Title: map_meta_cap
Published: April 25, 2014
Last modified: May 20, 2026
---
# map_meta_cap( string $cap, int $user_id, mixed $args ): string[]
## In this article
* [Description](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/map_meta_cap/?output_format=md#description)
* [Parameters](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/map_meta_cap/?output_format=md#parameters)
* [Return](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/map_meta_cap/?output_format=md#return)
* [Source](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/map_meta_cap/?output_format=md#source)
* [Hooks](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/map_meta_cap/?output_format=md#hooks)
* [Related](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/map_meta_cap/?output_format=md#related)
* [Changelog](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/map_meta_cap/?output_format=md#changelog)
[ Back to top](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/map_meta_cap/?output_format=md#wp--skip-link--target)
Maps a capability to the primitive capabilities required of the given user to satisfy
the capability being checked.
## [Description](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/map_meta_cap/?output_format=md#description)
This function also accepts an ID of an object to map against if the capability is
a meta capability. Meta capabilities such as `edit_post` and `edit_user` are capabilities
used by this function to map to primitive capabilities that a user or role requires,
such as `edit_posts` and `edit_others_posts`.
Example usage:
```php
map_meta_cap( 'edit_posts', $user->ID );
map_meta_cap( 'edit_post', $user->ID, $post->ID );
map_meta_cap( 'edit_post_meta', $user->ID, $post->ID, $meta_key );
```
This function does not check whether the user has the required capabilities, it
just returns what the required capabilities are.
## [Parameters](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/map_meta_cap/?output_format=md#parameters)
`$cap`stringrequired
Capability being checked.
`$user_id`intrequired
User ID.
`$args`mixedoptional
Optional further parameters, typically starting with an object ID.
## [Return](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/map_meta_cap/?output_format=md#return)
string[] Primitive capabilities required of the user.
## [Source](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/map_meta_cap/?output_format=md#source)
```php
function map_meta_cap( $cap, $user_id, ...$args ) {
$caps = array();
switch ( $cap ) {
case 'remove_user':
// In multisite the user must be a super admin to remove themselves.
if ( isset( $args[0] ) && $user_id === (int) $args[0] && ! is_super_admin( $user_id ) ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
} else {
$caps[] = 'remove_users';
}
break;
case 'promote_user':
case 'add_users':
$caps[] = 'promote_users';
break;
case 'edit_user':
case 'edit_users':
// Non-existent users can't edit users, not even themselves.
if ( $user_id < 1 ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
break;
}
// Allow user to edit themselves.
if ( 'edit_user' === $cap && isset( $args[0] ) && $user_id === (int) $args[0] ) {
break;
}
// In multisite the user must have manage_network_users caps. If editing a super admin, the user must be a super admin.
if ( is_multisite() && ( ( ! is_super_admin( $user_id ) && 'edit_user' === $cap && is_super_admin( $args[0] ) ) || ! user_can( $user_id, 'manage_network_users' ) ) ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
} else {
$caps[] = 'edit_users'; // edit_user maps to edit_users.
}
break;
case 'delete_post':
case 'delete_page':
if ( ! isset( $args[0] ) ) {
if ( 'delete_post' === $cap ) {
/* translators: %s: Capability name. */
$message = __( 'When checking for the %s capability, you must always check it against a specific post.' );
} else {
/* translators: %s: Capability name. */
$message = __( 'When checking for the %s capability, you must always check it against a specific page.' );
}
_doing_it_wrong(
__FUNCTION__,
sprintf( $message, '' . $cap . '' ),
'6.1.0'
);
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
break;
}
$post = get_post( $args[0] );
if ( ! $post ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
break;
}
if ( 'revision' === $post->post_type ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
break;
}
if ( (int) get_option( 'page_for_posts' ) === $post->ID
|| (int) get_option( 'page_on_front' ) === $post->ID
) {
$caps[] = 'manage_options';
break;
}
$post_type = get_post_type_object( $post->post_type );
if ( ! $post_type ) {
/* translators: 1: Post type, 2: Capability name. */
$message = __( 'The post type %1$s is not registered, so it may not be reliable to check the capability %2$s against a post of that type.' );
_doing_it_wrong(
__FUNCTION__,
sprintf(
$message,
'' . $post->post_type . '',
'' . $cap . ''
),
'4.4.0'
);
$caps[] = 'edit_others_posts';
break;
}
if ( ! $post_type->map_meta_cap ) {
$caps[] = $post_type->cap->$cap;
// Prior to 3.1 we would re-call map_meta_cap here.
