabilities](https://publishpress.com/links/capabilities), go to "Capabilities" in your WordPress admin menu.
- Using the dropdown in the top-left corner, choose the role you want to edit.
- Click the "Themes" tab.
- Check the box "edit theme options".
- Click "Save Changes".

![](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/edit-theme-options-1024x472.png)
Edit Theme Options

---

## All the WordPress theme permissions

- [delete_themes](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/delete_themes/)
- [edit_themes](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/edit_themes/)
- [edit_theme_options](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/edit_theme_options/)
- [install_themes](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/install_themes/)
- [switch_themes](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/switch_themes/)
- [update_themes](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/update_themes/)