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Best Table of Contents Plugins for WordPress (Tested)

7 Best Table of Contents Plugins for WordPress (Tested)

Written By: author avatar Stacey Corrin
author avatar Stacey Corrin
Stacey has been writing about WordPress and digital marketing for over 10 years and on other topics for much longer. Alongside this, she's fascinated with web design, user experience, and SEO.
     Reviewed By: reviewer avatar John Turner
reviewer avatar John Turner
John Turner is the co-founder of RafflePress. He has over 20+ years of business and development experience and his plugins have been downloaded over 25 million times.

If you run a WordPress website, you want to keep your visitors happy and make it easy for them to find what they’re looking for. One great way to do this, especially for longer posts, is to add a table of contents.

A good table of contents helps readers quickly see what’s in your post and jump to the parts they care about most. This makes your site easier to use and can even help with SEO by showing search engines how your content is organized.

I’ve worked on many WordPress sites, and I’ve found that using a plugin is the simplest way to add a table of contents. But there are many plugins out there, so it can be hard to pick the right one.

In this guide, I’ll share my favorite table of contents plugins for WordPress and who they’re best for.

#PluginBest For
🥇All in One SEOSEO tools with table of contents
🥈Heroic Table of ContentsFlexible and free usage
🥉Table of Contents PlusSimple and efficient tables
4Easy Table of ContentsBeginner-friendly
5CM Table Of ContentsSpeed and mobile-friendly
6Joli Table Of ContentsCustomization and performance
7LuckyWP Table of ContentsAutomation with control

Why You Need A Table of Contents Plugin in WordPress

Adding a table of contents to your WordPress posts is a great way to help readers navigate long articles. It organizes your content, making it easy for people to see what’s in your post and quickly jump to the parts they care about most.

Tables of contents aren’t just good for readers — they’re great for search engine optimization (SEO) too. Google can use them to show links to different parts of your post in search results. Sometimes, Google even displays your entire table of contents, which can help your post stand out.

Table of Contents in SERP example

While you can add a table of contents by hand using code, it’s time-consuming and tricky for beginners. One small mistake can break the whole thing. That’s why many WordPress users turn to plugins instead.

Using a WordPress plugin is a much easier way to create a table of contents. These plugins do the work for you, saving time and reducing errors. Plus, they often come with more options to customize how your table of contents looks and works.

How I Tested These Table of Contents Plugins

To make sure I’m recommending the best table of contents plugins for WordPress, I put each one through a thorough testing process. Here’s what I looked at:

  • User-Friendliness: I checked how easy each plugin was to install, set up, and use. A good plugin should be straightforward, even for beginners.
  • Customization Options: I explored the ways you can change how the table of contents looks and works. This included changing colors and fonts, adjusting the layout, and controlling which headings to include.
  • Compatibility: I tested each plugin with popular WordPress themes to make sure it works well no matter what theme you use.
  • Integration: I checked that these table of contents plugins work seamlessly with other WordPress plugins, like SEO tools and page builders.
  • Mobile Responsive: I made sure each plugin’s table of contents looks good and works well on phones and tablets, not just on computers.

Top Table of Contents Plugins for WordPress

I’ve spent a lot of time testing different table of contents plugins for WordPress. After trying them on real websites and seeing how they perform, I’ve picked out the best ones.

These plugins are all great, but they each have their own special features. Some are better for beginners, while others are perfect for people who want lots of customization options.

Let’s start by looking at a plugin that does more than just create tables of contents.

1. All in One SEO (AIOSEO)

all in one seo is the best wordpress seo plugin

All in One SEO isn’t just for making tables of contents – it’s a full SEO toolkit for WordPress that has a great table of contents feature. I use it on many sites, including RafflePress, and it’s both powerful and easy to use.

The plugin makes adding a table of contents to your posts super simple. It uses your headings to create the table automatically, saving you time and effort.

Adding a table of contents in WordPress using AIOSEO

What’s great is how flexible it is. You can hide parts you don’t want, change how headings look, and choose between bullet points or numbers. It’s easy to use right out of the box, but you can still tweak things if you want to.

Hide headings in Table of Contents

I really like how it balances being automatic and customizable. You just add it to your post, and it does the work for you. But if you want to change something, you can.

Table of contents in post using AIOSEO

The best part is that it’s not just a table of contents tool. Since it’s part of a bigger WordPress SEO plugin, you get other tools to help your site show up better in Google searches. That’s a big bonus that makes All in One SEO really worth using.

Pros:

  • Easy to use – no need to know coding
  • Many ways to customize your table of contents
  • Comes with many other helpful SEO tools
  • Gets updated often and has great customer support
  • Works well with most WordPress themes and plugins

Cons:

  • The free version doesn’t have as many features as the paid one
  • Might be more than you need if you only want a table of contents

Pricing: 

There’s a free version with basic features. Paid plans start at $49.60 per year, which includes the table of contents and many other SEO tools.

