How to Count Users in WordPress (Example + Shortcode)

In this WordPress tutorial, we’re going to try the count_users function in a working environment.

To get more into it, I’m going to make a shortcode out of the count_users function so that you can print the number anywhere you want using simple code.

We’ll have an extra step to make this function a shortcode, but you can think of it as a bonus tutorial.

How to Count Users in WordPress using the count_users function?

When you are running the count_users function, this function will return an array.

Returned array from the count_users function has a total_users key that contains the number of all users.

But what if you need to count users for each user role? Well, the returned array has that data too!

avail_roles is the key that provides an array value that contains the user count for each available user role.

Example of the count_users function output (fresh WordPress installation):

Array
(
    [total_users] => 1
    [avail_roles] => Array
        (
            [administrator] => 1
            [none] => 0
        )

)

How to print the count_users function output in a shortcode?

To add a shortcode in WordPress, you must use the add_shortcode function to register it.

The add_shortcode function gets two parameters, a unique tag and a callback which is the name of our custom user counter function.

Add the below codes to your current theme’s functions.php file or your custom plugin:

add_shortcode('count-users', 'my_custom_user_counter');
function my_custom_user_counter() {
	return count_users()["total_users"];
}

After adding this code to your WordPress, you can use it inside the WordPress editor or within the do_shortcode function:

[count-users]

I encourage you to create your own plugin to test codes in a more organized way.

If you do not know how to create a Simple WordPress Plugin, read my tutorial:

How to create a Hello World plugin for WordPress in 3 Steps