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This code is used to get the directory of the current plugin: plugin_dir_url( __FILE__ ).

What should I use to get the directory of the current theme?

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I think you have to be a little careful because it depends on what you are trying to do.

If you are using a child theme get_template_directory(); will still go to the parent theme. However get_stylesheet_directory(); will go to the current theme, child or parent. Also, both these functions return absolute server paths.

If you wanted a fully formed URI, for links or images, you should use get_template_directory_uri(); or get_stylesheet_directory_uri(); using the correct one for the reasons stated.

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  • 4
    +1. Always use stylesheet filepath/url to reference the current Theme, and reserve template filepath/url to reference the parent Theme. Commented Apr 5, 2012 at 21:00
  • Unfortunately get_template_directory() returns the entire server path like /var/www/the/path/of/actual/wp-content/themes/mytheme which is not what you want for doing stuff with $wp_filesystem if WP is connecting through FTP. Commented Sep 11, 2014 at 3:41
  • @NoBugs - I was getting the entire server path as well but using get_stylesheet_directory_uri() instead of get_stylesheet_directory() solved the issue. Commented Feb 4, 2015 at 22:19
  • Thank you! most answers i found got me part of the way there with using get_stylesheet_directory() but then I was left in the root directory of my server. get_stylesheet_directory_uri() was the answer to my prayers! 🙏 Commented Aug 7, 2020 at 17:44
  • Ah, Wordpress. Backwards-compatible to a fault. (No sane person would deliberately use such ambiguous naming conventions!) Commented Sep 3, 2021 at 18:38
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get_stylesheet_directory_uri is what you want. it returns the URL of the current theme. get_stylesheet_directory will return the file path on the server.

For example:

<img src="<?php echo get_stylesheet_directory_uri(); ?>/assets/image.png" />

If you need the parent theme, get_template_directory and get_template_directory_uri are the equivalents.

If there is no parent theme then both will return the same value.

Further reading:

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  • get_stylesheet_directory() is the correct answer. get_template_directory() will point to the parent theme if a child theme is being used. Commented Jul 11, 2020 at 2:20
  • I adjusted the answer accordingly Commented Aug 25, 2020 at 14:02

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