How to Install a Joomla Template?

Updated: 28 September 2026 · Applies to: Joomla 6.1 and 5.4

A template controls the look of your Joomla site: layout, colours and fonts. Joomla 5 and 6 include the Cassiopeia template, and you can install others as extension packages.

Install a template

1. Download the template package (a .zip file) for your Joomla version from its developer. Check that it supports Joomla 5 or 6.
2. In the administrator area, go to System › Install › Extensions.
3. On the Upload Package File tab, drag the zip file into the box. Joomla installs it and shows a success message.

Make it the default

1. Go to System › Site Template Styles.
2. Click the star in the Default column next to the new template.
3. Open the template style to change its settings (logo, colours, layout), and save.

Change the design safely

• To change Cassiopeia or another template without losing changes at the next update, create a child template: System › Site Templates, open the template's files, and click Create Child Template.
• For small CSS changes, add a user.css file in the template's media/templates/site/<template>/css folder through the template editor.

Tip: Remove templates you do not use in System › Manage › Extensions so they do not need updates.