Understanding variable products

Variable products allow you to offer a single item with different options, such as size, color, or material. Instead of creating separate product pages for every version of an item, you can group them together. This makes your shop easier to browse and simplifies your inventory management.

How to set up a variable product

Follow these steps to create a product with multiple options.

1. Set the product type
   In your WordPress dashboard, go to Products > Add New. Scroll down to the Product Data box and change the dropdown from "Simple product" to Variable product.

2. Define your Attributes
   Click the Attributes tab. These are the characteristics of your product (e.g., "Size" or "Color").

   • Select an existing attribute or click Add new.
   • Enter the values (e.g., Small, Medium, Large) separated by a pipe character |.
   • Important: Check the box that says Used for variations.
   • Click Save attributes.

3. Generate Variations
   Click the Variations tab.

   • Select Generate variations from the dropdown and click Go. This will automatically create every possible combination of your attributes.
   • If you only have a few, you can select Add variation to create them manually.

4. Add details for each variation
   Click on a variation to expand it. Each one needs its own information:

   • Price: You must enter a regular price for the variation to show up on your storefront.
   • Stock: You can manage stock for the whole product or for each individual variation.
   • Image: You can upload a specific photo for each version (like a red shirt vs. a blue shirt).

5. Save your changes
   Once you’ve added prices and details, click Save changes at the bottom of the data box, then Publish or Update your product page.

Practical examples

• Clothing Store: A "Classic Hoodie" product with attributes for Size (S, M, L, XL) and Color (Navy, Grey, Black).
• Coffee Roaster: A bag of beans with an attribute for Grind Type (Whole Bean, Espresso, Drip) and Weight (250g, 500g, 1kg).
• Furniture Shop: A dining table with an attribute for Wood Type (Oak, Walnut, Pine). Each wood type might have a different price.

Troubleshooting common issues

The product says "Out of Stock" or doesn’t show the options
This usually happens if a variation doesn’t have a price. WooCommerce will not display a variation on the frontend unless a price is set. Ensure every variation has a value in the Regular Price field.

The "Used for variations" box is missing
If you don’t see this checkbox in the Attributes tab, double-check that your product type is set to Variable product at the top of the data box.

Options aren’t appearing in the dropdown
Ensure you clicked Save attributes before moving to the Variations tab. If you add new attributes later, you need to generate the variations again to link them.

Bulk editing prices
If you have 20 variations and they all cost the same, you don’t have to enter the price 20 times. Use the dropdown menu in the Variations tab to select Set regular prices and click Go. This will apply one price to every variation at once.

Summary

Variable products keep your shop organized by grouping similar items under one roof. By correctly setting your attributes and ensuring every variation has a price, you provide a smooth shopping experience for your customers.

Related topics:

• [Adding images to your variations]()
• [Managing inventory for variable products]()
• [Setting up shipping classes]()