You can create a coupon code in WooCommerce without any plugin. WooCommerce has a built-in coupon system that supports percentage discounts, fixed cart and fixed product discounts, free shipping, expiry dates, minimum spend, product restrictions and usage limits. Below are the exact steps, every setting explained, real examples you can copy, how to fix coupons that don’t work and when a plugin like Advanced Coupons is worth adding.
Quick answer: To create a coupon code in WooCommerce, first turn on coupons in WooCommerce, then Settings, then General. Then go to Marketing, then Coupons, and click Add coupon. Enter the code, choose a discount type and amount, set an expiry date, add usage restrictions and limits, and click Publish. Customers enter the code at the cart or checkout.
Table of Contents
How to Enable Coupons in WooCommerce
Before you create a coupon code in WooCommerce, make sure coupons are switched on. WooCommerce has a setting that enables the coupon field on the cart and checkout pages. If it’s off, codes you create won’t work for customers, even though they appear in your admin.
Steps to Enable Coupons
- Go to WooCommerce, then Settings.
- Open the General tab.
- Under Enable coupons, tick Enable the use of coupon codes.
- Optionally tick Calculate coupon discounts sequentially if you allow more than one coupon per order.
- Click Save changes.
Where to Find Coupons
In current WooCommerce versions, coupons live under Marketing, then Coupons. Older versions placed them under WooCommerce, then Coupons. The WooCommerce coupon management guide covers both layouts.
How to Create a Coupon Code in WooCommerce
To create a coupon code in WooCommerce, add a new coupon, give it a code customers will type, choose the discount type and amount, then set restrictions and limits. Every coupon has three tabs of settings: General, Usage restriction and Usage limits. Publish it when you’re done, and it works immediately.
Steps to Add a Coupon
- Go to Marketing, then Coupons, and click Add coupon.
- Enter a code such as SAVE15, or click Generate coupon code for a random one.
- Add an optional description so your team knows what it’s for.
- In the General tab, choose the discount type and amount.
- Set an expiry date if the offer ends.
- Configure the Usage restriction and Usage limits tabs.
- Click Publish.
Discount Types Explained
| Discount type | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage discount | Takes a percentage off the cart or selected products | 15% off the order |
| Fixed cart discount | Takes a fixed amount off the whole cart | $10 off orders |
| Fixed product discount | Takes a fixed amount off each eligible product | $5 off each bag of coffee |
WooCommerce Coupon Settings Explained
WooCommerce coupon settings control who can use a code, when and how often. The General tab sets the discount, Usage restriction controls which orders and products qualify, and Usage limits control how many times the code can be used. Getting these right stops coupons from being abused or stacked.
General Tab
- Discount type and amount: percentage, fixed cart or fixed product.
- Allow free shipping: grants free shipping if you’ve set up a free shipping method that requires a coupon.
- Coupon expiry date: the code stops working after this date.
Usage Restriction Tab
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Minimum spend | Order must reach this subtotal |
| Maximum spend | Code won’t apply above this subtotal |
| Individual use only | Can’t be combined with other coupons |
| Exclude sale items | Won’t apply to products already on sale |
| Products and exclude products | Limit the code to specific items |
| Product categories and exclusions | Limit the code to categories |
| Allowed emails | Only customers with these emails can use it |
Usage Limits Tab
- Usage limit per coupon: total times the code can be used by everyone.
- Limit usage to X items: maximum number of items the discount applies to.
- Usage limit per user: how many times one customer can use it.
Create a Coupon Code in WooCommerce: Real Examples
Real examples make coupon settings easier to apply. These are setups we use on client stores for common campaigns, from welcome offers to free shipping. Copy the settings, change the code and amounts for your store, and test each one in a private browser window before you announce it.
Common Coupon Setups
| Campaign | Code | Settings |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | WELCOME10 | 10% percentage discount, individual use only, usage limit per user 1 |
| Free shipping | FREESHIP | Allow free shipping ticked, minimum spend set |
| Black Friday | BF2026 | 20% discount, exclude sale items, expiry date set |
| Product launch | NEWBLEND | Fixed product discount on one product only |
| VIP customers | VIP15 | 15% discount, allowed emails list |
| Win-back email | COMEBACK | Fixed cart discount, usage limit per user 1, short expiry |
Set Up a Free Shipping Coupon
- Go to WooCommerce, then Settings, then Shipping, and open your shipping zone.
- Add or edit a Free shipping method and set it to require A valid free shipping coupon.
- Create a coupon and tick Allow free shipping.
If you sell across states, check whether you also need to collect sales tax for selling online, since WooCommerce calculates tax after the coupon discount.
How to Create a Coupon Code in WooCommerce Automatically
WooCommerce includes a Generate coupon code button that creates a random code in one click, which is useful for unique, hard-to-guess codes. For many unique codes at once, such as one per customer in an email campaign, you need a bulk coupon generator plugin or a WooCommerce extension.
Single Random Codes
On the Add coupon screen, click Generate coupon code. WooCommerce fills in a random string you can keep or edit.
Bulk Coupon Generators
Bulk generator plugins create hundreds of unique codes with the same settings, which reduces sharing on coupon sites. Some email platforms also generate unique WooCommerce codes for each subscriber automatically.
Best WooCommerce Coupon Plugins
The built-in coupon system covers most stores, but plugins add features like automatic discounts, URL coupons, buy one get one deals and scheduled offers. Add a plugin only when you need a feature WooCommerce doesn’t have, since extra plugins add maintenance and can slow your checkout.
