Product Options supports over 20 option types organized into categories. Each type controls how customers interact with a particular customization field on your product page.
Selection Options
These types let customers choose from predefined values you create:
Dropdown - A collapsed list that expands when clicked. Best for many choices (5+) where you want to save space on the page.
Radio Button - All choices visible at once, customer picks one. Best for 2-4 important choices you want customers to see immediately.
Checkbox - Multiple checkboxes where customers can select one or more values. Best for add-ons like gift wrapping, insurance, or multiple toppings.
Swatches - Visual selection using colors or images. Best for color options, patterns, or materials where seeing is important.
Button - Clickable buttons for each value. Best for sizes, styles, or any option where you want a clean, tappable selection.
Image Dropdown - A dropdown with image thumbnails next to each option. Best for showing visual previews while keeping a compact layout.
Color Dropdown - A dropdown with color swatches next to each option. Best for color selections where you want to combine a color preview with text labels.
Product Collection - A picker that lists every product from a Shopify collection with thumbnails and titles. Customers pick a product, then pick a variant from a cascading dropdown. The chosen variant becomes a priced add-on in the cart at its real price. Best for “build your own bundle” or “pick from this catalog” flows where you don’t want to maintain option values manually.
Text & Input Options
These types let customers enter their own values:
Text Input - Single-line text field. Best for short entries like names, initials, or short messages.
Paragraph Text - Multi-line text area. Best for longer entries like custom messages, special instructions, or dedications.
Number - Numeric input only. Best for quantities, dimensions, or other number-based entries.
Email - Validates email format. Best when you need a recipient’s email address.
Telephone - Phone number input. Best for contact information or delivery coordination.
Advanced Options
These types offer specialized input controls:
Color Picker - A full color picker with hex value output. Best for custom color selections beyond predefined swatches.
Date - Date picker calendar. Best for delivery dates, event dates, or scheduling.
Date & Time - Date and time picker. Best when you need both a date and a specific time (e.g., pickup time).
Switch / Toggle - An on/off toggle switch. Best for simple yes/no choices like “Add gift wrap?” or “Include batteries?”.
Range Slider - A slider that customers drag to select a value within a range. Best for dimensions, intensity levels, or any numeric range.
File Upload - Lets customers attach files. Best for custom artwork, photos for printing, or documents.
Image Gallery - Lets customers choose from images you’ve pre-uploaded to a gallery. Best for clip art, monogram styles, design templates, or any selection that’s better shown visually. Requires the Unlimited plan.
Display Only Options
These types don’t collect customer input — they help organize and format your option form:
Heading - Adds a section heading to visually separate groups of options.
Paragraph - Adds descriptive text or instructions between options.
Divider - Adds a horizontal line to visually separate sections.
Spacing - Adds vertical space between options.
HTML Content - Renders custom HTML content within the option form.
Other
Hidden - Not visible to customers but included in orders. Best for internal tracking, metadata, or values set by conditional logic.
Choosing the Right Type
Number of choices - Few options? Use radio buttons or buttons. Many options? Use dropdown.
Visual importance - Need to show colors/patterns? Use swatches. Need image previews? Use image gallery or image dropdown.
Free-form input - Customer provides text? Use text input types.
Validation needs - Need specific formats? Use email, telephone, or number.
File requirements - Customer uploads their own file? Use file upload. Customer picks from your images? Use image gallery.
Simple yes/no - Use switch/toggle or checkbox.