By default, WooCommerce uses the WordPress post ID as the order number. While this works for basic stores, some businesses may need more customised order numbers to align with internal processes or customer expectations. In this guide, we’ll show you how to change WooCommerce order numbers without a plugin by using custom code.
As always, it’s best to make these changes in a child theme to ensure your modifications aren’t lost during theme updates.
Why Change WooCommerce Order Numbers?
Here are some common reasons why you might want to customise order numbers:
- Internal Tracking: Align order numbers with an external system (e.g., accounting or fulfilment software).
- Security and Privacy: Avoid exposing the number of orders you’ve processed.
- Improved Customer Experience: Use more intuitive order numbers to make tracking easier for customers.
Step 1: Add a Custom Prefix or Suffix to Order Numbers
The following code adds a prefix or suffix to order numbers for better organisation. Add it to your theme’s functions.php file or use a child theme.
/*
* Snippet: How to Change WooCommerce Order Number – 2026
* Author: John Cook
* URL: https://wcsuccessacademy.com/?p=1591
* Tested with WooCommerce 10.7.0
* "This function adds a prefix and suffix to WooCommerce order numbers"
*/
function wcsuccess_custom_order_number( $order_id ) {
$prefix = 'WC-';
$suffix = '-2024';
return $prefix . $order_id . $suffix;
}
add_filter( 'woocommerce_order_number', 'wcsuccess_custom_order_number' );
How This Works
woocommerce_order_numberFilter: This filter allows you to modify the order number format.- Prefix and Suffix: Adds ‘WC-‘ as the prefix and ‘-2024’ as the suffix to each order number. You can change these values as needed.
Step 2: Generate Sequential Order Numbers
If you want to avoid gaps in order numbers (caused by deleted orders), you can create sequential order numbers. Here’s how:
/*
* Snippet: How to Change WooCommerce Order Number – 2026
* Author: John Cook
* URL: https://wcsuccessacademy.com/?p=1591
* Tested with WooCommerce 10.7.0
* "This function generates sequential WooCommerce order numbers"
*/
function wcsuccess_sequential_order_number( $order_id ) {
$last_order_number = get_option( 'wcsuccess_last_order_number', 1000 ); // Start from 1001
$new_order_number = $last_order_number + 1;
update_option( 'wcsuccess_last_order_number', $new_order_number );
return $new_order_number;
}
add_filter( 'woocommerce_order_number', 'wcsuccess_sequential_order_number' );
How This Works
- Sequential Logic: The code stores the last order number in the WordPress options table and increments it by one for each new order.
- Starting Point: You can change the starting order number by modifying the initial value (
1000).
Step 3: Use Shortcodes to Display Custom Order Numbers
If you need to display order numbers with specific formatting dynamically, use the do_shortcode() function.
/*
* Snippet: How to Change WooCommerce Order Number – 2026
* Author: John Cook
* URL: https://wcsuccessacademy.com/?p=1591
* Tested with WooCommerce 10.7.0
* "This shortcode displays custom WooCommerce order numbers"
*/
function wcsuccess_display_custom_order_number( $atts ) {
global $wp;
$order_id = wc_get_order_id_by_order_key( $wp->query_vars['order-received'] );
return 'Order Number: ' . do_shortcode( '[your_custom_shortcode id="' . $order_id . '"]' );
}
add_shortcode( 'display_custom_order', 'wcsuccess_display_custom_order_number' );
How This Works
- Retrieve Order ID: The shortcode dynamically retrieves the order ID.
- Shortcode Flexibility: You can insert the shortcode on pages or in email templates to display custom order numbers.
Step 4: Update Order Numbers in WooCommerce Emails
To display the new order number format in WooCommerce emails, modify the following template function in functions.php.
/*
* Snippet: How to Change WooCommerce Order Number – 2026
* Author: John Cook
* URL: https://wcsuccessacademy.com/?p=1591
* Tested with WooCommerce 10.7.0
* "This function modifies order numbers in WooCommerce emails"
*/
function wcsuccess_modify_email_order_number( $order, $sent_to_admin, $plain_text ) {
echo 'Order Number: ' . apply_filters( 'woocommerce_order_number', $order->get_id() );
}
add_action( 'woocommerce_email_order_details', 'wcsuccess_modify_email_order_number', 10, 3 );
How This Works
- Email Modification: Displays the custom order number format in all outgoing WooCommerce order emails.
- Filter Integration: Uses the
woocommerce_order_numberfilter to ensure consistency across the site.
Best Use Cases for Customising Order Numbers
- Align with External Systems: Sync WooCommerce orders with fulfilment or accounting systems using specific order formats.
- Streamline Customer Communication: Use sequential numbers or meaningful prefixes for improved clarity in order tracking.
- Enhanced Security: Mask real order volumes by using non-sequential or formatted order numbers.
Conclusion
Changing WooCommerce order numbers allows you to align them with your store’s needs and improve both internal operations and customer communication. Whether you’re adding prefixes, generating sequential numbers, or modifying email templates, these customisations give you full control over how order numbers are handled.
Remember to test your changes in a staging environment before applying them to your live site. Use a child theme to protect your customisations. For more WooCommerce tips, check out our WooCommerce Visual Hooks Guide and wp-config generator for further enhancements.
I have been working with WordPress and WooCommerce since 2012 and have developed a deep knowledge of the content management system. Since 2012, I have developed several plugins and designed dozens of websites utilising different frameworks, CMS’s and programming languages. I am proficient in PHP, Python, Java, C, C++, R and JavaScript with limited experience in Go, Kotlin and Swift.
Educationally, I have a Master’s degree in cyber security a Bachelor’s (Hons, First Class) in Applied Research and a Graduate Certificate in Data Science. I’m currently undertaking PhD studies investigating IoT cybersecurity. I recently graduated with First Class Honours and Masters of Information Technology, receiving the Executive Dean’s Award for studies undertaken in the 2021 and 2022 academic years. I have worked in the information technology industry for the past 11 years primarily as a software/web developer specific to design, optimisation, network management and security. My research interests are in the areas of Internet of Things (IoT), 5G and Beyond Networks, information security for wireless networks and software development.
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