Custom Global Variables
Easily create custom variables that can be accessed globally in Wordpress and PHP. Retrieval of information is extremely fast, with no database calls.
5(10 reviews)
·5.0K+ active installs·Updated 3 years agoAs of April 2026, Custom Global Variables is a WordPress options plugin with 5.0K+ active installations and a 5/5 rating from 10 reviews. It has been downloaded 20K+ times in total. Requires WordPress 3.0.1+ and PHP 5.6+. Available on WordPress.org since 2016. Last updated 3 years ago — may have compatibility concerns. Download volume is stable this week. Top alternative: Redux Framework.
5/510 reviews
5.0K+active installs
20K+total downloads
10 yearssince 2016
Overview
Create your own custom variables to manage information on your website such as:
- Phone numbers
- Addresses
- Social media links
- HTML snippets
- And anything else
test
Easily access them globally in WordPress and PHP.
Why you need it
Rather than having to change something like an email address across multiple pages, you can do it in one place. Avoid the pitfalls of hard coding information in your WordPress theme that is likely to change.
Why it’s better
- Your variables are stored and retrieved locally without any calls to the database. That means faster load times for your pages!
- Variables can be accessed easily in PHP from the global scope.
Usage
Display your variables using the shortcode syntax:
[cgv variable-name]
Or using the superglobal in PHP:
<?php echo $GLOBALS['cgv']['variab…Screenshots
Ratings & Reviews
510 reviews
5 ★
10
4 ★
0
3 ★
0
2 ★
0
1 ★
0
Recent Reviews
Thanks For This GREAT Plugin!!!
·3 years ago
I am not one to leave reviews. But have to let you all know what a Godsend this plugin has been to me and my team!! So simple, yet so effective. Thanks again and keep up the great work.
The best custom shortcode plugin for agencies!
by Seb Fontan·4 years ago
I’ve been using CGV for a few years now. At our agency, it’s become one of our go-to plugins and is installed on virtually all of our sites. No other plugin allows you to create and manage custom variables (shortcodes) as easily as Custom Global Variables. The UI is straightforward and uncluttered. I’m grateful to the developers for continuing to support and update this little gem. Hope it sticks around for many years and doesn’t change too much!
Exactly what I was looking for.
by Leona·8 years ago
I needed a way of presenting some data in multiple locations, being a web developer I knew I could use variables but didn’t want to edit the core app or theme, so this fitted my requirements like a glove, only one bug, when you enter a variable name but not a value and save, it says save successful, but it doesn’t actually save, this need a check for data, its a minor thing, once I figured out why my newly entered variables.
Simply, smart and free !
by Tony88·8 years ago
Congratulations on great work.
Just what i needed, thanks!
by wzshop·9 years ago
Just what i needed, thanks!
Download Trends
Today: 4Yesterday: 7This week: 40Period total: 2K
Compatibility
| WordPress | 3.0.1+ requiredTested up to 6.1.10 |
| PHP | 5.6+ required |
Version Adoption
v1.1
96.1%
v1.0
3.9%
Top Alternatives to Custom Global Variables
Frequently Asked Questions
Changelog
1.1.2
- Updated to be able to use markups in value fields.
Contributors
Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Analysis and metrics by PluginSift.