PHP (PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor) is a server-side programming language that powers over 75% of all websites — including WordPress. Every WordPress page, plugin, and theme is built with PHP.
PHP and WordPress
When someone visits your WordPress site, the server executes PHP code to:
- Query the database for content
- Process theme templates
- Run plugin logic
- Generate the final HTML sent to the browser
Why PHP Version Matters
- Security — Older PHP versions no longer receive security patches, making your site vulnerable.
- Performance — PHP 8.x is up to 3x faster than PHP 7.0 for WordPress workloads.
- Compatibility — Modern plugins and themes require PHP 7.4+ or 8.0+.
PHP Version Support
- PHP 8.1 — Security fixes until December 2025.
- PHP 8.2 — Active support until December 2025.
- PHP 8.3 — Active support until November 2026.
- PHP 8.4 — Latest stable release.
Any version below PHP 8.1 is considered end-of-life and no longer receives security updates.
What InspectWP Checks
InspectWP detects the PHP version from the X-Powered-By response header or other server indicators. Outdated PHP versions are flagged as a security concern.