WooCommerce provides several default product types such as Simple, Variable, Grouped, and External products. But what if your store has unique needs that don’t quite fit into these categories? This is where custom product types come in. By creating your own product type, you can tailor WooCommerce to suit your specific requirements.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to add a custom WooCommerce product type. This process requires custom code but don’t worry—it’s relatively straightforward. As always, ensure you are working in a child theme to keep your changes safe from theme updates.
Why Create a Custom Product Type?
A custom WooCommerce product type can be useful in several situations:
- Subscription Products: If you’re selling products on a subscription basis, you might need custom functionality.
- Rental Products: For stores that rent products instead of selling them, creating a custom product type ensures you can add unique features, such as rental periods.
- Custom Service Packages: If you sell services instead of physical products, a custom product type allows you to modify the behaviour of WooCommerce accordingly.
Adding the Custom Product Type
Here’s a snippet of code that will allow you to create a custom WooCommerce product type. Simply add it to your theme’s functions.php file, or if you prefer to stay safe, use a child theme.
/*
* Snippet: How to Create a Custom WooCommerce Product Type – 2026
* Author: John Cook
* URL: https://wcsuccessacademy.com/?p=1496
* Tested with WooCommerce 10.7.0
* "This function adds a custom WooCommerce product type"
*/
function wcsuccess_add_custom_product_type() {
class WC_Product_Custom_Type extends WC_Product {
public function __construct( $product ) {
$this->product_type = 'custom_product_type'; // Define product type slug
parent::__construct( $product );
}
}
}
add_action( 'init', 'wcsuccess_add_custom_product_type' );
This snippet defines a custom WooCommerce product type, custom_product_type, which you can extend further by adding your custom fields or behaviour.
Displaying the Custom Product Type in the Admin
Next, you’ll want to display your new product type in the WooCommerce admin. Here’s how to add it to the product type dropdown.
/*
* Snippet: How to Create a Custom WooCommerce Product Type – 2026
* Author: John Cook
* URL: https://wcsuccessacademy.com/?p=1496
* Tested with WooCommerce 10.7.0
* "This function adds the custom product type to the admin product dropdown"
*/
function wcsuccess_custom_product_type_selector( $types ) {
$types[ 'custom_product_type' ] = __( 'Custom Product Type', 'your-textdomain' );
return $types;
}
add_filter( 'product_type_selector', 'wcsuccess_custom_product_type_selector' );
This code snippet adds your new product type to the admin product dropdown, so you can easily assign it when creating or editing a product in WooCommerce.
Customising the Custom Product Type
Now that your custom product type is created, you can extend its functionality to fit your store’s needs. You may want to:
- Add custom fields: Allow store owners to define additional data for this product type, like rental periods or subscription lengths.
- Modify the pricing or checkout behaviour: Customise how the product interacts with WooCommerce’s cart and checkout systems.
Here’s an example of how you can add custom fields to your product type:
/*
* Snippet: How to Create a Custom WooCommerce Product Type – 2026
* Author: John Cook
* URL: https://wcsuccessacademy.com/?p=1496
* Tested with WooCommerce 10.7.0
* "This function adds custom fields to the custom product type"
*/
function wcsuccess_custom_product_data() {
global $post;
echo '<div class="options_group">';
woocommerce_wp_text_input(
array(
'id' => '_custom_text_field',
'label' => __( 'Custom Text Field', 'woocommerce' ),
'desc_tip' => 'true',
'description' => __( 'Enter custom text here.', 'woocommerce' )
)
);
echo '</div>';
}
add_action( 'woocommerce_product_options_general_product_data', 'wcsuccess_custom_product_data' );
function wcsuccess_save_custom_product_data( $post_id ) {
$custom_field_value = isset( $_POST['_custom_text_field'] ) ? sanitize_text_field( $_POST['_custom_text_field'] ) : '';
update_post_meta( $post_id, '_custom_text_field', $custom_field_value );
}
add_action( 'woocommerce_process_product_meta', 'wcsuccess_save_custom_product_data' );
This code adds a custom field to your product settings, allowing you to input unique data for your custom product type and then save it when the product is updated.
Best Use Cases for Custom Product Types
- Subscription Services: You can create a custom product type for subscription-based products, setting up custom billing intervals and pricing options.
- Rental Items: For stores that rent equipment or products, adding a rental period field makes managing rentals easier.
- Special Bundled Services: If your store sells custom services that don’t fit the default WooCommerce types, creating a custom product type ensures you can manage orders effectively.
Conclusion
By adding a custom WooCommerce product type, you can take control over your store and ensure it meets your unique business needs. Whether it’s for subscriptions, rentals, or other specialised products, this approach gives you the flexibility to build a store tailored to your customers.
Remember to always test new custom code in a child theme to avoid losing any work due to theme updates. You can also find additional WooCommerce customisations, such as the WooCommerce Visual Hooks Guide, to enhance your store further.
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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