How to Get WordPress Post Data Using Custom Query

How to Get WordPress Post Data Using a WordPress Custom Query with tax_query and meta_query

When you’re building advanced functionality in WordPress, the default queries don’t always give you enough control. That’s where using a WordPress custom query with tax_query and meta_query becomes essential.

These tools let you filter posts by taxonomy terms and custom field values, so you can display exactly the content your project needs. Whether it’s a blog, portfolio, product listing, or something more advanced, mastering custom queries will help.

What is a WordPress Custom Query?

A WordPress custom query is a way to override the default post loop and pull specific content based on your own conditions. With WP_Query, you can apply filters like:

✅ tax_query to filter posts by categories, tags, or custom taxonomies
✅ meta_query to filter posts by custom field (post meta) values

Combining these gives you total flexibility to display filtered content across your site.

Why Use tax_query and meta_query with a WordPress Custom Query?

Here’s why developers love this approach:

✔️ Filter posts by categories, tags, or custom taxonomies
✔️ Show posts based on custom fields like “featured” or “rating”
✔️ Combine multiple filters for advanced queries
✔️ Build dynamic sections like carousels, filtered grids, and widgets
✔️ Essential for projects using custom post types or ACF fields

Example: Get Post Data with a WordPress Custom Query

Let’s say you want to:

✅ Get posts from the “news” category
✅ Only show posts where the custom field “featured” is set to “yes”

Here’s the WordPress custom query for that:

<?php
$args = array(
    'post_type'      => 'post',
    'posts_per_page' => 5,
    'tax_query'      => array(
        array(
            'taxonomy' => 'category',
            'field'    => 'slug',
            'terms'    => 'news',
        ),
    ),
    'meta_query'     => array(
        array(
            'key'     => 'featured',
            'value'   => 'yes',
            'compare' => '=',
        ),
    ),
);
$query = new WP_Query($args);
if ( $query->have_posts() ) :
    while ( $query->have_posts() ) : $query->the_post();
        echo get_the_title() .  ;
        echo   get_the_excerpt() ;
    endwhile;
    wp_reset_postdata();
else :
    echo 'No posts found.';
endif;

This custom query fetches posts exactly how you want — based on both taxonomy and meta field conditions.

Advanced Example with Multiple Filters

Need to filter by multiple conditions? You can extend your WordPress custom query like this:

<?php
 $args = array(
    'post_type'      => 'post',
    'posts_per_page' => 10,
    'tax_query'      => array(
        array(
            'taxonomy' => 'category',
            'field'    => 'slug',
            'terms'    => 'events',
        ),
    ),
    'meta_query'     => array(
        'relation' => 'AND',
        array(
            'key'     => 'highlight',
            'value'   => 'yes',
            'compare' => '=',
        ),
        array(
            'key'     => 'rating',
            'value'   => 4,
            'compare' => '>=',
        ),
    ),
);
$query = new WP_Query($args);

This shows posts that:

✅ Are in the “events” category
✅ Have a custom field highlight set to “yes”
✅ Have a rating custom field value of 4 or higher

When to Use a WordPress Custom Query

Consider using a WordPress custom query when you need:

✔️ Custom post listings for specific categories or taxonomies
✔️ Filtered content based on ACF fields or other custom meta
✔️ Dynamic sections like featured posts, product highlights, or rating-based sorting
✔️ Advanced search filters or AJAX-powered content updates

Best Practices for WordPress Custom Queries

• Use 'posts_per_page' to control results and optimize performance

• Always reset post data with wp_reset_postdata() after the custom loop

• Avoid overly complex queries on high-traffic pages

• Sanitize and validate inputs when building dynamic queries

Conclusion

Using a WordPress custom query with tax_query and meta_query gives you incredible control over your post data. You can filter, sort, and display content in ways that meet your project’s exact needs.

Whether you’re building a blog, a custom listing, or an eCommerce site, mastering custom queries lets you get the most from WordPress.

Start using WordPress custom queries today and take your development to the next level!