How-to's · Shopify · 3 min read
What Is Compare-at Price in Shopify?
Short answer
In Shopify, the compare-at price is an optional field showing a product's original or regular price. When it is higher than the actual price, most themes display it crossed out with a sale badge, signaling a discount. It should only be used when the item genuinely sold at that higher price.
Crossed-out prices are one of the most familiar signals in online shopping. In Shopify, that crossed-out number comes from the compare-at price field. It is simple to use, but it is easy to misuse in ways that hurt trust or break rules.
What the compare-at price does
Every Shopify product or variant has a Price field and an optional Compare-at price field.
- If compare-at price is empty, the product shows only its price.
- If compare-at price is higher than the price, most themes show the compare-at price crossed out, the current price next to it and often a "Sale" badge.
Example: price $40, compare-at price $50. The product page shows ~~$50~~ $40.
How to set it
- In Shopify admin, go to Products and open the product.
- In the pricing section, enter the regular price in Compare-at price.
- Enter the discounted price in Price.
- For products with variants, set it on each variant.
- Save.
To change many products at once, use the bulk editor or update the compare-at price column in a product CSV.
How it differs from discount codes
| Compare-at price | Discount codes / automatic discounts | |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Shown on product pages and collections | Applied in cart or checkout |
| Scope | Per product or variant | Sitewide, collections, specific products |
| Use case | Visible sales and markdowns | Promotions, email offers, conditions |
| Scheduling | Manual or via apps | Built-in start and end dates |
Many stores use automatic discounts for timed promotions and compare-at prices for longer markdowns or clearance.
Use it honestly
Reference prices are regulated in many places:
- In the EU, the Omnibus Directive rules require that when you announce a price reduction, the reference price is the lowest price applied in the previous 30 days (with some exceptions).
- In the US, the FTC's guides against deceptive pricing say a former price comparison should be a genuine price at which the item was offered in good faith for a reasonable period.
- Other countries have similar rules.
Inflating a "regular" price that was never charged, to make a discount look bigger, misleads customers and can bring legal risk. It also damages trust when shoppers notice.
Smart ways to use compare-at prices
- Clearance: mark down end-of-season products.
- Bundle savings: show the combined price of separate items as the compare-at for a bundle, if accurate.
- Launch promotions: introductory pricing with a genuine regular price afterward.
- Seasonal sales: set and then remove compare-at prices when the sale ends.
Removing a sale
Clear the compare-at price field (or set it equal to or below the price). Remember to do this when sales end, or use a scheduling app.
Display tips
- Make sure your theme shows sale prices clearly on product and collection pages.
- Consider showing the saving in percentage or amount if your theme supports it.
- Avoid having every product on "sale" permanently; it makes the badge meaningless.
Example scenarios
- End-of-season clearance: a jacket sold at $120 all season is marked down to $80 with a compare-at price of $120.
- Bundle: three candles normally sold at $20 each are bundled for $50 with a compare-at price of $60.
- Introductory price: a new product launches at $35 for two weeks, then moves to $45. Showing $45 as compare-at is only appropriate where local rules allow introductory reference pricing.
In each case, the reference price should be real and verifiable.
Troubleshooting
- Not showing? Compare-at price must be higher than price.
- Showing on some variants only? Set it per variant.
- Sale badge wrong? Check theme settings for badge display.
For more pricing strategy, read the ultimate guide to Shopify pricing strategy and how to do multiple coupon codes in Shopify. To see how prices fit into overall page design, check Shopify product page optimization.
Frequently asked questions
How do I set a compare-at price in Shopify?
Open the product in Shopify admin, enter the regular price in the Compare-at price field and the discounted price in the Price field, then save.
Why isn't my compare-at price showing?
It only displays when it is higher than the price. Also check that your theme supports sale price display and that variants each have a compare-at price set.
Is it legal to use compare-at prices?
Yes, when the reference price is genuine. Many countries regulate reference prices; for example, EU rules require price reduction announcements to reference the lowest price in the prior 30 days.
Sources and further reading
Platform features, prices and policies change. Check the official help pages linked above before you act on a detail that matters to your store.