To add a news ticker to WordPress, install the free MarqueeX plugin and add the News Ticker block or Elementor widget. Set a label like "Breaking", then type headlines or pull your latest post titles automatically. Classic themes can use the [marqueex_ticker] shortcode. Turn on pause on hover so visitors can stop it to read.
What a good news ticker needs
- A fixed label — "Breaking", "Latest", "Updates" — that doesn't scroll away.
- Short headlines that fit in a glance.
- Links to the full story.
- A pause when the visitor hovers.
- The right speed — slow enough to read a full headline.
Block editor
- Install and activate MarqueeX.
- Insert the News Ticker block.
- Set the label text and its style.
- Choose the source: type headlines or use your latest posts.
- Set speed, direction, separator and pause on hover.
- Publish.
The block works in posts, pages and Full Site Editing templates — put it in your header template part to show it on every page.
Elementor
- Search the widget panel for News Ticker and drag it under your header.
- Set the label, the source (typed or latest posts), speed and pause on hover.
- Style the label badge and the text with Elementor's typography and colour controls.
To show it on every page, add it to your header template in Elementor's Theme Builder.
Classic themes and other builders
Use the shortcode wherever shortcodes work:
[marqueex_ticker]
Ideas beyond news
| Use | Label | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Magazine or blog | Latest | Latest posts |
| Store | Offers | Typed promotions |
| School or council | Notices | Typed notices |
| Events | Coming up | Typed dates |
| Status updates | Status | Typed updates |
For a sale banner without a label, use the Text Marquee instead — see scrolling text in Elementor.
Keep it readable
- One idea per item. Separate items with a clear separator.
- Don't hide essential news only in the ticker — link to a page that has it too.
- Avoid fast speeds. If you can't read a headline twice before it disappears, slow it down.
- Test with reduce motion on. MarqueeX respects it.
Pro extras
MarqueeX Pro lets visitors speed up, reverse or drag the ticker with the mouse, and adds hand-picked posts and an advanced Elementor query by author and taxonomy, from $19.99 a year.
Comparing ticker plugins? See our round-up of marquee and news ticker plugins, which includes Ditty.