A variable product is one listing where the buyer picks an option before adding it to their cart, such as a size or a color. Each choice is called a variation, and each variation can have its own price, photo, and stock.

Example: a T-shirt that comes in Small and Large is one variable product with two variations.

If the buyer doesn't choose anything, use a simple product instead. See How to list a simple product.

Before you start

• Know your options, for example Size: Small, Large.
• Have a photo and a price ready for each option.
• Weigh and measure the item packed for shipping.

Step 1: Start the product and set it to Draft

Go to Products and click Add new product. Fill in the Title, Categories, and Description the same way you would for a simple product. Then:

1. Set Product Type to Variable (1). The main Price box goes away, because each variation gets its own price.
2. In the right column, set Status to Draft (2).

A new product starts out set to Publish, and the Save Attributes button in Step 2 saves your whole product. Choosing Draft first keeps a half-finished listing from going live while you work.

Step 2: Add the options buyers will choose from

Scroll down to Attributes. Click Add existing attribute or custom, pick a ready-made attribute such as Adult Size or Color, and click Add New. In the new row (1):

1. Click the Value(s) box (2) and pick each option you sell, such as S and 2XL. Select all picks every option on the list.
2. Check Used for variations (3). This box starts unchecked. Without it, buyers won't be able to choose.
3. Click Save Attributes (4). You'll see "Product saved successfully."

Leave Visible on the product page checked. Default Form Values is optional. It picks an option for the buyer ahead of time.

No ready-made attribute that fits? Make your own. In the Add existing attribute or custom box, choose Custom Attribute, then click Add New. In the new row:

1. In Name, delete the words "Custom Attribute" and type your own name, such as Size or Scent. Buyers see this name on your product page.
2. In Value(s), type an option and press Enter. It turns into a small gray tag. Do this once for each option, such as Small and Large.
3. Check Used for variations, then click Save Attributes.

Using more than one custom attribute? Give each one its own name before you save, such as Size and Color.

Step 3: Create the variations

A Variations area now shows up under Attributes.

1. Click the Bulk actions box (1) and choose Create variations from all attributes.
2. Click Go (2).
3. A box asks "Are you sure you want to generate variations? This will overwrite existing variations." Click OK.

You'll get one row for every combination. Two sizes in two colors makes four rows. Each row is labeled with a number, like # 28326. To add just one variation by hand, choose Add variation instead.

Step 4: Fill in each variation

Click a variation's row to open it, then fill in:

1. The option boxes (1) at the top. Check that they show the right choice, such as S and Black.
2. The photo (2). When a buyer picks this option, this photo replaces the main photo.
3. Price (3). Without a price, buyers can't choose this option. Sale Price is optional.
4. Stock Status (4), or check Manage stock? to count stock for this option.

Leave Enabled checked. A variation that isn't enabled can't be bought.

Scroll down inside the same variation and finish it:

1. Weight and size (1): only if this option is bigger or heavier than the others. Leave a box blank to use the number from the main Shipping section, and never type 0.
2. Description (2): required. One short line is enough, such as "Small, black."
3. Click Save Variation (3). Every variation has its own Save Variation button, so save each one before moving to the next.

Step 5: Set prices or sizes for all variations at once

Bulk actions can save you a lot of typing. Choose an action, click Go, and type the value when asked:

• Set regular prices: the same price for every variation.
• Set sale prices: put every variation on sale.
• Weight, Length, Width, and Height: the same shipping size for every variation.
• Toggle "Manage stock" and Stock: turn on stock counting and set the count for all.

Step 6: Add shipping details

In the main Shipping section of the product, fill in Weight (lbs), Length (in), Width (in), and Height (in) for the packed item. Every variation uses these unless you typed different numbers inside a variation.

Don't skip this. BlackSpace won't publish a variable product until it has a weight and all three measurements, either here or in every variation. They also decide what buyers pay for shipping.

For how to measure and weigh the packed item, see How to measure and weigh your products for shipping.

If you deliver this product yourself and never ship it, check Local delivery only in the same section instead. It doesn't need a weight or measurements. See How to set up your shipping to turn on Local Delivery first.

Step 7: Publish

When every variation has a price, photo, and description, set Status to Publish, leave Visibility on Visible, and click the button at the top right (Save Changes or Update Product).

Good to know

• Shipping class and tax class aren't set inside a variation. Each variation has its own Taxability Information Code (TIC) box. See How to set tax on my product.
• Every SKU on BlackSpace must be different, including the SKU on each variation.
• Variations show 10 at a time. Use Next at the bottom of the list to see the rest.