If you’re selling products that come in different options, such as a T-shirt available in multiple sizes and colors, WooCommerce makes it super easy to set them up using Product Variations.
Instead of creating separate product pages for each size and color, you can keep everything under one product and let customers pick the option they want.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what product variations are and walk through the steps to create them.
What Are WooCommerce Product Variations?#
WooCommerce product variations are created using two parts:
- Attributes: These are the defining features of a product, such as size, color, material, or flavor.
- Variations: These are the actual options within each attribute.
For example:
- The Size attribute could have options like Small, Medium, Large, XL.
- The Color attribute might have values such as Red, Blue, or Black.
Put them together, and you can sell one T-shirt in different size & color combinations, all from the same product page. Customers select what they want, and they’re good to go!
How to Create WooCommerce Product Variations#
Step 1: Create Product Attributes in WooCommerce#
The first step is to set up the attributes (like Size and Color) that you’ll later use for variations.
- In your WordPress dashboard, go to Products >> Attributes.
- Add a new attribute by giving it a Name (e.g., Size) and a Slug (e.g., size).
- Click Add attribute.
- Once it’s added, click Configure terms to add the actual options (e.g., Small, Medium, Large, XL).
- Repeat the same steps to create another attribute for Color (e.g., Red, Blue, Black).
Now you’ve got your attributes ready to go.
Step 2: Assign Attributes to a Product#
Now let’s add those attributes to your product and tell WooCommerce that this is a variable product.
- Edit any WooCommerce product, let's say T- Shirt.
- Scroll down to the Product data section.
- From the dropdown, select the Variable product type.
- Head over to the Attributes tab.
- Select the attribute you created (e.g., Size)
- Pick the values that apply (Small, Medium, Large, XL).
- Check the boxes for:
- Visible on the product page (so customers see it)
- Used for variations (so you can create product variations later)
- Click Save attributes.
- Repeat the same process for the Color attribute.
At this point, your T-shirt product now knows it has sizes and colors; it’s time to combine them into variations.
Step 3: Add Product Variations#
Here’s where the magic happens: creating the actual size + color variations.
- In the Product Data section, ensure that the Variable product option is selected.
- As soon as you select this option, a Variations tab will appear. Click on it to open the variation settings.
- You’ll see two options for creating variations:
- Generate variations: Automatically create all possible combinations from your assigned attributes.
- Add manually: Create each variation one by one, giving you full control.
- For each variation, fill in the details:
- Upload a variation image (useful if each color has a unique look).
- Set the SKU, price, and stock status.
- Add weight and dimensions, if necessary.
- Click Save changes.
- Repeat this process for all other combinations.
Pro tip: If you have many size and color combinations, using Generate variations can save a lot of time. You can always edit each variation individually afterward.
Once you’ve set up your product variations, the next step is to make them more visual and user-friendly. Instead of showing boring dropdowns, you can display them as clickable swatches.
Learn how to do this in our guide: WooCommerce Product Swatches for Bricks Builder: Overview.
Wrapping Up#
And that’s it! You’ve set up product variations in WooCommerce.
Now, instead of creating separate products for every size and color of your T-shirt, you’ve got one product page where customers can choose exactly what they want.