WordPress REST API: Build a Headless CMS for Your Next.js App
Use WordPress as a headless CMS powering a Next.js frontend. Learn how to fetch posts, custom fields, and media via the REST API.
Abdur Razzak
Full-Stack Web Developer
What Is Headless WordPress?
Headless WordPress decouples the backend (WordPress CMS) from the frontend (your choice of framework). WordPress manages content; Next.js handles rendering. You get the familiarity of the WordPress admin panel with the performance of a modern frontend.
The WordPress REST API
WordPress includes a built-in REST API at /wp-json/wp/v2/. You can fetch posts, pages, categories, tags, users, and media. Custom post types and ACF fields are also exposed with the right plugins.
Fetching in Next.js
Use Next.js server components or generateStaticParams for blog pages. Fetch posts from the WordPress API at build time to generate static pages. Set revalidate to a sensible interval so new content publishes without a manual rebuild.
Authentication for Private Content
Public endpoints are unauthenticated. To access draft posts, private pages, or perform write operations, use Application Passwords (WordPress 5.6+) or a JWT plugin. Store credentials in environment variables and never expose them to the client.