How do you find a website’s root directory on a hosting account?

The document root is the directory the web server uses for a domain. Files placed there can be served through that domain, subject to server rules. In cPanel, open the Domains section and look for the document root listed beside the domain. This is more reliable than assuming every site uses the same folder.

The primary domain often points to public_html, while addon domains and subdomains may use folders inside or beside it. Some managed platforms use a different directory structure, and a custom server can point the domain almost anywhere. The correct folder should contain the application’s entry file, such as index.php or index.html.

For WordPress, the root usually contains wp-admin, wp-content, wp-includes, wp-config.php, and the main index file. A configuration can place WordPress core in a subdirectory, so confirm the site’s URL settings and server configuration before moving anything. Editing a similarly named backup or staging folder will not change the live site.

Create a backup before changing root files. If several domains share the account, note each mapping to prevent an upload to the wrong site. When the panel does not show the path clearly, ask hosting support to identify the active document root and whether a symlink, deployment system, or reverse proxy changes the visible structure.