Popular Options
| Plugin | What it adds |
|---|---|
| Advanced Coupons for WooCommerce | BOGO deals, cart conditions, URL coupons, scheduling |
| Smart Coupons (WooCommerce extension) | Gift cards, store credit, bulk generation |
| Bulk coupon generators | Many unique codes at once |
Coupons on Other Sites
If you promote your store through deal sites, shoppers often look for coupon codes before they buy. Unique, single-use codes protect your margins when a code spreads beyond the audience you intended.
WooCommerce Coupon Not Working? Common Fixes
When a WooCommerce coupon doesn’t work, the cause is usually a setting rather than a bug. Coupons may be disabled, the code may be expired, the cart may miss the minimum spend or the products may be excluded. Check these settings before you look at plugins or themes.
Troubleshooting Checklist
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No coupon field at checkout | Coupons disabled in settings | Enable the use of coupon codes |
| “Coupon is not valid” | Typo, expired code or usage limit reached | Check the code, expiry date and limits |
| Discount not applied | Minimum spend not met or products excluded | Review usage restrictions |
| Free shipping not showing | Free shipping method doesn’t require a coupon | Edit the shipping method settings |
| Coupon field missing on custom checkout | Theme or checkout plugin removed it | Check your checkout template |
Check Your Checkout Page
Custom checkout pages and some block themes hide the coupon field. Check your checkout template, and if pages load slowly at checkout, review our picks for managed WooCommerce hosting.
How to Create a Coupon Code in WordPress Without WooCommerce
If you don’t use WooCommerce, coupons depend on your store plugin. Easy Digital Downloads, membership plugins and other ecommerce tools have their own discount code features. If you only want to display coupon codes on a blog, coupon display plugins create styled coupon boxes without handling payments.
Choosing the Right Approach
- WooCommerce store: use the built-in coupons described above.
- Digital downloads: use your download plugin’s discount codes.
- Membership or course sites: use the membership plugin’s coupon settings.
- Affiliate or deal blogs: use a coupon display plugin.
Track Coupon Results
Measure each campaign’s orders and revenue in WooCommerce reports. Weigh the discount against your margins, using the real numbers from our guide on the cost to start an ecommerce business.
FAQs
Here are answers to common questions about WooCommerce coupons.
How do I create a coupon code in WooCommerce?
Enable coupons in WooCommerce, then Settings, then General. Then go to Marketing, then Coupons, and click Add coupon. Enter a code, choose percentage, fixed cart or fixed product discount, set the amount and an expiry date, add usage restrictions and limits, and click Publish. Customers enter the code on the cart or checkout page to get the discount, and you can see every use in the coupon’s usage count.
Where are coupons in WooCommerce?
In current versions of WooCommerce, coupons are under Marketing, then Coupons in your WordPress dashboard. Older versions placed them under WooCommerce, then Coupons. If you don’t see the menu, make sure the use of coupon codes is enabled under WooCommerce, then Settings, then General, and that your user role can manage WooCommerce. Shop managers and administrators can both see the menu.
How do I add a discount code to WooCommerce?
A discount code in WooCommerce is the same as a coupon. Go to Marketing, then Coupons, click Add coupon, enter the code customers will use and set the discount. You can create percentage discounts, fixed amounts off the cart or fixed amounts off each product, plus free shipping codes. Publish it, then test it in a private browser window with a real product in the cart before you share it.
Can WooCommerce generate coupon codes automatically?
Yes, for single codes. The Add coupon screen has a Generate coupon code button that creates a random code. To create many unique codes at once, such as one per customer, use a bulk coupon generator plugin or an email platform that creates unique WooCommerce codes for each subscriber automatically when it sends a campaign. Unique codes are far harder to leak.
How do I make a coupon for free shipping in WooCommerce?
First edit your Free shipping method in WooCommerce, then Settings, then Shipping, and set it to require a valid free shipping coupon. Then create a coupon and tick Allow free shipping in the General tab. You can add a minimum spend, expiry date and usage limits to control who gets free shipping and when it applies. Test it with an address inside the right shipping zone.
How do I stop customers from sharing WooCommerce coupons?
Use usage limits and restrictions. Set a usage limit per user, a total usage limit per coupon and an expiry date. For high-value offers, restrict the code to allowed customer emails or generate unique single-use codes with a bulk generator. Excluding sale items also stops customers from stacking coupons on top of existing discounts and protects your margins during big sales.
Why is my WooCommerce coupon not working?
The most common causes are coupons being disabled in settings, an expired code, a reached usage limit, a cart below the minimum spend or excluded products in the cart. Check each setting in the coupon’s Usage restriction and Usage limits tabs. If the coupon field is missing, your theme or checkout plugin may have removed it from the page, so test with a default theme to confirm.
Do I need a plugin for WooCommerce coupons?
No. WooCommerce’s built-in coupons handle percentage and fixed discounts, free shipping, restrictions and limits. Plugins like Advanced Coupons add extras such as buy one get one deals, automatic discounts, URL coupons and scheduling. Add a plugin only when your campaign needs one of those features, since every extra plugin adds maintenance work and can slow down your checkout page for every customer.
Conclusion
You can create a coupon code in WooCommerce in a few minutes without any plugin. Turn on coupons in WooCommerce settings, add a coupon under Marketing, choose a discount type and amount, then use restrictions and limits to control who can use it and how often. Free shipping coupons need a matching free shipping method, and bulk or advanced offers may need a plugin. Once you know these settings, you can create a coupon code in WooCommerce for any campaign, from welcome offers to win-back emails.
Ben’s Black Friday codes worked exactly as planned because each one had an expiry date, excluded sale items and a per-customer limit. Test every coupon in a private browser window before announcing it, and track results in your WooCommerce reports so you know which offers bring in profitable orders. Our guide on how to add PayPal to WooCommerce is a good next step for your checkout. Which coupon will you create first?