if ( 'delete_post' === $cap ) {
$cap = $post_type->cap->$cap;
}
break;
}
// If the post author is set and the user is the author...
if ( $post->post_author && $user_id === (int) $post->post_author ) {
// If the post is published or scheduled...
if ( in_array( $post->post_status, array( 'publish', 'future' ), true ) ) {
$caps[] = $post_type->cap->delete_published_posts;
} elseif ( 'trash' === $post->post_status ) {
$status = get_post_meta( $post->ID, '_wp_trash_meta_status', true );
if ( in_array( $status, array( 'publish', 'future' ), true ) ) {
$caps[] = $post_type->cap->delete_published_posts;
} else {
$caps[] = $post_type->cap->delete_posts;
}
} else {
// If the post is draft...
$caps[] = $post_type->cap->delete_posts;
}
} else {
// The user is trying to edit someone else's post.
$caps[] = $post_type->cap->delete_others_posts;
// The post is published or scheduled, extra cap required.
if ( in_array( $post->post_status, array( 'publish', 'future' ), true ) ) {
$caps[] = $post_type->cap->delete_published_posts;
} elseif ( 'private' === $post->post_status ) {
$caps[] = $post_type->cap->delete_private_posts;
}
}
/*
* Setting the privacy policy page requires `manage_privacy_options`,
* so deleting it should require that too.
*/
if ( (int) get_option( 'wp_page_for_privacy_policy' ) === $post->ID ) {
$caps = array_merge( $caps, map_meta_cap( 'manage_privacy_options', $user_id ) );
}
break;
/*
* edit_post breaks down to edit_posts, edit_published_posts, or
* edit_others_posts.
*/
case 'edit_post':
case 'edit_page':
if ( ! isset( $args[0] ) ) {
if ( 'edit_post' === $cap ) {
/* translators: %s: Capability name. */
$message = __( 'When checking for the %s capability, you must always check it against a specific post.' );
} else {
/* translators: %s: Capability name. */
$message = __( 'When checking for the %s capability, you must always check it against a specific page.' );
}
_doing_it_wrong(
__FUNCTION__,
sprintf( $message, '' . $cap . '' ),
'6.1.0'
);
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
break;
}
$post = get_post( $args[0] );
if ( ! $post ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
break;
}
if ( 'revision' === $post->post_type ) {
$post = get_post( $post->post_parent );
if ( ! $post ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
break;
}
}
$post_type = get_post_type_object( $post->post_type );
if ( ! $post_type ) {
/* translators: 1: Post type, 2: Capability name. */
$message = __( 'The post type %1$s is not registered, so it may not be reliable to check the capability %2$s against a post of that type.' );
_doing_it_wrong(
__FUNCTION__,
sprintf(
$message,
'' . $post->post_type . '',
'' . $cap . ''
),
'4.4.0'
);
$caps[] = 'edit_others_posts';
break;
}
if ( ! $post_type->map_meta_cap ) {
$caps[] = $post_type->cap->$cap;
// Prior to 3.1 we would re-call map_meta_cap here.
if ( 'edit_post' === $cap ) {
$cap = $post_type->cap->$cap;
}
break;
}
// If the post author is set and the user is the author...
if ( $post->post_author && $user_id === (int) $post->post_author ) {
// If the post is published or scheduled...
if ( in_array( $post->post_status, array( 'publish', 'future' ), true ) ) {
$caps[] = $post_type->cap->edit_published_posts;
} elseif ( 'trash' === $post->post_status ) {
$status = get_post_meta( $post->ID, '_wp_trash_meta_status', true );
if ( in_array( $status, array( 'publish', 'future' ), true ) ) {
$caps[] = $post_type->cap->edit_published_posts;
} else {
$caps[] = $post_type->cap->edit_posts;
}
} else {
// If the post is draft...
