Shopify compare-at price not showing: how to fix it
A compare-at price shows on your store only when it is higher than the product’s price. If the strikethrough price is missing, check the two price fields on every variant first, then your Shopify Markets settings, then your theme. Start with the first check: it takes a minute and changes nothing.
Shopify calls the strikethrough “was” price, the one shown crossed out, the compare-at price. A variant is one version of a product, such as one size or colour.
What should I check, in order?
Section titled “What should I check, in order?”| Check | What to look for | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The two fields | Compare-at price is empty, equal to or lower than the price | Make the compare-at price the higher of the two |
| 2. Every variant | One size or colour has the fields set and the others do not | Set both fields on each variant |
| 3. Shopify Markets | The shopper’s market has fixed prices, a price set by hand for this product, or Include compare-at price turned off | Set that market’s compare-at price, or turn the option on |
| 4. EU and EEA shoppers | Compare-at prices are hidden for that market | Check the market’s Hide compare-at setting |
| 5. The theme | The fields are right and the price still shows plain | Look at the theme’s price settings next |
1. Is the compare-at price higher than the price?
Section titled “1. Is the compare-at price higher than the price?”In Shopify admin, open the product and look at the Price section. Price is what the shopper pays. Compare-at price is the “was” price. Shopify shows a product as on sale only when the compare-at price is the higher of the two.
- Compare-at price empty, or 0: no strikethrough price.
- Compare-at price equal to or lower than the price: no strikethrough price.
2. Is it set on every variant?
Section titled “2. Is it set on every variant?”Each variant has its own price and its own compare-at price. A shirt in five sizes has five pairs of fields. If only some are set, the strikethrough price can appear for one size and vanish when the shopper picks another. Shopify also says a collection page may not show a product as on sale unless every variant has a compare-at price higher than its price.
To see them together, tick the product in Products, click Bulk edit, then click Columns and add Compare-at price.
3. Does the shopper’s market have its own prices?
Section titled “3. Does the shopper’s market have its own prices?”With Shopify Markets, a market can take its prices from your base prices or have its own. You find each market under Markets in Shopify admin.
- A percentage adjustment follows the base price. By default the compare-at price is adjusted too. If the market’s catalog has Include compare-at price turned off, Shopify does not adjust it, and you set that market’s compare-at price by hand.
- Fixed prices keep the prices you set for that market. A compare-at price added to the base product does not reach it.
- A price set by hand for one product in a market overrides the adjustment for that product.
More in Shopify Markets and sale prices.
4. Is the shopper in the EU or EEA?
Section titled “4. Is the shopper in the EU or EEA?”When your primary market is outside the European Economic Area, Shopify may hide compare-at prices for customers in the EEA. Each market has a Hide compare-at setting: in Shopify admin, go to Markets, open the market, and look for Compare-at price under its settings. If the strikethrough price is missing only for European shoppers, look there.
Before you show compare-at prices to those shoppers, read EU 30-day lowest price rule. The rule sets which “was” price you may show. This is not legal advice.
5. Is it the theme?
Section titled “5. Is it the theme?”The theme draws the price. If the fields are right for the variant and the market, and the price still shows plain, the theme is the next place to look.
- Look at the product in different places: the product page, a collection page and search results. A theme can show the strikethrough price in one and not another.
- Add one of Shopify’s free themes to your theme library and preview the product in it, without publishing. If the strikethrough price shows there, look at your own theme’s price settings.
What if a PriceDip task set the prices?
Section titled “What if a PriceDip task set the prices?”A Flash Sale task in PriceDip changes the price and sets the compare-at price for you. It does not use discount codes. Things to look at:
- Has the task started? A task with a future start date has not changed any prices yet, and an Inactive task does not run on its schedule. Large tasks also take time: allow about 5 minutes for every 3,000 product variants.
- Has it already ended? When a task ends, the price and compare-at price revert.
- Was the product added to a collection just before the sale? A product added to a targeted collection shortly before the task starts may not be picked up.
- Is it a Price Edit task? A Price Edit task changes the price without adding a compare-at price. No strikethrough price shows unless the product already had a compare-at price higher than its new price. That is by design. See Flash Sale task vs Price Edit task.
The app’s own widgets (flash sale badge, countdown timer, stock progress bar, promotion banner) are separate from the strikethrough price. If one of those is missing, start with Enable the app embed.
Frequently asked questions
Section titled “Frequently asked questions”Why is my compare-at price not showing on Shopify?
Section titled “Why is my compare-at price not showing on Shopify?”A compare-at price shows only when it is higher than the price on the variant the shopper is viewing, so start with those two fields on every variant. After that, check Shopify Markets pricing for the shopper’s country, then your theme.
Why does the strikethrough price show on the product page but not on collection pages?
Section titled “Why does the strikethrough price show on the product page but not on collection pages?”Check that every variant of the product has a compare-at price higher than its price, because Shopify may not show a product as on sale on a collection page otherwise. If every variant has one, your theme decides where the strikethrough price appears.
Why is the compare-at price missing only for customers in Europe?
Section titled “Why is the compare-at price missing only for customers in Europe?”Shopify may hide compare-at prices for customers in the EEA when the store’s primary market is outside the EEA. Each market has a Hide compare-at setting. A market with fixed prices also does not pick up a compare-at price added to the base product.
Does a discount code add a compare-at price?
Section titled “Does a discount code add a compare-at price?”A Shopify discount code or automatic discount does not change the price or the compare-at price. It is applied in the cart or at checkout, so it does not produce the strikethrough price that a sale price does.