{"id":88818,"date":"2023-07-14T18:25:14","date_gmt":"2023-07-14T18:25:14","guid":{"rendered":"\/tutorials\/?p=88818"},"modified":"2026-03-10T09:28:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T09:28:16","slug":"get_posts-function-wordpress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/ca\/tutorials\/get_posts-function-wordpress","title":{"rendered":"What Is the WordPress get_posts Function and How to Use It to Build PHP Post Lists"},"content":{"rendered":"

The WordPress get_posts <\/strong>function lets you retrieve posts, pages, and custom post types based on given parameters. It works by filtering the posts based on criteria like date, author, type, permission, or meta key.<\/p>

WordPress site owners can use this function to show relevant content to users quickly. For example, they can display lists of posts with the most comments, the same author, or a similar category.<\/p>

In this article, we will explain the WordPress get_posts <\/strong>function, including its parameters and objects. You will also learn how to use it to create custom queries for various tasks.<\/p>

Download all-in-one WordPress cheat sheet<\/a><\/p>

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What Is the WordPress get_posts Function?<\/h2>\n


\nThe WordPress get_posts<\/strong> function is a feature that lets you query posts based on determined parameters, like the publication date, author, type, permission, or meta key.
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\nWordPress developers use it to quickly find posts matching their given criteria. For example, they can show lists of posts with the most views, the same publication date, or a similar category.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>

How Does WordPress get_posts Work?<\/h3>

The WordPress get_posts <\/strong>function turns PHP code into SQL queries to fetch post data from your database. These queries are based on your given parameters – the criteria to filter the posts.<\/p>

To construct the SQL queries, this WordPress function uses the WP_query <\/strong>class. After processing the queries, the database will return an array of WP_post <\/strong>results, each representing an individual post object.<\/p>

Important!<\/strong> In this case, posts<\/strong> refer to WordPress posts, pages, and custom post types.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>

WP_query<\/strong> can also pull post content from the WordPress database and display it on the web browser. However, it will alter the WordPress loop<\/a>, causing issues if you don’t reset it after executing a query.<\/p>

Meanwhile, the get_posts <\/strong>function automatically resets the loop whenever you run a WordPress query. It lets you send multiple post queries to the WordPress database without issues.<\/p>

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Suggested Reading<\/h4>\n

Check out our other WordPress tutorials:
\nHow to Export Posts on WordPress<\/a>
\nHow to Add WordPress Related Posts<\/a>
\nHow to Schedule Posts in WordPress<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>

WordPress get_posts Function Parameters<\/h2>

The get_posts <\/strong>function has various parameters to apply custom filters. Some of the most used parameters in the WordPress core include:<\/p>