Creating coupons & discounts
How to create coupon codes and set up discounts in WooCommerce, including percentage off, fixed amounts, and free shipping.
Coupons are a great way to reward loyal customers, run promotions, or recover abandoned carts. WooCommerce has a built-in coupon system that is flexible and easy to use.
Quick summary
Create coupons under WooCommerce → Coupons. Choose a discount type (percentage, fixed cart, or fixed product discount), set an amount, and optionally add restrictions like minimum spend or expiry dates. Share the coupon code with customers and they enter it at checkout.
What you'll need
Beginner 5 minutesCreating a coupon
Go to WooCommerce → Coupons. If you don't see Coupons in the menu, it may be under Marketing → Coupons depending on your WooCommerce version.
Click Add coupon.
Enter a coupon code. This is what customers type at checkout. Make it easy to type — all caps, no spaces (e.g., WELCOME10 or SUMMER2024). Or click Generate coupon code for a random code.
Add a description (optional). This is private — only you see it. Use it to remind yourself what the coupon is for.
Set up the discount in the General tab (see below).
Add any restrictions in the Usage restriction and Usage limits tabs.
Click Publish to activate the coupon.
Discount types
| Type | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage discount | Takes a percentage off the cart total | 10% off everything |
| Fixed cart discount | Takes a set dollar amount off the whole cart | $15 off orders |
| Fixed product discount | Takes a set amount off specific products | $5 off this product |
Choose the type in the Discount type dropdown, then enter the amount in the Coupon amount field.
Usage restrictions
Under the Usage restriction tab, you can control who can use the coupon and how.
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Minimum spend | Coupon only works on orders over a certain amount |
| Maximum spend | Coupon doesn't apply to very large orders |
| Individual use only | Can't be combined with other coupons |
| Exclude sale items | Doesn't apply to products already on sale |
| Products | Restrict to specific products |
| Exclude products | Prevent use on certain products |
| Allowed emails | Limit to specific email addresses (good for VIP offers) |
Usage limits
Under the Usage limits tab:
- Usage limit per coupon — total number of times the code can be used across all customers.
- Usage limit per user — how many times one customer can use it.
For example, setting both to 1 creates a single-use code that each customer can use once.
Free shipping coupons
To make a coupon grant free shipping:
- Set the discount type to Fixed cart discount and the amount to 0.
- Tick the Allow free shipping checkbox in the General tab.
The coupon then removes shipping costs at checkout.
Free shipping method required
Free shipping via coupon only works if you have a "Free shipping" shipping method set up in your shipping zones, with the condition set to "A valid free shipping coupon." See the guide on setting up free shipping.
Setting an expiry date
In the General tab, click the Coupon expiry date field and choose a date. After that date, the coupon stops working automatically.
Common questions
Related guides
- Understanding the checkout experience
- Setting up free shipping
- Reports and analytics
- Pricing and sales
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