Table of Contents

Dynamic Pricing

Introduction

Pricing flexibility is essential for WooCommerce stores that sell customizable products. Standard WooCommerce displays fixed prices, but many businesses need prices that adjust based on customer selections, text length, or chosen options. WooCommerce dynamic pricing solves this by automatically calculating the final cost based on various conditions.

In this guide, we will explain what WooCommerce dynamic pricing is, explore the different pricing types available, and show you how to implement pricing adjustments in your WooCommerce store.

What Is WooCommerce Dynamic Pricing?

WooCommerce dynamic pricing refers to any pricing strategy where the product price changes based on customer input or selections. Instead of showing a single fixed price, products with WooCommerce dynamic pricing calculate the total cost in real-time.

WooCommerce dynamic pricing can adjust based on:

Customer selections (add-ons, upgrades, options)
Text input length (per character or per word)
Numeric values entered by customers
Percentage of the base product price
Custom formulas combining multiple factors

For example, a jewelry store might charge $0.50 per character for engraving. When a customer enters “Happy Birthday” (14 characters), the price automatically adds $7.00 to the base product cost.

Why Your Store Needs Dynamic Pricing

Accurate Cost Recovery – Custom products require varying amounts of work. A 50-character engraving costs more than a 10-character one. WooCommerce dynamic pricing ensures you charge appropriately for actual customization work.
Transparent Pricing – When prices update in real-time, customers see exactly how their choices affect the total. No surprises at checkout means higher trust and lower cart abandonment.
Increased Revenue – Add-on pricing encourages customers to enhance their purchases. When customers see that premium options add reasonable amounts, many choose to upgrade.
Simplified Management – Instead of creating multiple product variations, WooCommerce dynamic pricing lets you manage one product with flexible pricing rules.

Types of Dynamic Pricing in WooCommerce

Different pricing types serve different business needs:

Fixed Price Adjustments – The simplest form adds or subtracts a set amount based on selections.

Gift wrapping: +$5.00
Express processing: +$15.00
Basic option: -$10.00

Percentage of Product Price (Premium) – Calculates adjustments based on the base product price.

Rush processing: +15% of base price
Premium finish: +25% of base price

Price Per Character (Premium) – Charges based on text length for personalization fields.

Engraving: $0.50 per character
“Hello World” (11 characters) = $5.50 added

Price Per Character (Ignore Spaces) (Premium) – Same as above but spaces are not counted.

“Hello World” (10 characters, ignoring space) = $5.00 added

Price Per Word (Premium) – Charges based on word count for longer text.

Custom message: $2.00 per word
“Happy Birthday John” (3 words) = $6.00 added

Custom Price Formula (Premium) – Uses mathematical formulas with variables for complex pricing.

Combines character count, word count, quantity, and more
Supports conditional pricing logic

Price Per Step (Premium – Slider Field) – For slider inputs, charges based on the selected value.

Advanced Date-Based Pricing (Premium – Date Picker) – Applies different prices based on selected date ranges.

Real-World Pricing Examples

Example 1: Simple Add-On Pricing (Free)
- A gift shop offers gift wrapping as an add-on:
  - Base Product: $25.00
  - Gift Wrapping Option: +$5.00 (Fixed)
  - Total: $30.00
Example 2: Per-Character Engraving (Premium)
- A jewelry store charges per character for engraving:
  - Base Ring Price: $150.00
  - Engraving: $0.60 per character
  - Customer enters: “Forever Yours” (12 characters)
  - Engraving cost: $7.20
  - Total: $157.20
Example 3: Per-Word Custom Message (Premium)
- A card shop charges by word count:
  - Base Card Price: $10.00
  - Custom Message: $1.50 per word
  - Customer enters: “Wishing you the happiest birthday ever” (7 words)
  - Message cost: $10.50
  - Total: $20.50
Example 4: Percentage-Based Premium Option (Premium)
- A print shop offers premium paper upgrade:
  - Base Print Price: $50.00
  - Premium Paper: +20% of product price
  - Premium cost: $10.00
  - Total: $60.00
Example 5: Custom Formula Pricing (Premium)
- A t-shirt shop with tiered character pricing:
  - Formula: {ppc}>=10?[{ppc}*0.30]:[{ppc}*0.50]
    - If characters >= 10: $0.30 per character
    - If characters < 10: $0.50 per character
  - Customer enters: “Team Alpha” (9 characters, ignoring space)
  - Price: 9 × $0.50 = $4.50
Example 6: Slider-Based Pricing (Premium)
- A custom frame shop with size-based pricing:
  - Formula: {value} * 2
    - Slider value: 24 (inches)
    - Price added: $48.00