$caps[] = $post_type->cap->edit_posts;
}
} else {
// The user is trying to edit someone else's post.
$caps[] = $post_type->cap->edit_others_posts;
// The post is published or scheduled, extra cap required.
if ( in_array( $post->post_status, array( 'publish', 'future' ), true ) ) {
$caps[] = $post_type->cap->edit_published_posts;
} elseif ( 'private' === $post->post_status ) {
$caps[] = $post_type->cap->edit_private_posts;
}
}
/*
* Setting the privacy policy page requires `manage_privacy_options`,
* so editing it should require that too.
*/
if ( (int) get_option( 'wp_page_for_privacy_policy' ) === $post->ID ) {
$caps = array_merge( $caps, map_meta_cap( 'manage_privacy_options', $user_id ) );
}
break;
case 'read_post':
case 'read_page':
if ( ! isset( $args[0] ) ) {
if ( 'read_post' === $cap ) {
/* translators: %s: Capability name. */
$message = __( 'When checking for the %s capability, you must always check it against a specific post.' );
} else {
/* translators: %s: Capability name. */
$message = __( 'When checking for the %s capability, you must always check it against a specific page.' );
}
_doing_it_wrong(
__FUNCTION__,
sprintf( $message, '' . $cap . '' ),
'6.1.0'
);
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
break;
}
$post = get_post( $args[0] );
if ( ! $post ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
break;
}
if ( 'revision' === $post->post_type ) {
$post = get_post( $post->post_parent );
if ( ! $post ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
break;
}
}
$post_type = get_post_type_object( $post->post_type );
if ( ! $post_type ) {
/* translators: 1: Post type, 2: Capability name. */
$message = __( 'The post type %1$s is not registered, so it may not be reliable to check the capability %2$s against a post of that type.' );
_doing_it_wrong(
__FUNCTION__,
sprintf(
$message,
'' . $post->post_type . '',
'' . $cap . ''
),
'4.4.0'
);
$caps[] = 'edit_others_posts';
break;
}
if ( ! $post_type->map_meta_cap ) {
$caps[] = $post_type->cap->$cap;
// Prior to 3.1 we would re-call map_meta_cap here.
if ( 'read_post' === $cap ) {
$cap = $post_type->cap->$cap;
}
break;
}
$status_obj = get_post_status_object( get_post_status( $post ) );
if ( ! $status_obj ) {
/* translators: 1: Post status, 2: Capability name. */
$message = __( 'The post status %1$s is not registered, so it may not be reliable to check the capability %2$s against a post with that status.' );
_doing_it_wrong(
__FUNCTION__,
sprintf(
$message,
'' . get_post_status( $post ) . '',
'' . $cap . ''
),
'5.4.0'
);
$caps[] = 'edit_others_posts';
break;
}
if ( $status_obj->public ) {
$caps[] = $post_type->cap->read;
break;
}
if ( $post->post_author && $user_id === (int) $post->post_author ) {
$caps[] = $post_type->cap->read;
} elseif ( $status_obj->private ) {
$caps[] = $post_type->cap->read_private_posts;
} else {
$caps = map_meta_cap( 'edit_post', $user_id, $post->ID );
}
break;
case 'publish_post':
if ( ! isset( $args[0] ) ) {
/* translators: %s: Capability name. */
$message = __( 'When checking for the %s capability, you must always check it against a specific post.' );
_doing_it_wrong(
__FUNCTION__,
sprintf( $message, '' . $cap . '' ),
'6.1.0'
);
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
break;
}
$post = get_post( $args[0] );
if ( ! $post ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
break;
}
$post_type = get_post_type_object( $post->post_type );
if ( ! $post_type ) {
/* translators: 1: Post type, 2: Capability name. */
$message = __( 'The post type %1$s is not registered, so it may not be reliable to check the capability %2$s against a post of that type.' );
_doing_it_wrong(
__FUNCTION__,
sprintf(
$message,
'' . $post->post_type . '',
'' . $cap . ''
),
'4.4.0'
);
$caps[] = 'edit_others_posts';
break;
}
$caps[] = $post_type->cap->publish_posts;
break;
case 'edit_post_meta':
case 'delete_post_meta':
case 'add_post_meta':
case 'edit_comment_meta':
case 'delete_comment_meta':