Who Should Use It:

AIOSEO is great for website owners who want to improve their SEO and add tables of contents to their posts. It’s especially good for bloggers, small business owners, and anyone wanting to make their site easier to find on Google while also making it easier for readers to use.

2. Heroic Table of Contents

Heroic Table of Contents plugin for WordPress

Heroic Table of Contents is a free WordPress plugin that focuses on one thing: making tables of contents for your posts and pages. It’s straightforward and does its job well.

What I really like about this plugin is how easy it is to use. It doesn’t have unnecessary extras – just the features you need. You can add a table of contents right in the WordPress editor without any fuss.

Heroic TOC block

The plugin comes with four pre-made styles, which is great if you want your table to match your site quickly. You don’t need to spend time on design if you don’t want to.

Heroic Table of Contents is also flexible. You can make your table show or hide with a click, choose between bullet points or numbers, and even change how headings look without affecting your main content.

Heroic TOC settings

One of the best things about this plugin is that it works well on all devices. Whether someone’s reading on a phone, tablet, or computer, the table of contents will look good and be easy to use.

Pros:

  • Easy to set up and use
  • Doesn’t slow down your site
  • Works well with most WordPress themes
  • Completely free to use
  • SEO-friendly

Cons:

  • Fewer customization options compared to some paid plugins
  • Limited integration with other plugins

Pricing:

Heroic Table of Contents is 100% free to use.

Who Should Use It:

Use Heroic Table of Contents if you want to create clear, user-friendly tables of contents for your WordPress site.

3. Table of Contents Plus

Table of Contents Plus WordPress plugin

Table of Contents Plus is a popular free plugin that’s been around for a while. It’s easy to use but still gives you plenty of options to customize.

This plugin creates tables of contents automatically using your post headings. One of its best features is that you can select which types of content get tables – like regular posts or pages. This is super helpful if you have a big site and want to save time.

Table of Contents Plus settings

The plugin comes with ready-made color schemes, which is great for quickly matching your table to your site’s look. But if you want to fine-tune things, you can easily adjust the table width or text size.

Table of Contents Plus themes

What I really like about Table of Contents Plus is how it balances simplicity and flexibility. It’s easy to set up right away, but you can still tweak things if you want to. The automatic table adding feature is a real time-saver, especially for larger websites.

A nice extra touch is the smooth scrolling feature. When someone clicks a heading in the table, the page smoothly moves to that section. It’s a small detail, but it makes the reading experience better for your visitors.

Table of Contents plus example

Pros:

  • Easy to set up and use
  • Lots of customization options for a free plugin
  • Works with most WordPress themes
  • Automatically adds tables to content types you choose
  • Smooth scrolling option improves user experience

Cons:

  • Hasn’t been updated in a while
  • Some users report conflicts with certain themes or plugins

Pricing:

Table of Contents Plus is completely free to use.

Who Should Use It:

Table of Contents Plus is a solid choice if you want a reliable, customizable table of contents plugin that’s been trusted by WordPress users for years.

4. Easy Table of Contents

Easy Table of Contents

Easy Table of Contents lives up to its name – it’s a free plugin that makes adding tables of contents to your WordPress site truly easy. One of its best features is how well it works with different WordPress editors, including the block editor, the classic editor, and even popular page builders.

This plugin creates tables automatically using your post headings, saving you time and effort. You have control over which types of posts get tables, and you can easily adjust things like the table width, text size, and appearance.

Easy Table of Contents example

What I really like about Easy Table of Contents is how user-friendly it is right out of the box. You don’t need to fiddle with countless settings to get it working well. Its compatibility with various editors is a big plus – you can use it no matter how you prefer to create your content.

Another time-saving feature is the ability to set up automatic table insertion for specific post types. This is especially helpful if you have a large site with lots of content.

It’s also worth mentioning that the tables look good on all devices – phones, tablets, and computers. In a mobile-first world, this is critical for providing a good user experience.

Pros:

  • Very user-friendly and easy to set up
  • Works with most WordPress themes and page builders
  • Automatically adds tables to content types you choose
  • Offers good customization options for a free plugin
  • Mobile-responsive, so it looks good on all devices

Cons:

  • Some users report it can slow down your site if not configured correctly
  • Advanced styling options are somewhat limited

Pricing:

Easy Table of Contents is free to use.

Who Should Use It:

Easy Table of Contents is a solid choice if you want a straightforward, flexible plugin that works well across different WordPress setups and devices.

5. CM Table Of Contents

CM Table of Contents for WordPress plugin

CM Table Of Contents is a plugin that strikes a nice balance between features and ease of use. It’s created by CreativeMindsSolutions, a company with a good reputation for WordPress plugins. With this tool, you can add tables of contents to posts, pages, and other content types.

One handy feature is the ability to make your table show or hide with a click. This is especially useful for longer tables that might take up a lot of space. You have control over which headings to include, and you can customize the look of each level by changing colors and fonts.