How to Set Up Dynamic Pricing

Step 1: Create Your Product Field
- Add a custom field to your product (text, select, checkbox, slider, etc.).
Step 2: Enable Pricing
- In the field settings, enable the “Enable Pricing” option.
Step 3: Select Price Type
- Choose the appropriate pricing type:
  - Fixed (Free)
  - Percentage of Product Price (Premium)
  - Price Per Character (Premium)
  - Price Per Word (Premium)
  - Custom Price Formula (Premium)
Step 4: Enter Price Value or Formula
- For fixed pricing, enter the amount (e.g., 5.00).
- For formulas, use variables like {ppc}, {ppw}, {qty}.
Step 5: Test the Configuration
- Visit the product page and test different inputs to verify pricing calculates correctly.

Understanding Pricing Formulas (Premium)

Custom Price Formulas use variables and mathematical expressions:

Available Variables
- {qty} – Product quantity
- {ppc} – Character count in text field
- {ppcis} – Character count (ignoring spaces)
- {ppw} – Word count in text field
- {ppv} – Numeric value entered
- {value} – Slider value
- {base_price} – Product base price
Example Formulas
- Per-character with multiplier:
  - {ppc}*0.50 – Each character costs $0.50.
- Tiered pricing:
  - {ppc}>=10?[{ppc}*0.30]:[{ppc}*0.50] – 10+ characters: $0.30 each, under 10: $0.50 each.
- Base fee plus per-character:
  - 5+({ppc}*0.25) – $5 setup fee plus $0.25 per character.
- Slider calculation:
  - {value}*2 – Slider value multiplied by 2.
- Complex formula:
  - {base_price}+({value}/100)+10 – Base price plus percentage of slider value plus fixed fee.

Best Practices for Dynamic Pricing

Be Transparent – Always show customers how their selections affect pricing. Display option prices clearly next to each choice.
Keep Formulas Simple – Complex pricing confuses customers. If you cannot explain your pricing easily, simplify it.
Test All Scenarios – Verify calculations work correctly for minimum values, maximum values, and typical inputs.
Show Price Breakdowns– When possible, display itemized pricing so customers understand each component.
Consider Mobile Users – Ensure WooCommerce dynamic pricing displays correctly on mobile devices.
Set Reasonable Limits – Use character limits on text fields to prevent unexpectedly high prices.

Conclusion

WooCommerce dynamic pricing transforms how you sell customizable products by automatically calculating accurate prices based on customer input. From simple fixed add-ons to complex per-character formulas, WooCommerce dynamic pricing ensures fair compensation while maintaining transparency.

Start with basic fixed pricing available in the free version, then explore advanced options like per-character pricing and custom formulas in the premium version as your needs grow.

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to commonly asked questions about our products and services.

What is WooCommerce dynamic pricing?

WooCommerce dynamic pricing automatically adjusts product prices based on customer selections or input. Instead of fixed prices, the total calculates in real-time as customers choose options, enter text, or configure their order.

Can I use dynamic pricing with the free version?

Yes, the free version supports fixed price adjustments where you can add or subtract set amounts based on customer selections. Advanced pricing types like per-character, per-word, and formula-based pricing require the premium version.

How does per-character pricing work?

Per-character pricing charges customers based on the length of text they enter. For example, if you set $0.50 per character and a customer enters “Hello” (5 characters), $2.50 is added to the product price. This is ideal for engraving, embroidery, and personalization services.

What pricing formulas can I create?

Premium users can create custom formulas using variables like {ppc} (character count), {ppw} (word count), {qty} (quantity), and {value} (slider/number value). Formulas support mathematical operations and conditional logic for complex pricing scenarios.

Will customers see price changes in real-time?

Yes, properly configured WooCommerce dynamic pricing updates the displayed price instantly as customers make selections or enter text. Customers see the total change immediately without refreshing the page.

Can I combine multiple pricing types?

Yes, you can apply different pricing types to different fields on the same product. For example, use fixed pricing for a checkbox add-on and per-character pricing for a text field on the same product.

Does dynamic pricing work with WooCommerce taxes?

Yes, WooCommerce dynamic pricing integrates with WooCommerce tax calculations. The adjusted prices follow your store’s tax configuration.

How do I charge for text but ignore spaces?

Use the “Price Per Character (Ignore Space)” option. This counts only actual characters, not spaces. “Hello World” would count as 10 characters instead of 11.

Still have a question?

If you have any other queries, feel free to reach out to us. Our knowledgeable team is here to help!

Email Us

Download Free Version

How to Add Dynamic Pricing in WooCommerce: Complete Guide 2026