case 'add_comment_meta':
case 'edit_term_meta':
case 'delete_term_meta':
case 'add_term_meta':
case 'edit_user_meta':
case 'delete_user_meta':
case 'add_user_meta':
$object_type = explode( '_', $cap )[1];
if ( ! isset( $args[0] ) ) {
if ( 'post' === $object_type ) {
/* translators: %s: Capability name. */
$message = __( 'When checking for the %s capability, you must always check it against a specific post.' );
} elseif ( 'comment' === $object_type ) {
/* translators: %s: Capability name. */
$message = __( 'When checking for the %s capability, you must always check it against a specific comment.' );
} elseif ( 'term' === $object_type ) {
/* translators: %s: Capability name. */
$message = __( 'When checking for the %s capability, you must always check it against a specific term.' );
} else {
/* translators: %s: Capability name. */
$message = __( 'When checking for the %s capability, you must always check it against a specific user.' );
}
_doing_it_wrong(
__FUNCTION__,
sprintf( $message, '' . $cap . '' ),
'6.1.0'
);
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
break;
}
$object_id = (int) $args[0];
$object_subtype = get_object_subtype( $object_type, $object_id );
if ( empty( $object_subtype ) ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
break;
}
$caps = map_meta_cap( "edit_{$object_type}", $user_id, $object_id );
$meta_key = $args[1] ?? false;
if ( $meta_key ) {
$allowed = ! is_protected_meta( $meta_key, $object_type );
if ( has_filter( "auth_{$object_type}_meta_{$meta_key}_for_{$object_subtype}" ) ) {
/**
* Filters whether the user is allowed to edit a specific meta key of a specific object type and subtype.
*
* The dynamic portions of the hook name, `$object_type`, `$meta_key`,
* and `$object_subtype`, refer to the metadata object type (comment, post, term or user),
* the meta key value, and the object subtype respectively.
*
* @since 4.9.8
*
* @param bool $allowed Whether the user can add the object meta. Default false.
* @param string $meta_key The meta key.
* @param int $object_id Object ID.
* @param int $user_id User ID.
* @param string $cap Capability name.
* @param string[] $caps Array of the user's capabilities.
*/
$allowed = apply_filters( "auth_{$object_type}_meta_{$meta_key}_for_{$object_subtype}", $allowed, $meta_key, $object_id, $user_id, $cap, $caps );
} else {
/**
* Filters whether the user is allowed to edit a specific meta key of a specific object type.
*
* Return true to have the mapped meta caps from `edit_{$object_type}` apply.
*
* The dynamic portion of the hook name, `$object_type` refers to the object type being filtered.
* The dynamic portion of the hook name, `$meta_key`, refers to the meta key passed to map_meta_cap().
*
* @since 3.3.0 As `auth_post_meta_{$meta_key}`.
* @since 4.6.0
*
* @param bool $allowed Whether the user can add the object meta. Default false.
* @param string $meta_key The meta key.
* @param int $object_id Object ID.
* @param int $user_id User ID.
* @param string $cap Capability name.
* @param string[] $caps Array of the user's capabilities.
*/
$allowed = apply_filters( "auth_{$object_type}_meta_{$meta_key}", $allowed, $meta_key, $object_id, $user_id, $cap, $caps );
}
/**
* Filters whether the user is allowed to edit meta for specific object types/subtypes.
*
* Return true to have the mapped meta caps from `edit_{$object_type}` apply.
*
* The dynamic portion of the hook name, `$object_type` refers to the object type being filtered.
* The dynamic portion of the hook name, `$object_subtype` refers to the object subtype being filtered.
* The dynamic portion of the hook name, `$meta_key`, refers to the meta key passed to map_meta_cap().
*
* @since 4.6.0 As `auth_post_{$post_type}_meta_{$meta_key}`.
* @since 4.7.0 Renamed from `auth_post_{$post_type}_meta_{$meta_key}` to
* `auth_{$object_type}_{$object_subtype}_meta_{$meta_key}`.
* @deprecated 4.9.8 Use 'auth_{$object_type_meta_{$meta_key}_for_{$object_subtype}'} instead.
