How to Duplicate a Menu in WordPress

Duplicating a menu in WordPress lets you reuse a navigation structure for a different location, a test site, or a new theme without rebuilding it from scratch. This guide shows you how to copy an existing menu and assign it to a new location, with no plugins required.

What You’ll Need

• Access to your WordPress admin dashboard (wp-admin).
• An existing menu that you want to duplicate.
• No plugins are required; this uses core WordPress features.

Step-by-Step

1. Log in to your WordPress admin area.
2. Go to Appearance → Menus in the left sidebar.
3. At the top of the Menus page, you’ll see a list of your existing menus. Click the Select a menu to edit dropdown and choose the menu you want to duplicate.
4. After selecting the menu, click the Manage Locations tab at the top of the page. This shows which theme locations your menu is assigned to. Note these locations (e.g., Primary Menu, Footer Menu).
5. Return to the Edit Menus tab.
6. Look for the Menu Settings box at the bottom of the left column. It has a checkbox labeled Automatically add new top-level pages — leave that as is.
7. In the same Menu Settings box, click the Create a new menu link. (This is usually at the bottom of the box.)
8. Enter a name for the duplicate menu, e.g., “Main Menu – Copy”.
9. Click Create Menu. WordPress will create a new empty menu.
10. Now you need to copy the items. Go back to the original menu (use the dropdown at the top to select it again).
11. On the right side of the screen, you’ll see the menu items listed. You can manually re-add each item to the new menu by going to the left column, selecting the pages, posts, or custom links, and clicking Add to Menu. This is tedious if you have many items.
12. Faster method: In the left column, under Pages, click the View All tab. Select all the pages that are in your original menu (use Ctrl/Command-click to select multiple). Then click Add to Menu. Repeat for any custom links, categories, or other item types.
13. After adding all items, arrange them in the correct order by dragging them in the right column. Ensure the hierarchy (sub-items) matches the original.
14. Once the items are in place, click Save Menu.
15. Now go to Manage Locations tab again. You’ll see a dropdown for each theme location. Select your new duplicate menu for the location(s) where you want it to appear.
16. Click Save Changes. Your duplicate menu is now live.

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting to assign the new menu to a location: Creating a duplicate doesn’t automatically show it. You must assign it under Manage Locations.
• Not copying all item types: If your original menu contains custom links or categories, you need to add those separately. Don’t just copy pages.
• Losing hierarchy: When you re-add items, the indentation (sub-items) is not preserved. You must manually re-indent them by dragging items slightly to the right.
• Editing the original instead of the duplicate: Make sure you have the correct menu selected in the dropdown before making changes.

Tips

• Use a plugin for one-click duplication: If you have a large menu, consider a plugin like “Duplicate Menu” or “Menu Duplicator”. They add a “Duplicate” link next to each menu, saving time.
• Export/Import: For a more robust solution, use the built-in WordPress export tool (Tools → Export) to export all menus, then import them on another site.
• Test on a staging site: If you’re duplicating a menu for testing, do it on a staging copy of your site to avoid breaking your live navigation.
• Keep names clear: Name your duplicate menus descriptively (e.g., “Footer – New”, “Primary – Test”) so you can tell them apart later.

Troubleshooting

• New menu not showing up: Check that you’ve assigned it to a location under Manage Locations and saved. Also, clear any caching plugins or browser cache.
• Menu items missing: If some items didn’t copy, go back to the original menu and check which item types you used. Add those separately (e.g., custom links, categories).
• Duplicate appears but looks different: The theme might style menus differently based on location. Check that the location you assigned is the same as the original.
• Cannot find “Create a new menu” link: In some themes, the Menu Settings box might be collapsed. Click the box title to expand it.
• Changes not saved: Make sure you click the blue “Save Menu” button after making changes. If the page refreshes and changes are gone, try again in a private browsing window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I duplicate a menu without a plugin?

Yes, you can manually recreate the menu by adding the same items to a new menu. It takes a few minutes but requires no plugins.

Will duplicating a menu affect my original menu?

No, the original menu remains unchanged. You’re creating a separate copy.

How do I copy a menu to another WordPress site?

Use the built-in export tool (Tools → Export) to download an XML file, then import it on the other site. This will include all menus.

Can I duplicate a menu in the block editor (FSE)?

Yes, with Full Site Editing, you can use the Navigation block. You can duplicate the block itself and modify it. However, the classic Menus screen still works for most themes.

Why can’t I see the “Create a new menu” link?

This link appears in the Menu Settings box on the Edit Menus tab. If you don’t see it, ensure you’re on the right screen and try expanding the box.

Does duplicating a menu copy the menu’s CSS classes?

Yes, if you added custom CSS classes to individual menu items, those are copied when you re-add the items. However, the new menu itself won’t have any custom classes unless you add them.

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