One reason Hugo is such a popular static site generator is the ease with which you can add visually appealing themes to new and existing website projects. If you haven’t tested out new themes on Hugo yet, take a minute — literally — to spin up a new Hugo site on CloudCannon, the CMS designed for your Hugo sites. With your Git account connected, you’ll be able to create a new Hugo site repo with ease, and adding a theme to a Hugo site is as straightforward as following the official Hugo documentation. (Note that some themes require a little extra config; each of the fifty themes listed below have readme files detailing what you’ll need to do.)
When it comes to actually selecting a theme, you’re spoilt for choice. I’ve set out the top fifty Hugo themes below, with a little information about each of them. The most important points to note are the minimum version of Hugo they require, and how recently they have been updated.
How we ranked Hugo themes
I’ve arranged these themes based on their GitHub stars as of the date of publication, in descending order. While GitHub stars are by no means the sole arbiter of quality — in many cases they function as a kind of self-affirming popularity contest — the star metric we’ve used for ranking does reflect a range of user intents. Personally, I use GitHub stars for three main reasons: to follow along with creators’ updates; to show my appreciation for interesting or noteworthy projects; and sometimes even just to bookmark projects to check out later.
If you’re interested in finding out more about each of these themes, I’d recommend using seladb’s StarTrack 2.4.0 to show their recent growth in GitHub stars over time. Knowing the age of a given project — as well as when it was last updated — is handy for tracking trends and making sure you’re aware of projects that are (or aren’t) actively maintained.
With all that in mind, let’s take a look at the most starred Hugo themes.
PaperMod
A fast, clean, and responsive theme.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: Aditya Telange
Minimum Hugo version: 0.83.0
Github stars: 3213
Last updated: 2022-05-12
License: MIT
Download PaperMod theme for Hugo
Stack
A card-style theme, designed for bloggers.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: Jimmy Cai
Minimum Hugo version: 0.87.0
Github stars: 2129
Last updated: 2022-03-21
License: GPL-3.0-only
Coder
A minimalist blog theme.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: Luiz F. A. de Prá
Minimum Hugo version: 0.77.0
Github stars: 1878
Last updated: 2022-03-10
License: MIT
LoveIt
A clean, elegant and advanced theme.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: Dillon
Minimum Hugo version: 0.62.0
Github stars: 1871
Last updated: 2022-05-14
License: MIT
Download LoveIt theme for Hugo
Book
A Hugo documentation theme as simple as a plain book.
Use case(s): Documentation
Author: Alex Shpak
Minimum Hugo version: 0.68
Github stars: 1804
Last updated: 2022-04-26
License: MIT
Even
A concise theme, ported from the Hexo theme of the same name.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: olOwOlo
Minimum Hugo version: 0.60.0
Github stars: 1752
Last updated: 2021-01-20
License: MIT
Docsy
A set of Hugo documentation templates for launching open source content.
Use case(s): Documentation
Author: The Docsy Authors
Minimum Hugo version: 0.73.0
Github stars: 1706
Last updated: 2022-05-14
License: Apache-2.0
Learn
A multilingual-ready theme designed for documentation.
Use case(s): Documentation
Author: Mathieu Cornic
Minimum Hugo version: 0.25
Github stars: 1397
Last updated: 2021-10-29
License: MIT
terminal
A simple, retro theme.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: panr
Minimum Hugo version: 0.74
Github stars: 1279
Last updated: 2022-03-30
License: MIT
Download terminal theme for Hugo
hello-friend-ng
A simple theme, inspired by Hello Friend and Hermit.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: Djordje Atlialp
Minimum Hugo version: 0.3
Github stars: 1156
Last updated: 2022-02-05
License: MIT
Download hello-friend-ng theme for Hugo
Doks
A theme to help you build modern documentation websites.
Use case(s): Documentation
Author: Henk Verlinde
Minimum Hugo version: 0.80.0
Github stars: 955
Last updated: 2022-04-21
License: MIT
Hermit
A minimal and fast theme for bloggers.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: Track3
Minimum Hugo version: 0.43
Github stars: 954
Last updated: 2022-06-09
License: MIT
Download Hermit theme for Hugo
Paper
A simple, clean, and flexible theme.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: nanxiaobei
Minimum Hugo version: 0.57.1
Github stars: 912
Last updated: 2022-04-01
License: MIT
Beautiful Hugo
A simple and beautiful theme; port of the Beautiful Jekyll theme.