*
* @param bool $allowed Whether the user can add the object meta. Default false.
* @param string $meta_key The meta key.
* @param int $object_id Object ID.
* @param int $user_id User ID.
* @param string $cap Capability name.
* @param string[] $caps Array of the user's capabilities.
*/
$allowed = apply_filters_deprecated(
"auth_{$object_type}_{$object_subtype}_meta_{$meta_key}",
array( $allowed, $meta_key, $object_id, $user_id, $cap, $caps ),
'4.9.8',
"auth_{$object_type}_meta_{$meta_key}_for_{$object_subtype}"
);
if ( ! $allowed ) {
$caps[] = $cap;
}
}
break;
case 'edit_comment':
if ( ! isset( $args[0] ) ) {
/* translators: %s: Capability name. */
$message = __( 'When checking for the %s capability, you must always check it against a specific comment.' );
_doing_it_wrong(
__FUNCTION__,
sprintf( $message, '' . $cap . '' ),
'6.1.0'
);
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
break;
}
$comment = get_comment( $args[0] );
if ( ! $comment ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
break;
}
$post = get_post( $comment->comment_post_ID );
/*
* If the post doesn't exist, we have an orphaned comment.
* Fall back to the edit_posts capability, instead.
*/
if ( $post ) {
$caps = map_meta_cap( 'edit_post', $user_id, $post->ID );
} else {
$caps = map_meta_cap( 'edit_posts', $user_id );
}
break;
case 'unfiltered_upload':
if ( defined( 'ALLOW_UNFILTERED_UPLOADS' ) && ALLOW_UNFILTERED_UPLOADS && ( ! is_multisite() || is_super_admin( $user_id ) ) ) {
$caps[] = $cap;
} else {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
}
break;
case 'edit_css':
case 'unfiltered_html':
// Disallow unfiltered_html for all users, even admins and super admins.
if ( defined( 'DISALLOW_UNFILTERED_HTML' ) && DISALLOW_UNFILTERED_HTML ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
} elseif ( is_multisite() && ! is_super_admin( $user_id ) ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
} else {
$caps[] = 'unfiltered_html';
}
break;
case 'edit_files':
case 'edit_plugins':
case 'edit_themes':
// Disallow the file editors.
if ( defined( 'DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT' ) && DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
} elseif ( ! wp_is_file_mod_allowed( 'capability_edit_themes' ) ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
} elseif ( is_multisite() && ! is_super_admin( $user_id ) ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
} else {
$caps[] = $cap;
}
break;
case 'update_plugins':
case 'delete_plugins':
case 'install_plugins':
case 'upload_plugins':
case 'update_themes':
case 'delete_themes':
case 'install_themes':
case 'upload_themes':
case 'update_core':
/*
* Disallow anything that creates, deletes, or updates core, plugin, or theme files.
* Files in uploads are excepted.
*/
if ( ! wp_is_file_mod_allowed( 'capability_update_core' ) ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
} elseif ( is_multisite() && ! is_super_admin( $user_id ) ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
} elseif ( 'upload_themes' === $cap ) {
$caps[] = 'install_themes';
} elseif ( 'upload_plugins' === $cap ) {
$caps[] = 'install_plugins';
} else {
$caps[] = $cap;
}
break;
case 'install_languages':
case 'update_languages':
if ( ! wp_is_file_mod_allowed( 'can_install_language_pack' ) ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
} elseif ( is_multisite() && ! is_super_admin( $user_id ) ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
} else {
$caps[] = 'install_languages';
}
break;
case 'activate_plugins':
case 'deactivate_plugins':
case 'activate_plugin':
case 'deactivate_plugin':
$caps[] = 'activate_plugins';
if ( is_multisite() ) {
// update_, install_, and delete_ are handled above with is_super_admin().
$menu_perms = get_site_option( 'menu_items', array() );
if ( empty( $menu_perms['plugins'] ) ) {
$caps[] = 'manage_network_plugins';
}
}
break;
case 'resume_plugin':
$caps[] = 'resume_plugins';
break;
case 'resume_theme':
$caps[] = 'resume_themes';
break;
case 'delete_user':
case 'delete_users':
// If multisite only super admins can delete users.
if ( is_multisite() && ! is_super_admin( $user_id ) ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
} else {
$caps[] = 'delete_users'; // delete_user maps to delete_users.
