---
title: How to Add Image Swatches to WooCommerce Products
description: Add image swatches to WooCommerce products so shoppers pick patterns, materials or finishes by clicking a thumbnail.
url: "https://wpfactory.com/docs/add-image-swatches/"
updated: "2026-09-27"
category: How to
---

# How to Add Image Swatches to WooCommerce Products

To add image swatches with Variation Swatches for WooCommerce - Color & Image Swatches, go to Products > Attributes, add an attribute such as Pattern, and set its Type to Image. Then click Configure terms, upload or select a thumbnail for each term in the Image field, and use the attribute on a variable product.

### Before you start

- WooCommerce, active.
- Variation Swatches installed and enabled.
- A variable product to attach the attribute to, and one image per option.

### Step 1: create an Image attribute

1. Go to **Products > Attributes**.
2. Click **Add new attribute**, give it a **Name** such as `Pattern`, and set a **Slug**.
3. In the **Type** dropdown, choose **Image**.
4. Click **Add attribute**.

### Step 2: add a thumbnail to each term

1. Next to the attribute, click **Configure terms**.
2. Enter a **Name** for the value, for example `Striped`.
3. Use the **Image** field to upload or select a thumbnail. This field is added by Variation Swatches and is stored in the term meta key `alg_wc_civs_term_image_image_id`.
4. Save the term and repeat for every option.

**Note:** the on-page swatch renders at 36 by 36 pixels by default. Upload square images so they crop cleanly. You can resize the swatches with CSS: see [How to change the size and shape of variation swatches](https://wpfactory.com/docs/).

### Step 3: use the attribute on a variable product

1. Edit a product and set **Product data** to **Variable product**.
2. On the **Attributes** tab, add the Image attribute, select its values, tick **Used for variations**, and save.
3. Create the variations, then view the product: the image thumbnails replace the variation dropdown.

### Show the same images in the product gallery (Pro)

With [Variation Swatches](https://wpfactory.com/item/color-or-image-variation-swatches-for-woocommerce/) Pro you can also push these term images into the product's main gallery so shoppers can zoom them. See [Add variation attribute images to the product gallery](https://wpfactory.com/docs/).

### Troubleshooting

- **Blank thumbnails:** a term has no image. Edit the term and upload one. Every Image term needs an image, or that swatch renders empty.
- **Swatches do not appear:** confirm the attribute Type is Image, the attribute is **Used for variations**, and **Enable Plugin** is ticked at **WooCommerce > Settings > Variation swatches**.

### Do more with your swatches

Image swatches are free. [Variation Swatches for WooCommerce - Color & Image Swatches](https://wpfactory.com/item/color-or-image-variation-swatches-for-woocommerce/) Pro adds gallery images, only-valid-combination filtering, and Select2 dropdowns. [See what Pro unlocks](https://wpfactory.com/item/color-or-image-variation-swatches-for-woocommerce/).

Related articles

- [How to Add Label (Text) Swatches to WooCommerce Products](https://wpfactory.com/docs/add-label-swatches/)
- [How to Add Color Swatches to WooCommerce Products](https://wpfactory.com/docs/add-color-swatches/)
- [How to Add Variation Attribute Images to the WooCommerce Product Gallery](https://wpfactory.com/docs/variation-attribute-images-in-product-gallery/)
- [How to Change the Size and Shape of WooCommerce Variation Swatches](https://wpfactory.com/docs/style-and-resize-variation-swatches-css/)
- [How to Set Up Color, Image and Label Attributes in WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/docs/set-attribute-admin-options/)