Use case(s): Full-featured sites, Blogging, Portfolio
Author: halogenica Minimum Hugo version: 0.48
Github stars: 911
Last updated: 2021-01-06
License: MIT
hello-friend
A simple theme with everything you need to start a new project.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: panr
Minimum Hugo version: 0.74
Github stars: 828
Last updated: 2022-03-31
License: MIT
Download hello-friend theme for Hugo
Tranquilpeak
A gorgeous and responsive theme for blogging.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: Thibaud Leprêtre
Minimum Hugo version: 0.53
Github stars: 796
Last updated: 2021-10-06
License: GNU General Public License v3.0
Download Tranquilpeak theme for Hugo
Jane
A readable and concise theme.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: xianmin
Minimum Hugo version: 0.45
Github stars: 751
Last updated: 2022-04-07
License: MIT
Ananke
A solid starting place for Hugo sites with basic features, including best practices for performance, accessibility, and rapid development.
Use case(s): Full featured sites
Author: theNewDynamic Minimum Hugo version: 0.84.0
Github stars: 733
Last updated: 2022-05-07
License: MIT
Download Ananke theme for Hugo
MemE
A powerful and highly customizable theme for personal blogs, focusing on elegance, simplicity, and code correctness.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: reuixiy
Minimum Hugo version: 0.62.2
Github stars: 710
Last updated: 2022-05-07
License: MIT
Mainroad
A responsive, simple, clean, and content-focused theme, based on the MH Magazine lite WordPress theme.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: Vimux
Minimum Hugo version: 0.48
Github stars: 659
Last updated: 2022-04-01
License: GPL v2
Download Mainroad theme for Hugo
Eureka
A feature-rich and highly customizable theme.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: C. Wang R. Ma
Minimum Hugo version: 0.74.0
Github stars: 647
Last updated: 2022-04-12
License: Apache-2.0
Download Eureka theme for Hugo
Zzo
A feature-rich blogging theme.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: zzossig
Minimum Hugo version: 0.65.0
Github stars: 611
Last updated: 2021-05-24
License: MIT
Universal
A clean and stylish website template ported from Bootstrap, which stands out with its clean design and elegant typography.
Use case(s): Full featured sites
Author: devcows
Minimum Hugo version: 0.15
Github stars: 571
Last updated: 2022-05-10
License: MIT
Download Universal theme for Hugo
Introduction
A minimal, single page, smooth scrolling theme.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: Victoria Drake
Minimum Hugo version: 0.49
Github stars: 539
Last updated: 2022-02-23
License: Apache-2.0
Download Introduction theme for Hugo
Toha
A theme for a personal portfolio with minimalist design and responsiveness.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: Emruz Hossain
Minimum Hugo version: 0.87.0
Github stars: 539
Last updated: 2022-05-12
License: MIT
mini
A fast, minimalist and responsive theme for bloggers.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: nodejh
Minimum Hugo version: 0.75.0
Github stars: 516
Last updated: 2022-05-12
License: MIT
Minimo
A minimalist theme that keeps the focus on your content.
Use case(s): Blogging
Author: Munif Tanjim
Minimum Hugo version: 0.73
Github stars: 513
Last updated: 2021-10-06
License: MIT
Download Minimo theme for Hugo
reveal-hugo
A theme that allows you to create rich HTML-based presentations with Hugo and Reveal.js.
Use case(s): Reveal.js presentations
Author: Josh Dzielak
Github stars: 486
Last updated: 2022-05-16
License: MIT
Download reveal-hugo theme for Hugo
Hyde
A brazen two-column theme based on the Jekyll theme of the same name. It pairs a prominent sidebar with uncomplicated content.
Use case(s): Blogging
Author: spf13
Minimum Hugo version: 0.53
Github stars: 483
Last updated: 2021-04-02
License: MIT
Anatole
A beautiful minimalist two-column theme based on farbox-theme-Anatole.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: Alexander Bilz
Minimum Hugo version: 0.53.0
Github stars: 476
Last updated: 2022-05-14
License: MIT
Download Anatole theme for Hugo
Archie
A minimal and clean theme with a “markdown-ish” UI.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: Athul Cyriac Ajay
Minimum Hugo version: 0.41
Github stars: 453
Last updated: 2022-03-04
License: MIT
Download Archie theme for Hugo
XMin
An “eXtremely Minimal” theme: about 150 lines of code in total, including HTML and CSS.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: Yihui Xie
Minimum Hugo version: 0.18
Github stars: 453
Last updated: 2022-01-20
License: MIT
Clean White
A clean, elegant blog theme.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: Huabing Zhao
Minimum Hugo version: 0.1
Github stars: 429
Last updated: 2022-05-07
License: Apache-2.0
Download Clean White theme for Hugo
LeaveIt
A clean, elegant, and simple — but not simpler — blog theme.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: LiuZhichao
Minimum Hugo version: 0.41
Github stars: 386
Last updated: 2018-11-05
License: MIT
Download LeaveIt theme for Hugo
Minimal
A minimal personal blog theme.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: Calin Tataru
Minimum Hugo version: 0.24.1
Github stars: 384
Last updated: 2021-01-04
License: MIT
Download Minimal theme for Hugo
Call me Sam.