}
break;
case 'create_users':
if ( ! is_multisite() ) {
$caps[] = $cap;
} elseif ( is_super_admin( $user_id ) || get_site_option( 'add_new_users' ) ) {
$caps[] = $cap;
} else {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
}
break;
case 'manage_links':
if ( get_option( 'link_manager_enabled' ) ) {
$caps[] = $cap;
} else {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
}
break;
case 'customize':
$caps[] = 'edit_theme_options';
break;
case 'delete_site':
if ( is_multisite() ) {
$caps[] = 'manage_options';
} else {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
}
break;
case 'edit_term':
case 'delete_term':
case 'assign_term':
if ( ! isset( $args[0] ) ) {
/* translators: %s: Capability name. */
$message = __( 'When checking for the %s capability, you must always check it against a specific term.' );
_doing_it_wrong(
__FUNCTION__,
sprintf( $message, '' . $cap . '' ),
'6.1.0'
);
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
break;
}
$term_id = (int) $args[0];
$term = get_term( $term_id );
if ( ! $term || is_wp_error( $term ) ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
break;
}
$tax = get_taxonomy( $term->taxonomy );
if ( ! $tax ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
break;
}
if ( 'delete_term' === $cap
&& ( (int) get_option( 'default_' . $term->taxonomy ) === $term->term_id
|| (int) get_option( 'default_term_' . $term->taxonomy ) === $term->term_id )
) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
break;
}
$taxo_cap = $cap . 's';
$caps = map_meta_cap( $tax->cap->$taxo_cap, $user_id, $term_id );
break;
case 'manage_post_tags':
case 'edit_categories':
case 'edit_post_tags':
case 'delete_categories':
case 'delete_post_tags':
$caps[] = 'manage_categories';
break;
case 'assign_categories':
case 'assign_post_tags':
$caps[] = 'edit_posts';
break;
case 'create_sites':
case 'delete_sites':
case 'manage_network':
case 'manage_sites':
case 'manage_network_users':
case 'manage_network_plugins':
case 'manage_network_themes':
case 'manage_network_options':
case 'upgrade_network':
$caps[] = $cap;
break;
case 'setup_network':
if ( is_multisite() ) {
$caps[] = 'manage_network_options';
} else {
$caps[] = 'manage_options';
}
break;
case 'update_php':
if ( is_multisite() && ! is_super_admin( $user_id ) ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
} else {
$caps[] = 'update_core';
}
break;
case 'update_https':
if ( is_multisite() && ! is_super_admin( $user_id ) ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
} else {
$caps[] = 'manage_options';
$caps[] = 'update_core';
}
break;
case 'export_others_personal_data':
case 'erase_others_personal_data':
case 'manage_privacy_options':
$caps[] = is_multisite() ? 'manage_network' : 'manage_options';
break;
case 'create_app_password':
case 'list_app_passwords':
case 'read_app_password':
case 'edit_app_password':
case 'delete_app_passwords':
case 'delete_app_password':
$caps = map_meta_cap( 'edit_user', $user_id, $args[0] );
break;
case 'edit_block_binding':
$block_editor_context = $args[0];
if ( isset( $block_editor_context->post ) ) {
$object_id = $block_editor_context->post->ID;
}
/*
* If the post ID is null, check if the context is the site editor.
* Fall back to the edit_theme_options in that case.
*/
if ( ! isset( $object_id ) ) {
if ( ! isset( $block_editor_context->name ) || 'core/edit-site' !== $block_editor_context->name ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
break;
}
$caps = map_meta_cap( 'edit_theme_options', $user_id );
break;
}
$object_subtype = get_object_subtype( 'post', (int) $object_id );
if ( empty( $object_subtype ) ) {
$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
break;
}
$post_type_object = get_post_type_object( $object_subtype );
// Initialize empty array if it doesn't exist.
if ( ! isset( $post_type_object->capabilities ) ) {
$post_type_object->capabilities = array();
}
$post_type_capabilities = get_post_type_capabilities( $post_type_object );
$caps = map_meta_cap( $post_type_capabilities->edit_post, $user_id, $object_id );
break;
default:
// Handle meta capabilities for custom post types.
global $post_type_meta_caps;
if ( isset( $post_type_meta_caps[ $cap ] ) ) {
return map_meta_cap( $post_type_meta_caps[ $cap ], $user_id, ...$args );
}
// Block capabilities map to their post equivalent.
