An automatic discount on Shopify applies by itself in the cart and checkout once the conditions are met. The buyer does not need a code. That removes one of the most common reasons buyers drop off, but automatic discounts have their own limits. This guide shows how to set them up, how they combine with other discounts and where they fall short.
Automatic discount or discount code?
| Automatic discount | Discount code | |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer has to enter something | no | yes |
| Applies to | everyone who meets the conditions | everyone who has the code |
| Can be shared as a link | not needed | yes |
| Usage limits per customer | no | yes |
| Good for | shop-wide offers, bundles, free shipping thresholds | targeted offers for a group or channel |
How to create an automatic discount
- In the Shopify admin, open Discounts and create a new discount.
- Choose the type: amount off products, amount off order, buy X get Y, or free shipping.
- Under Method, choose Automatic discount and give it a title. Buyers see this title in the cart and checkout.
- Set the value, the products or collections it applies to and any minimum purchase requirement.
- Define which other discounts it may combine with.
- Set start and end date, then save.
Combinations and limits
- Shopify allows several active automatic discounts at the same time, up to a platform limit (currently 25).
- Each discount defines whether it can combine with product, order or shipping discounts. Without combinations, Shopify applies the best single discount for the buyer.
- Automatic discounts have no per-customer usage limit. For "once per customer" offers you need a code.
- Whether the reduced price appears on product and collection pages depends on your theme. Many themes show it only in the cart.
Show the reduced price before the cart
An automatic discount that appears only in the cart has two problems. Buyers who do not know about it do not add the product in the first place. And under EU price indication rules, a price reduction you advertise has to be shown correctly, including the 30-day lowest price as the reference price. If you promote an automatic discount on a banner, make sure the product pages show the same price the cart will charge. More in Strikethrough pricing in Germany.
When a link or a sale page is the better tool
Automatic discounts apply to everyone who meets the conditions. For a promotion aimed at a specific audience, such as a newsletter, a post or an ad, a discount link that applies the code and puts the product in the cart is often more precise. See Discount link instead of discount code. For short, time-limited offers a dedicated sale page with a countdown gives the discount a stage of its own.
Heartly combines both: each flash sale gets its own page with countdown and stock limit, and a tap on "Go to checkout" creates a Shopify cart with the product and the discount already applied, without a code to type.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an automatic discount on Shopify?
A discount that applies by itself in the cart and checkout when the conditions are met, without the buyer entering a code.
How many automatic discounts can be active on Shopify?
Several at the same time, up to a platform limit that is currently 25. Combination settings decide whether they stack.
Can I limit an automatic discount to one use per customer?
No. Per-customer usage limits are available for discount codes, not for automatic discounts.
Why does my automatic discount only show in the cart?
Many themes display automatic discounts only in the cart and checkout. Showing the reduced price on product pages depends on your theme or an app.
Can automatic discounts combine with discount codes?
Yes, if both discounts are set to allow the combination. Otherwise Shopify applies only one of them.