A simple and minimalist theme, focused on content and typography.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: Victoria Drake
Minimum Hugo version: 0.49
Github stars: 382
Last updated: 2022-05-01
License: Apache-2.0
Download Call me Sam. theme for Hugo
Hugo Fresh
Adapted from the gorgeous, Bulma-based theme of the same name from CSS Ninja.
Use case(s): Full featured sites
Author: Stefan M.
Minimum Hugo version: 0.45
Github stars: 376
Last updated: 2022-03-04
License: MIT
Creative portfolio
A clean and elegant template ported from Bootstrapious.
Use case(s): Portfolio
Author: Kishan B
Minimum Hugo version: 0.2
Github stars: 364
Last updated: 2022-05-05
License: MIT
Download Creative portfolio theme for Hugo
Clarity
A theme based on VMware’s Clarity Design System for publishing technical blogs.
Use case(s): Blogging
Author: Chip Zoller and Dan Weru
Minimum Hugo version: 0.63.0
Github stars: 362
Last updated: 2022-05-15
License: MIT
Download Clarity theme for Hugo
Cactus
A clean and responsive theme for personal blogging, forked from the Hexo theme Cactus.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: Zeran Wu
Minimum Hugo version: 0.55
Github stars: 359
Last updated: 2021-09-01
License: MIT
Download Cactus theme for Hugo
Yinyang
A minimalist black-and-white theme.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: Joway Wang
Minimum Hugo version: 0.50
Github stars: 338
Last updated: 2022-04-28
License: MIT
Download Yinyang theme for Hugo
Ink
A crisp and minimal personal website and blog theme.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: Kailash Nadh
Minimum Hugo version: 0.37
Github stars: 321
Last updated: 2022-01-09
License: MIT
Diary
A simple and elegant blog theme, ported from the Hexo theme Journal.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: amazingrise
Minimum Hugo version: 0.59
Github stars: 316
Last updated: 2022-05-16
License: MIT
Hugo Future Imperfect
A responsive theme tailored for blogging, and ported — with added features — from HTML5 UP’s theme of the same name.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: Julio Pescador
Minimum Hugo version: 0.15
Github stars: 312
Last updated: 2018-02-28
License: MIT
Download Hugo Future Imperfect theme
Geekdoc
A simple theme for documentation, intentionally designed to be fast and lean.
Use case(s): Documentation
Author: Robert Kaussow
Minimum Hugo version: 0.83
Github stars: 309
Last updated: 2022-05-12
License: MIT
Download Geekdoc theme for Hugo
m10c
A responsive and minimalistic (m10c) theme for bloggers.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: vaga
Minimum Hugo version: 0.55
Github stars: 308
Last updated: 2021-03-09
License: MIT
Hugo Future Imperfect Slim
A slimmed-down version of Hugo Future Imperfect, modernized with CSS Grid and modern Hugo functions.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: Patrick Collins
Github stars: 300
Last updated: 2021-11-06
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported
Download Hugo Future Imperfect Slim theme
Blackburn
A clear and responsive theme constructed using Yahoo’s Pure CSS (v1.0.0).
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: Yoshiharu Yamashita
Minimum Hugo version: 0.15
Github stars: 296
Last updated: 2021-10-15
License: MIT
Notepadium
A theme built for speed — 100% JavaScript-free.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: lvv
Minimum Hugo version: 0.60.0
Github stars: 296
Last updated: 2021-12-28
License: MIT
Codex
A minimalist blog theme with KaTex support for mathematical notations.
Use case(s): Blogging, Portfolio
Author: Jake Wiesler
Minimum Hugo version: 0.82
Github stars: 292
Last updated: 2021-07-27
License: MIT
Takeaways for Hugo theme designers
In short, blogging isn’t dead, and less is more. Most of these themes are for personal blogging or portfolios, with few notable exceptions — a couple of documentation themes, and several full-featured site themes. Why? Probably for a few reasons: there are simply more personal site themes around; professional (full featured) site themes are less likely to be offered publicly on GitHub; and many developers frequently refresh their personal sites, meaning they’re likely to star multiple theme projects.
Use cases aside, you’ll notice that the majority of these top themes are minimalist, with well defined color palettes and simple layouts. Typography clearly matters to GitHub users, as does spacing between page elements.
Where to from here?
Once you’ve selected your theme, CloudCannon’s CMS for Hugo will take all the pain out of adding and editing content. And with our open-source component browser Bookshop, you’ll be ready to offer instant live editing on the page. (You can read the Hugo Bookshop Reference Guide for prerequisites and a full guide to getting set up.)
Top comments (1)
A bunch of these themes get outdated, is there a theme to write blog that is well maintained and has a community behind it?