$block_caps = array(
'edit_blocks',
'edit_others_blocks',
'publish_blocks',
'read_private_blocks',
'delete_blocks',
'delete_private_blocks',
'delete_published_blocks',
'delete_others_blocks',
'edit_private_blocks',
'edit_published_blocks',
);
if ( in_array( $cap, $block_caps, true ) ) {
$cap = str_replace( '_blocks', '_posts', $cap );
}
// If no meta caps match, return the original cap.
$caps[] = $cap;
}
/**
* Filters the primitive capabilities required of the given user to satisfy the
* capability being checked.
*
* @since 2.8.0
*
* @param string[] $caps Primitive capabilities required of the user.
* @param string $cap Capability being checked.
* @param int $user_id The user ID.
* @param array $args Adds context to the capability check, typically
* starting with an object ID.
*/
return apply_filters( 'map_meta_cap', $caps, $cap, $user_id, $args );
}
```
[View all references](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/files/wp-includes/capabilities.php/)
[View on Trac](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/browser/tags/7.0/src/wp-includes/capabilities.php#L45)
[View on GitHub](https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/blob/7.0/src/wp-includes/capabilities.php#L45-L880)
## [Hooks](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/map_meta_cap/?output_format=md#hooks)
[apply_filters( “auth_{$object_type}_meta_{$meta_key}”, bool $allowed, string $meta_key, int $object_id, int $user_id, string $cap, string[] $caps )](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/hooks/auth_object_type_meta_meta_key/)
Filters whether the user is allowed to edit a specific meta key of a specific object
type.
[apply_filters( “auth_{$object_type}_meta_{$meta_key}_for_{$object_subtype}”, bool $allowed, string $meta_key, int $object_id, int $user_id, string $cap, string[] $caps )](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/hooks/auth_object_type_meta_meta_key_for_object_subtype/)
Filters whether the user is allowed to edit a specific meta key of a specific object
type and subtype.
[apply_filters_deprecated( “auth_{$object_type}_{$object_subtype}_meta_{$meta_key}”, bool $allowed, string $meta_key, int $object_id, int $user_id, string $cap, string[] $caps )](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/hooks/auth_object_type_object_subtype_meta_meta_key/)
Filters whether the user is allowed to edit meta for specific object types/subtypes.
[apply_filters( ‘map_meta_cap’, string[] $caps, string $cap, int $user_id, array $args )](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/hooks/map_meta_cap/)
Filters the primitive capabilities required of the given user to satisfy the capability
being checked.
## [Related](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/map_meta_cap/?output_format=md#related)
| Uses | Description |
| [get_object_subtype()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/get_object_subtype/)`wp-includes/meta.php` |
Returns the object subtype for a given object ID of a specific type.
|
| [wp_is_file_mod_allowed()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/wp_is_file_mod_allowed/)`wp-includes/load.php` |
Determines whether file modifications are allowed.
|
| [apply_filters_deprecated()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/apply_filters_deprecated/)`wp-includes/plugin.php` |
Fires functions attached to a deprecated filter hook.
|
| [is_super_admin()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/is_super_admin/)`wp-includes/capabilities.php` |
Determines whether user is a site admin.
|
| [user_can()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/user_can/)`wp-includes/capabilities.php` |
Returns whether a particular user has the specified capability.
|
| [map_meta_cap()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/map_meta_cap/)`wp-includes/capabilities.php` |
Maps a capability to the primitive capabilities required of the given user to satisfy the capability being checked.
|
| [has_filter()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/has_filter/)`wp-includes/plugin.php` |
Checks if any filter has been registered for a hook.
