WooCommerce variations: prices and availability Print

Quick answer

Use a variable product when customers choose options such as size or color and those choices need their own price, stock, SKU, or image. An attribute shown in the description is not automatically a purchasable variation.

Before you start

List the combinations you actually sell. Record price, stock ownership, images, weight, and fulfillment details for each. Work on a draft or protected copy first, especially when changing an existing live product that already has orders or integrations.

Steps

1. Open the product and select Variable product. In Attributes, add or choose the relevant attributes and their values. Enable the option that uses the attribute for variations, then save the attributes.
2. Open Variations and create the required combinations. Use automatic generation only when every generated combination is valid. A large combination matrix can create unnecessary records and confusing stock controls.
3. Expand each variation. Enter its price, availability, and any distinct SKU, image, weight, or shipping details. Decide whether stock belongs to each variation or is shared at the parent level, and avoid counting the same inventory twice.
4. Save variation changes and the product. Set sensible default selections only when appropriate. On the storefront, test each valid selection and at least one unavailable combination, then add representative variations to the cart.

Verify the result

The chosen option should produce the correct price, image, stock message, and cart description. Confirm the selected variation also appears correctly in a staging test order and in any fulfillment integration.

Troubleshooting and recovery

If a variation cannot be purchased, check that it is enabled, priced, in stock under the intended inventory policy, and included in the selected attributes. Do not regenerate or delete all variations as the first troubleshooting step. Preserve IDs used by external systems.

Related help

• Add a simple WooCommerce product and check its purchase flow
• Set WooCommerce stock and backorder rules deliberately
• Run a WooCommerce checkout test without affecting live customers

Official references

• WooCommerce variable products

Reviewed October 31, 2026. Interfaces, vendor availability, and account features can change. Check your current account before making changes.