---
title: How to Show Only Valid Variation Combinations in WooCommerce
description: Show only valid variation combinations in WooCommerce so shoppers cannot pick a color and size you do not sell. A Pro feature.
url: "https://wpfactory.com/docs/show-only-valid-variation-combinations/"
updated: "2026-09-27"
category: Pro Features
---

# How to Show Only Valid Variation Combinations in WooCommerce

To show only valid variation combinations with Variation Swatches for WooCommerce - Color & Image Swatches Pro, go to WooCommerce > Settings > Variation swatches, tick Only valid combinations, and save. After a shopper picks one swatch, swatches that would lead to a variation you do not sell are greyed out. This Pro option is on by default.

### Before you start

- WooCommerce, active.
- [Variation Swatches](https://wpfactory.com/item/color-or-image-variation-swatches-for-woocommerce/) Pro (this is a Pro feature).
- A variable product with two or more swatch attributes, where not every combination exists.

### How it works

When a customer selects a swatch for one attribute, the plugin checks which options remain possible for the other attributes and disables the swatches that would lead to a non-existent variation. Disabled swatches get the `disabled` CSS class so they appear dimmed and cannot be chosen. This runs on top of WooCommerce's own variation matching, so it always reflects the variations you have actually created.

### Turn it on

1. Go to **WooCommerce > Settings > Variation swatches**.
2. Tick **Only valid combinations**.
3. Save changes.

| Label | Option ID | Type | Default | Free/Pro |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Only valid combinations | `alg_wc_civs_possible_combinations` | Checkbox | Yes | Pro |

This option is on by default in Pro. If you would rather let shoppers click any swatch and see WooCommerce's standard "not available" message, untick it.

![product page with one swatch selected and incompatible swatches greyed out](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/show-only-valid-variation-combinations-1.png)

### Troubleshooting

- **No swatches are greyed out:** confirm the option is ticked, and that the product genuinely has missing combinations. If every combination exists, nothing is disabled.
- **Everything stays clickable:** the disabling runs in the browser. Clear any page or JavaScript cache after enabling the option, and check that your theme is not blocking the plugin's script.

### Ready to set this up?

Only valid combinations is a Pro feature of [Variation Swatches](https://wpfactory.com/item/color-or-image-variation-swatches-for-woocommerce/). If you are still on the free version, upgrading takes a couple of minutes and unlocks this along with the rest of the Pro toolkit. [Get Variation Swatches Pro](https://wpfactory.com/item/color-or-image-variation-swatches-for-woocommerce/).

Related articles

- [How to Add Variation Attribute Images to the WooCommerce Product Gallery](https://wpfactory.com/docs/variation-attribute-images-in-product-gallery/)
- [How to Use Select2 Dropdowns for WooCommerce Variations](https://wpfactory.com/docs/select2-dropdowns-for-variations/)
- [Variation Swatches General Options and Pro Settings](https://wpfactory.com/docs/general-options-swatch/)
- [Variation Swatches Settings Reference](https://wpfactory.com/docs/variation-swatches-settings-reference/)
- [How to Change the Size and Shape of WooCommerce Variation Swatches](https://wpfactory.com/docs/style-and-resize-variation-swatches-css/)