How to make a variable product in WooCommerce

To add a variable product, create a new product or edit an existing one.

1. From admin dashboard , Go to: WooCommerce > Products.
2. Select the Add Product button or Edit an existing product. The Product Data displays.
3. Select Variable product from the Product Data dropdown as per screenshot attached.

Step 2. Add Attributes to Use for Variations

In the Attributes section, add attributes before creating variations — use global attributes that are site-wide or define custom ones specific to a product.

Global Attributes

To use a global attribute:

1. Create global attributes.
2. Select one from the dropdown and click Add.
3. Choose Select all to add all attributes to the variable product (if applicable).
4. Enable the Used for variations checkbox to tell WooCommerce it’s for your variations.
5. Click Save attributes buttons.

Adding a global attribute to your product.

Adding global attribute values to your product.

Custom Attributes

To add a new attribute specific to this product:

1. Select Custom product attribute and click Add.
2. Name the attribute (e.g., Size).
3. Set values separated by a vertical pipe, | (e.g., Small | Medium | Large).
4. Checked the Used for variations checkbox.
5. Click Save attributes buttons.

Adding a custom attribute to your product.

Adding custom attribute values to your product.

Step 3. Add Variations

To add a variation, go to the Variations section in the Product Data meta box.

Manually Add a Variation

1. Select Add variation from the dropdown menu, and select Go.

2. Select attributes for your variation. To change additional data, click the triangle icon to expand the variation.

3. Edit any available data. The only required field is Regular Price.
4. Click Save changes.

Creating All Possible Variations

Select Create variations from all attributes to have WooCommerce create every possible combination of variations and click Go:

It will create a new variation for each and every possible combination of variation attributes (max 50 per run). If you have more possible combinations you can run it again.

If you have two attributes – color (with values blue and green) and size (with values large and small) it creates the following variations:

• Large Blue
• Large Green
• Small Blue
• Small Green

Adding Variation Data

Each variation can have the following properties.

General

1. Enabled – Enable or disable the variation.
2. Downloadable – If this a downloadable variation.
3. Virtual – If this product isn’t physical or shipped, shipping settings are removed.
4. Regular Price (required) – Set the price for this variation.
5. Sale Price (optional) – Set a price for this variation when on sale.
6. Tax status – Taxable, shipping only, none.
7. Tax class – Tax class for this variation. Useful if you are offering variations spanning different tax bands.
8. Stock quantity – Shows if Manage stock? is selected. Allows to set the current stock level for the variation.
9. Allow backorders? – Shows if Manage stock? is selected. Allows to set if backorders are allowed for the variation; if enabled, stock can go below zero.
10. Low stock threshold – Shows if Manage stock? is selected. When the stock for the variation reaches this level you will get a notification email. If not set, the product-wide threshold will be used (see Inventory Management below).
11. Downloadable Files – Shows if Downloadable is selected. Add file(s) for customers to download.
12. Download Limit – Shows if Downloadable is selected. Set how many times a customer can download the file(s). Leave blank for unlimited.
13. Download Expiry – Shows if Downloadable is selected. Set the number of days before a download expires after purchase.

Inventory Management

Inventory for variable products can be managed on product and variation level as well.

Сhoose how to manage stock by toggling Enable stock management at product level on the Inventory tab:

The following settings are available if you choose to manage stock on a product level:

1. SKU – If you use SKUs, set the SKU or leave blank to use the product’s SKU.
2. Manage Stock? – Tick the box to manage stock at the variation level.
3. Stock Quantity – Shows if Manage Stock is selected. Input the quantity. Stock for the specific variation, or left blank to use the product’s stock settings.
4. Allow Backorders – Choose how to handle backorders.
5. Low stock threshold – When the stock for the variation reaches this level you will get a notification email.
6. Sold Individually? – Allow only one to be sold in one order. (This setting is used for the product itself. You cannot set a specific variation to only be sold once per order)

Set Stock Status can be applied to all variations at once to In stock or Out of stock. Bulk-update under Variations:

Shipping

1. Weight – Weight for the variation, or left blank to use the product’s weight.
2. Dimensions – Height, width and length for the variation, or left blank to use the product’s dimensions.
3. Shipping class – Shipping class can affect shipping. Set this if it differs from the product.

Linked Products

1. Upsells
2. Cross-sells
3. Grouped

If the SKU, weight, dimensions, and stock fields are not set, then it inherits values assigned to the variable product. Price fields must be set per variation.

Add an Image to the Variation

1. Expand the variation.
2. Click the blue image placeholder (screenshot).
3. Select the image you wish to use.
4. Save.

What Customers See Once you published the product

On the frontend, when viewing a variable product, the user is presented with dropdown boxes to select variation options. Selecting options will reveal information about the variation, including available stock and price.

In the product archive page, Add to Cart does not display because a variation must first be chosen before adding to cart on the product page.