WordPress 6.5: What’s New and Why It Matters

WordPress has just released a significant update—WordPress 6.5—and it’s packed with new features, performance enhancements, and tools that make managing websites easier and more efficient than ever.

Whether you’re a blogger, developer, designer, or business owner, this latest version brings improvements that can genuinely enhance your workflow and website performance. Here’s a clear and concise breakdown of what’s new and why it matters.

1. A Simpler Way to Manage Fonts: Introducing the Font Library

One of the standout features in WordPress 6.5 is the brand-new Font Library. You can now upload and manage fonts directly from within WordPress—no plugins, no code.

Need a bespoke font to match your brand? You can:

• Upload your own fonts
  
• Choose from a curated list of Google Fonts
  

The update also introduces improved typography tools, giving you more creative control over how your content appears. It’s never been easier to create a website that looks and feels uniquely yours.

2. Improved Page Building in the Block Editor (Gutenberg)

The block editor has come a long way, and WordPress 6.5 brings even more refinements to make page building smoother and more intuitive—especially for non-coders. Key improvements include:

• Enhanced drag-and-drop functionality
  
• Easier selection of nested blocks
  
• A tidier, more consistent toolbar
  
• New controls for spacing, borders, and shadows
  

These updates streamline the design process, helping you build visually impressive pages with less effort.

3. Custom Fields Now Integrated with the Site Editor

Great news for developers and advanced users: Custom Fields can now be used directly within the Site Editor. This means you can insert dynamic content (like bespoke product data or team member profiles) right into your templates—no need for third-party plugins or complex workarounds.

This feature adds a new level of flexibility and control, making it easier to build and maintain content-rich, dynamic websites.

4. Faster Load Times and Enhanced Performance

Speed matters—for both your users and your SEO. WordPress 6.5 brings a host of under-the-bonnet improvements, including:

• Faster editor load times
  
• Quicker template rendering
  
• More efficient handling of revisions and database queries
  

The result? A smoother experience for you and your visitors, with improved site responsiveness and faster page load times across the board.

5. Accessibility and Security Improvements

Inclusivity and safety are front and centre in this release. WordPress 6.5 introduces over 60 accessibility enhancements, helping to ensure your site is usable by everyone, including people with disabilities.

At the same time, multiple security upgrades have been rolled out to protect against new and emerging threats—helping to keep your website and your users’ data secure.

Final Thoughts from Kiwi Commerce

WordPress 6.5 isn’t just another version—it’s a significant step forward for website builders of all skill levels. With better tools for design, dynamic content management, speed optimisation, and accessibility, this update offers real value.

Before updating your site, we always recommend:

• Backing up your website
  
• Testing the update on a staging environment first
  

If you’re unsure where to start or need help taking advantage of the latest features, our team at Kiwi Commerce is here to support you.

Need a hand upgrading to WordPress 6.5 or tailoring your site to benefit from the latest tools? Let’s talk.