---
title: manage_sites
description: "## What is the manage_sites permission in WordPress? The manage_sites permission allows users to manage sites on a WordPress multisite network. The [manage_network_themes](https://publishpress.com/links/manage_network_themes) permission can't be used without the [manage_network](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/manage_network/) permission. If a user has both capabilities, they will be…"
url: "https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/manage_sites/"
updated: "2026-10-14"
category: WordPress Permissions / Multisite Permissions
---

# manage_sites

## What is the manage_sites permission in WordPress?

The manage_sites permission allows users to manage sites on a WordPress multisite network.

The [manage_network_themes](https://publishpress.com/links/manage_network_themes) permission can't be used without the [manage_network](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/manage_network/) permission. If a user has both capabilities, they will be able to go to this link:

- My Sites > Network Admin > Sites.
- The user can now see the "Sites" menu.

![Manage Sites Link](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/manage-sites-link.png)
Manage Sites Link

On the "Sites" screens, the user can manage any sites network using these links: Edit, Dashboard, Deactivate, Archive, Spam, Delete, Visit.

![Manage Sites List](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/manage-sites-list.png)
Manage Sites List

---

## Who has the manage_sites permission?

The manage_sites permission is available only on multisite networks.

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

Users not in the [Super Admin](https://publishpress.com/links/super-admin) role are not allowed to manage sites on a multisite network.

---

## Control who has the manage_sites permission

You can control who has the manage_sites 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 admin menu.
- Using the dropdown in the top-left corner, choose the role you want to edit.
- Enter "manage_sites" into the "Add Capability" box.
- Click "Add to role".

![Manage Sites](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/manage-sites.png)
Manage Sites

- Check or uncheck the "manage sites" box in the "Additional Capabilities" area.

![Manage Sites List Box](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/manage-sites-list-box-1024x125.png)
Manage Sites List Box

---

## All the Multisite capabilities in WordPress

1. [create_sites](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/create_sites/)
2. [delete_sites](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/delete_sites/)
3. upload_themes
4. upload_plugins
5. [manage_network](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/manage_network/)
6. [manage_network_options](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/manage_network_options/)
7. [manage_network_plugins](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/manage_network_plugins/)
8. [manage_network_themes](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/manage_network_themes/)
9. [manage_network_users](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/manage_network_users/)
10. [manage_sites](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/manage_sites/)
11. [upgrade_network](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/upgrade_network/)