Add and Display Custom Fields in WordPress Without Plugin

If you are interested in adding extra information to your WordPress posts via Custom Fields in WordPress, like a YouTube video link, a product price, or a rating. And you want to do it without installing another plugin like ACF?

The best part is that it is possible, and that too without using any Plugin. You just need to write a little code to use them. The WordPress website has this built-in support for custom code.

In this post, I’ll show you get the following topics.

Add a custom input box in the post editor
Save the data
Without using any plugin, show the value on your website.

Let’s begin.

What Are Custom Fields in WordPress?

Custom fields (also called post meta) let you store extra information with your posts.

For example:

Add a “Video URL” field to show a video link
Add a “Price” field for product posts
Add a “Recipe Time” field for food blogs

You may also need this: Make Sticky Head in WordPress

Step 1: Add a Custom Fields in WordPress in the Post Editor

Below, you will find a Custom Box. Enter a value like a YouTube link and post it on the editor. Code to Add:

Open your theme’s functions.php file (or use a child theme), and paste this:

// Add custom field meta box
function wp_custom_video_meta_box() {
    add_meta_box(
        'custom_video_url_box',           // ID
        'Video URL',                      // Title shown in editor
        'wp_custom_video_url_callback',   // Function to display input
        'post',                           // Post type
        'normal',                         // Location
        'default'                         // Priority
    );
}
add_action('add_meta_boxes', 'wp_custom_video_meta_box');

// Show input field inside the box
function wp_custom_video_url_callback($post) {
    $value = get_post_meta($post->ID, '_video_url', true);
    echo '<label for="wp_custom_video_url">Paste a YouTube or video link:</label><br>';
    echo '<input type="text" name="wp_custom_video_url" value="' . esc_attr($value) . '" style="width:100%;" />';
}

// Save field value
function wp_save_custom_video_url($post_id) {
    if (isset($_POST['wp_custom_video_url'])) {
        update_post_meta($post_id, '_video_url', sanitize_text_field($_POST['wp_custom_video_url']));
    }
}
add_action('save_post', 'wp_save_custom_video_url');

What it does

Adds a “Video URL” box below your post editor
Saves the value you enter as a custom field called _video_url

Step 2: Add the Field Value in a Post

Go to your WordPress dashboard.
Edit a blog post or create a new one.
Scroll down — you’ll now see a box titled “Video URL”.
Paste a YouTube link (like https://youtu.be/abc123) in the box.
Click Update to save the post.

Done! The value is now saved. The next step is to let’s show it on your website.

Step 3: Show the Custom Fields in WordPress on Your Website

The custom field will be displayed. Go to the WordPress website and enter the video_url value on the post page.

➤ Add this code to your `functions.php` file:

phpCopyEdit// Show the video URL after post content
function wp_show_video_url_after_content($content) {
    if (is_singular('post') && in_the_loop() && is_main_query()) {
        $video_url = get_post_meta(get_the_ID(), '_video_url', true);

        if (!empty($video_url)) {
            $output = '<div class="custom-video-link" style="margin-top:20px;padding:10px;background:#f9f9f9;border-left:4px solid #0073aa;">';
            $output .= '🎥 <strong>Watch Video:</strong> <a href="' . esc_url($video_url) . '" target="_blank">' . esc_html($video_url) . '</a>';
            $output .= '</div>';

            $content .= $output; // Append to post content
        }
    }

    return $content;
}
add_filter('the_content', 'wp_show_video_url_after_content');

What this does:

Hooks into the main post content
Checks if a value exists for _video_url
Adds a styled video link after the post

Step 4: Test It

Now visit any post where you added a video URL.

You should see something like this under your content:

🎥 Watch Video: https://youtube.com/your-link

If it’s not showing:

Double-check you entered a value and clicked Update
Make sure you’re on a single post page
Confirm the field name is _video_url (with underscore)

Key Bonus Tips

Want to:

Embed the video instead of showing a link?
Display fields before the content?
Add multiple custom fields (like “price” and “location”)?

You can do all of that — just ask, and I’ll show you how in future posts.

Conclusion

This method works in all major WordPress themes, including Astra, GeneratePress, Kadence, and even block themes, because it uses core WordPress features.

No plugins. No bloat. Just clean, native WordPress.

It will make your website faster, lightweight, amd hassle-free.

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Thank you.

Add and Display Custom Fields in WordPress Without a Plugin

Table of Contents

What Are Custom Fields in WordPress?