Custom Field
Quick Definition
A custom field (also called post meta) is extra data you attach to a WordPress post, page, or custom post type — like a price, a rating, a date, or any other information beyond the title and content.
What Is a Custom Field?
"Metadata is information about information" — custom fields store that metadata. Unlimited key-value pairs per post, stored in wp_postmeta.
Use cases: recipe cooking time, product price, event date, property square footage.
Functions: add_post_meta(), get_post_meta(), update_post_meta(), delete_post_meta().
Most people use ACF (Advanced Custom Fields) — 2M+ installs, visual field builder.
Why It Matters
Custom fields turn WordPress into an application platform. See our plugins guide and WooCommerce tutorial.
Sources: WordPress Plugin Handbook: Managing Post Metadata, WordPress Developer Resources: add_post_meta()