---
title: "Creating a Subcategory"
description: "Add subcategories to your Knowledge Base once you reach ~100 articles. Create and manage nested categories easily with two simple methods, keeping hierarchy simple."
url: "https://support.helpdocs.io/article/cyyjJILZjs-creating-subcategories"
category: "Managing Content"
updated_at: "2026-09-12T10:38:05Z"
---

# Creating a Subcategory

Most Knowledge Bases work well with just one level of categories. Customers can navigate the flat structure easily, and great search lets them find what they want in seconds.

But once your Knowledge Base reaches around 100 articles you might want to add a little more structure. That's when subcategories (also called nested categories) become useful.

The latest HelpDocs templates (since [v3next](/article/uQDebSnIrD-choosing-a-layout)) support infinitely nested subcategories. You can also implement subcategories on [custom templates](/article/l8q1fmsnx7-getting-started-with-a-custom-html-template).

While there's no technical limit, we recommend keeping your hierarchy simple so customers can find what they need quickly.

### How to Create a Subcategory

Subcategories work just like regular categories. They just appear nested on your Knowledge Base. Creating them and adding articles to them should feel completely familiar. There are two ways to create a subcategory:

#### Method 1: From the Create Category Button

[Embedded iframe](https://player.vimeo.com/video/1225984686)

1. Head to the **Content** tab and hit **Create category** in the top right
2. Enter your [metadata](/article/o6dx9pp3l1-editing-category-metadata) (title, icon, etc. as usual)
3. In the **Parent Category** dropdown, choose the category you'd like this subcategory to live in
4. Hit **Save changes**

#### Method 2: From the Parent Category

[Embedded iframe](https://player.vimeo.com/video/1225985353)

1. Head to the **Content** tab and click the ![Subcategory icon](https://files.helpdocs.io/Ytt2uahFxY/articles/cyyjJILZjs/1789140461524/sub-cat-icon.svg) **subcategory** button on the parent category
2. Enter your [metadata](/article/o6dx9pp3l1-editing-category-metadata) (title, icon, etc.)
3. Hit **Save changes**

### Other things you might like to know

Why isn't my subcategory appearing on my knowledge base? 🤔

New subcategories won't appear on your Knowledge Base until they contain a published article. Learn more in [Hidden Categories](/article/QCoovTi36j-hidden-categories).

Can I convert it back to a top-level category?

Yep! Head to the subcategory and click the **meta** icon to open its metadata. Choose **None** from the **Parent Category** dropdown and hit **Save changes**.

How can I delete the subcategory?

To delete a subcategory, follow the same process as [deleting a regular category](/article/fm08r6h25k-delete-a-category). Remember that categories must be empty before deletion. Move or delete any articles first.

How do I control the order of the subcategories?

Check out [Setting Category Display Order](/article/14R8eOCXhh-setting-category-display-order)

Can I move a subcategory to a different parent category?

Yes! Head to the subcategory and click the **meta** icon. Choose a new category from the **Parent Category** dropdown and hit **Save changes**. Any articles inside move with it automatically.