|
| [get_post_type_capabilities()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/get_post_type_capabilities/)`wp-includes/post.php` |
Builds an object with all post type capabilities out of a post type object
|
| [get_post_status_object()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/get_post_status_object/)`wp-includes/post.php` |
Retrieves a post status object by name.
|
| [get_post_status()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/get_post_status/)`wp-includes/post.php` |
Retrieves the post status based on the post ID.
|
| [is_protected_meta()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/is_protected_meta/)`wp-includes/meta.php` |
Determines whether a meta key is considered protected.
|
| [__()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/__/)`wp-includes/l10n.php` |
Retrieves the translation of $text.
|
| [is_multisite()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/is_multisite/)`wp-includes/load.php` |
Determines whether Multisite is enabled.
|
| [_doing_it_wrong()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/_doing_it_wrong/)`wp-includes/functions.php` |
Marks something as being incorrectly called.
|
| [get_term()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/get_term/)`wp-includes/taxonomy.php` |
Gets all term data from database by term ID.
|
| [get_taxonomy()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/get_taxonomy/)`wp-includes/taxonomy.php` |
Retrieves the taxonomy object of $taxonomy.
|
| [apply_filters()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/apply_filters/)`wp-includes/plugin.php` |
Calls the callback functions that have been added to a filter hook.
|
| [get_site_option()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/get_site_option/)`wp-includes/option.php` |
Retrieve an option value for the current network based on name of option.
|
| [get_option()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/get_option/)`wp-includes/option.php` |
Retrieves an option value based on an option name.
|
| [get_post_meta()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/get_post_meta/)`wp-includes/post.php` |
Retrieves a post meta field for the given post ID.
|
| [get_post()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/get_post/)`wp-includes/post.php` |
Retrieves post data given a post ID or post object.
|
| [get_post_type_object()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/get_post_type_object/)`wp-includes/post.php` |
Retrieves a post type object by name.
|
| [get_comment()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/get_comment/)`wp-includes/comment.php` |
Retrieves comment data given a comment ID or comment object.
|
| [is_wp_error()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/is_wp_error/)`wp-includes/load.php` |
Checks whether the given variable is a WordPress Error.
|
[Show 19 more](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/map_meta_cap/?output_format=md#)
[Show less](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/map_meta_cap/?output_format=md#)
| Used by | Description |
| [WP_Customize_Manager::grant_edit_post_capability_for_changeset()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/classes/wp_customize_manager/grant_edit_post_capability_for_changeset/)`wp-includes/class-wp-customize-manager.php` |
Re-maps ‘edit_post’ meta cap for a customize_changeset post to be the same as ‘customize’ maps.
|
| [WP_User::has_cap()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/classes/wp_user/has_cap/)`wp-includes/class-wp-user.php` |
Returns whether the user has the specified capability.
|
| [map_meta_cap()](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/map_meta_cap/)`wp-includes/capabilities.php` |
Maps a capability to the primitive capabilities required of the given user to satisfy the capability being checked.
|
## [Changelog](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/map_meta_cap/?output_format=md#changelog)
| Version | Description |
| [6.7.0](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/since/6.7.0/) | Added the `edit_block_binding` capability. |
| [5.7.0](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/since/5.7.0/) | Added the `create_app_password`, `list_app_passwords`, `read_app_password`, `edit_app_password`, `delete_app_passwords`, `delete_app_password`, and `update_https` capabilities. |
| [5.3.0](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/since/5.3.0/) | Formalized the existing and already documented `...$args` parameter by adding it to the function signature. |
| [5.2.0](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/since/5.2.0/) | Added the `resume_plugin` and `resume_theme` capabilities. |
| [5.1.0](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/since/5.1.0/) | Added the `update_php` capability. |
| [4.9.6](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/since/4.9.6/) | Added the `export_others_personal_data`, `erase_others_personal_data`, and `manage_privacy_options` capabilities. |
| [2.0.0](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/since/2.0.0/) | Introduced. |
[Show 2 more](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/map_meta_cap/?output_format=md#)
[Show less](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/map_meta_cap/?output_format=md#)
## User Contributed Notes
You must [log in](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fdeveloper.wordpress.org%2Freference%2Ffunctions%2Fmap_meta_cap%2F)
before being able to contribute a note or feedback.