---
title: Styling Custom Order Statuses in WooCommerce
description: Give each custom WooCommerce order status its own text and background color so orders stand out in the orders list.
url: "https://wpfactory.com/docs/style-options-woocommerce/"
updated: "2026-09-27"
category: How to
tags:
  - Custom Order Status for WooCommerce
---

# Styling Custom Order Statuses in WooCommerce

To give a custom WooCommerce order status its own colors, open it at **WooCommerce > Order Status** in [Additional Custom Order Status for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/item/order-status-for-woocommerce/) and set **Text color** and **Background color** in the **Styling Options** box. The colors appear in the orders list "Status" column and on the order preview. Styling is free.

[![Styling options for a custom order status](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/pasted-image-0-94-1024x440.png)](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/pasted-image-0-94.png)

## Where to set the colors

Statuses are created and edited at **WooCommerce > Order Status**, not in the plugin settings at **WPFactory > Order Status**. Each status has its own **Styling Options** box. The box description notes that these colors are used in the "Status" column and on the order preview page.

## Step-by-step

1. Go to **WooCommerce > Order Status**.
2. Click a status to edit it, or click **Add New** to create one.
3. In the **Styling Options** box, pick a **Text color** and a **Background color** with the color pickers.
4. Click **Update** (or **Publish** for a new status).
5. Open **WooCommerce > Orders** and check the colored label in the Status column.

## Styling options

| Label | Option ID | Type | Default |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Text color | `text_color` | Color | `#000000` |
| Background color | `bg_color` | Color | `#999999` |

If you leave the defaults, the status shows black text on a grey label. Custom Order Status applies your colors to the status label wherever WooCommerce shows it in the admin orders list and order preview.

## Styling the action button too

If you add the status as an order list action button, its icon has separate colors in the **Action Buttons Options** box of the same screen: **Order list icon color** (default `#999999`) and **Order list icon background color** (default `#ffffff`). See [Add Custom Order Status Action Buttons in WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/docs/configure-order-status/).

## Choosing effective colors

- **Use color meaning**: red reads as urgent, green as complete, amber as waiting.
- **Keep it readable**: make sure the text color contrasts well with the background color.
- **Stay on brand**: reuse your store's palette so the admin feels consistent.

## Why visual statuses help

- Faster scanning of the orders list, since each stage has a distinct color.
- Quicker identification of orders that need attention, for example a red "Awaiting payment".
- A clearer overview of where every order sits in your workflow.

## If the colors do not show

- **The status is a draft:** only published statuses are loaded, so publish it.
- **You are looking at the storefront:** the colors are added to admin pages only. Customers do not see them on the My Account page.
- **Old colors remain:** reload the orders page after clicking **Update**, and clear any admin page cache.

## FAQ

### Is order status styling free?

Yes. Colors, like every per-status option except emails, are in the free version. Sending emails on status change is the only Pro feature.

### Can I change the colors of built-in statuses like Processing?

Yes, by creating a status that overrides the default one. See [How to Restyle a Default WooCommerce Order Status](https://wpfactory.com/docs/woocommerce-override-default-order-status/).

### Can I target a status with my own CSS?

Yes. The label uses the CSS selector `mark.order-status.status-` followed by the status slug shown in the **Status Slug** box, for example `mark.order-status.status-awaiting-shipment`. The plugin's colors use `!important`, so your rule needs it too.

## Related guides

- [Creating Custom Order Statuses in WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/docs/create-custom-statuses/)
- [How to Restyle a Default WooCommerce Order Status](https://wpfactory.com/docs/woocommerce-override-default-order-status/)
- [Add Custom Order Status Action Buttons in WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/docs/configure-order-status/)

### Get more control

Styling is free for every status you create. [Additional Custom Order Status for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/item/order-status-for-woocommerce/) Pro adds automated emails on status change. [See what Pro unlocks](https://wpfactory.com/item/order-status-for-woocommerce/).

Need a hand? Our team answers every ticket on the [Custom Order Status support forum](https://wpfactory.com/support/item/order-status-for-woocommerce/).

Related articles

- [Troubleshooting Custom Order Statuses](https://wpfactory.com/docs/general-issues/)
- [General and Order Options for Custom Statuses](https://wpfactory.com/docs/custom-order-status-general-payments/)
- [How to Sort Order Statuses in WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/docs/woocommerce-order-status-sorting/)
- [Deleting a Custom Order Status Safely](https://wpfactory.com/docs/woocommerce-delete-order-status-fallback/)
- [Send WooCommerce Emails on Custom Order Status Change](https://wpfactory.com/docs/proactive-email-setup/)

 

[![Custom Order Status for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Order-Status-for-WooCommerce.webp)](https://wpfactory.com/item/order-status-for-woocommerce/)