CM Table of Contents example

What really stands out about this plugin is its focus on site speed. It includes settings to help your table load quickly, which is great for maintaining overall site performance. This attention to speed is a big plus in today’s web environment.

I particularly appreciate the level of customization CM Table Of Contents offers. Being able to adjust the appearance of each level in your table gives you fine-grained control over how it fits with your site’s design.

Another useful feature is the ability to use shortcodes to place your table in different locations. This flexibility allows you to get creative with where and how you display your table of contents.

Pros:

  • Easy to set up and use
  • Offers good customization options
  • Includes performance optimization settings
  • Works with shortcodes for flexible placement
  • Supports one or two-column layouts for your table

Cons:

  • Some advanced features are only in the paid version
  • May have a steeper learning curve than simpler plugins

Pricing:

CM Table Of Contents has a free version available. There’s also a pro version with more features, but pricing isn’t listed on their website – you need to contact them for details.

Who Should Use It:

CM Table Of Contents is a solid choice if you’re looking for a feature-rich plugin that doesn’t sacrifice ease of use or site performance.

6. Joli Table Of Contents

Joli Table of Contents plugins for WordPress

Joli Table Of Contents is a lightweight plugin that’s great for SEO and works smoothly across all devices. It creates tables of contents that look good whether you’re viewing them on a computer, phone, or tablet.

This plugin keeps things simple but effective. It offers two table styles and four button icons for showing or hiding the table. You’re not overwhelmed with options, but you still have room to customize.

You can adjust several aspects of your table, including the numbering, text size, table width, and even add a shadow effect. These options give you enough control to make the table fit your site’s look without getting too complicated.

Joli Table of Contents example

What stands out about Joli Table Of Contents is its focus on speed and mobile-friendliness. The plugin only loads when the table is needed, which helps keep your site running fast. This is great for user experience and can also help with your site’s performance in search rankings.

While the customization options aren’t endless, they’re well-chosen and easy to use. The SEO-friendly design is another big plus, potentially helping your site perform better in search results.

Pros:

  • Very lightweight, doesn’t slow down your site
  • Easy to set up and use
  • Creates responsive tables that work well on all devices
  • Offers useful customization options
  • SEO-friendly design

Cons:

  • Fewer customization options compared to some other plugins
  • Advanced features require the paid Pro version

Pricing:

Joli Table Of Contents has a free version with basic features. The Pro version starts at $39.99 per year for one site, with lifetime plans also available.

Who Should Use It:

Joli Table Of Contents is a good choice if you want a straightforward, fast-loading table of contents plugin that works well on all devices and supports your SEO efforts.

7. LuckyWP Table of Contents

LuckyWP Table of Contents

LuckyWP Table of Contents is a free plugin that strikes a nice balance between ease of use and flexibility. It automatically creates tables of contents from your headings, which is a real time-saver.

This plugin gives you control over which types of posts get tables. You can also adjust the look of your tables by changing colors, fonts, and borders. If you need to, you can even exclude specific headings or pages from the table.

LuckyWP Table of Contents plugin

What really stands out about LuckyWP Table of Contents is how it combines automatic features with manual controls. This mix is great if you want to save time but still keep control over your content structure.

A unique feature of this plugin is its widget for adding tables of contents to sidebars. This is super helpful for long articles, as it keeps the table visible while readers scroll through your content.

Another plus is that LuckyWP Table of Contents plays well with most WordPress themes. This means you’re likely to have a smooth experience integrating it into your site, regardless of your theme choice.

Pros:

  • Easy to set up and use
  • Good mix of automatic and manual controls
  • Offers decent customization options • Includes a useful sidebar widget
  • Compatible with most WordPress themes

Cons:

  • Some users report occasional glitches with certain themes
  • Advanced styling options are somewhat limited

Pricing:

LuckyWP Table of Contents is free to use. There’s no premium version, so all features are available in the free plugin.

Who Should Use It:

If you’re looking for a table of contents plugin that’s both automatic and customizable, with some extra features like sidebar widgets, LuckyWP Table of Contents is worth considering.

What’s the Best WordPress Table of Contents Plugin?

For the best all-around tool that helps with SEO and includes a great table of contents feature, All in One SEO is my top pick.

AIOSEO makes it simple to add and customize tables of contents right in the WordPress editor. You can easily choose which headings to show or hide. But that’s not all – this plugin also helps with creating sitemaps and making your content more SEO-friendly.

Bonus: Top Plugins for WordPress Websites

I hope this guide helped you find the best table of contents plugins for your WordPress site.

And, if you need more easy ways to improve your website, you may find the following guides helpful:

If you liked this article, please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for RafflePress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

author avatar
Stacey Corrin Writer
Stacey has been writing about WordPress and digital marketing for over 10 years and on other topics for much longer. Alongside this, she's fascinated with web design, user experience, and SEO.

Disclosure: Our content is reader-supported. This means if you click on some of our links, then we may earn a commission. We only recommend products that we believe will add value to our readers.

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