--- title: Getting Started with the Free Shipping Bar for WooCommerce description: "Show how much is left for free shipping in WooCommerce: set the free shipping minimum, enable the cart message and add a progress bar." url: "https://wpfactory.com/docs/use-free-shipping-bar/" updated: "2026-09-27" category: How to --- # Getting Started with the Free Shipping Bar for WooCommerce [Free Shipping Bar: Amount Left for Free Shipping for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/item/amount-left-free-shipping-woocommerce/) shows customers how much more they need to spend for free shipping, with an optional progress bar. It reads the minimum from your WooCommerce Free shipping method. Settings are at **WPFactory > Left for Free Shipping** (also at **WooCommerce > Settings > Amount Left for Free Shipping**). ## What it does Amount Left for Free Shipping displays a message such as "$12.00 left for free shipping" on the cart and, in Pro, in the mini-cart, at checkout, in a site-wide notice or after a product is added to the cart. When the customer reaches the minimum, the message changes to "You have free delivery!". A `%progress_bar%` placeholder adds a visual bar to any message. ## Before you start: set up free shipping in WooCommerce The plugin needs a free shipping threshold to count toward. It reads the minimum order amount from the WooCommerce **Free shipping** method automatically. 1. Go to **WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping**. ![Add free shipping bar - Step 1](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Add-free-shipping-bar-Step-1-1024x499.webp) 1. Add or open a shipping zone (for example Domestic) and choose the regions it covers. ![Add free shipping bar - Step 2](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Add-free-shipping-bar-Step-2-1024x499.webp) 1. Add a shipping method to the zone and choose **Free shipping**. ![Add free shipping bar - Step 3](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Add-free-shipping-bar-Step-3-1024x499.png) 1. Set its requirement to a minimum order amount, for example 40, and save. ![Add free shipping bar - Step 4](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Add-free-shipping-bar-Step-4-1024x499.png) If you use a different method for free shipping (not the WooCommerce Free shipping method), set the amount yourself in the **Manual min amount** section instead. See [how to set a manual minimum for free shipping](https://wpfactory.com/docs/manual-min-amount/). ## Install and activate - **Free:** go to **Plugins > Add New**, search for **Free Shipping Bar: Amount Left for Free Shipping for WooCommerce**, click **Install Now**, then **Activate**. - **Pro:** download **Free Shipping Bar: Amount Left for Free Shipping for WooCommerce Pro** from your WPFactory account, upload it at **Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin** and activate it. ![WPFactory Free shipping bar Plugin - Step 1](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/WPFactory-Free-shipping-bar-Plugin-Step-1-1024x724.webp) More detail is in [how to install the Free Shipping Bar plugin](https://wpfactory.com/docs/installation-methods/). ## First setup: show the amount left on the cart page 1. Go to **WPFactory > Left for Free Shipping**. In the **General** section, check that **Amount Left for Free Shipping** is enabled (default: on). 2. Open the **Cart** section and tick **Enable/Disable** (default: off). 3. Keep the default **Content**, `%amount_left_for_free_shipping% left for free shipping`, or write your own. Add `%progress_bar%` if you want a bar. 4. Choose a **Position** (default: After cart totals) and save. 5. If you added `%progress_bar%`, open the **Progress Bar** section, tick **Enable/Disable** (default: off) and save. 6. Add a product below the minimum to your cart to see the message. ![WPFactory Free shipping bar Plugin - Step 2](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/WPFactory-Free-shipping-bar-Plugin-Step-2-1024x499.png) ![WPFactory Free shipping bar Plugin - Step 3](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/WPFactory-Free-shipping-bar-Plugin-Step-3-1024x499.png) ## Main features ### General options (Free) Set the **Free shipping reached** text (default "You have free delivery!"), a message for an empty cart, how the cart total is calculated (discounts, shipping), **Hide shipping methods** when free shipping is available, and when to hide the message (by cart amount or shipping method; by category or user role in Pro). See [General settings](https://wpfactory.com/docs/general-options/) and [hiding other shipping methods when free shipping is available](https://wpfactory.com/docs/woocommerce-hide-shipping-methods-free-shipping/). ### Cart, mini-cart and checkout messages The **Cart** message is free; the **Mini-cart** and **Checkout** messages are Pro. Each has its own Content, Position and Position order (priority). See [cart page](https://wpfactory.com/docs/control-free-shipping-info/), [mini cart](https://wpfactory.com/docs/free-shipping-upgrade/) and [checkout](https://wpfactory.com/docs/guide-to-free-shipping/) guides. ![WPFactory Free shipping bar Plugin - Step 4](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/WPFactory-Free-shipping-bar-Plugin-Step-4-1024x499.png) [![Cart message Position setting](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Step4-Free-shipping-1024x495.png)](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Step4-Free-shipping.png) ### Store notices (Pro) The **Store notice** section has a **Default WooCommerce notice** (Notice type: Notice, Error or Success) and a **Site-wide notice** banner with its own position, colors and auto hide. See [default and site-wide free shipping notices](https://wpfactory.com/docs/store-notices-options/). [![Default WooCommerce notice options](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Step5-free-shipping-1024x495.png)](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Step5-free-shipping.png) [![Site-wide notice options](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Step5-2-1024x495.png)](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Step5-2.png) ### "Add to Cart" notice (Pro) Adds the amount left to the notice shown when a product is added to the cart. See [add to cart free shipping notice](https://wpfactory.com/docs/free-shipping-nudge/). [![Add to Cart notice options](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Step6.-free-shipping-1024x495.png)](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Step6.-free-shipping.png) ### Manual min amount Set the amount manually when you do not use the WooCommerce Free shipping method (Free). Different amounts per user role, currency, shipping zone, shipping method or shipping class are Pro. See [setting a manual minimum](https://wpfactory.com/docs/manual-min-amount/) and [different amounts by method or zone](https://wpfactory.com/docs/free-shipping-by-zone-method/). [![Manual min amount options](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Step7.-free-shipping-1024x495.png)](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Step7.-free-shipping.png) [![Manual min amount extra options](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Step72.free-shipping-1024x495.png)](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Step72.free-shipping.png) ### Progress bar Enable the bar in the **Progress Bar** section and place `%progress_bar%` in any message. Colors and height are free; **Animation** is Pro. See [progress bar settings](https://wpfactory.com/docs/progress-bar-options/). [![Progress Bar options](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Step8.-free-shipping-1024x495.png)](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Step8.-free-shipping.png) ### Shortcode and widget (Free) Show the message anywhere with `[alg_wc_left_to_free_shipping]` or the **Amount Left for Free Shipping** widget. See [shortcodes and widget](https://wpfactory.com/docs/free-shipping-progress/) and the [placeholders reference](https://wpfactory.com/docs/free-shipping-message-placeholders/). ### Advanced and AJAX The **Advanced** section has calculation checks and **Enable AJAX** (Pro) so the message updates without a page reload. See [advanced and AJAX options](https://wpfactory.com/docs/fine-tuning-free-shipping/). ## Free vs Pro | Feature | Free | Pro | | --- | --- | --- | | General options, messages and calculation | Yes | Yes | | Hide the message by cart amount or shipping method | Yes | Yes | | Hide the message by category or user role | No | Yes | | Cart message (content, position, wrapper) | Yes | Yes | | Cart custom style (text color, font size) | No | Yes | | Mini-cart and Checkout messages | No | Yes | | Default WooCommerce notice and Site-wide notice | No | Yes | | "Add to Cart" notice | No | Yes | | Manual min amount (single amount) | Yes | Yes | | Manual min amount by role, currency, zone, method or class | No | Yes | | Progress bar (colors, height) | Yes | Yes | | Progress bar animation | No | Yes | | Shortcode and widget | Yes | Yes | | Enable AJAX | No | Yes | See [Free vs Pro: WooCommerce Free Shipping Bar](https://wpfactory.com/docs/free-vs-pro-versions/) for more. ## FAQ ### Why does no message appear on the cart page? The Cart message is off by default. Tick **Enable/Disable** in the **Cart** section. Also check that the customer's shipping zone has a Free shipping method with a minimum amount, or set a manual min amount. ### Where does the plugin get the free shipping amount? From the minimum order amount of the WooCommerce Free shipping method in the customer's zone. For other shipping methods, set it in **Manual min amount**. ### How do I show a progress bar? Enable it in the **Progress Bar** section, then add `%progress_bar%` to the Content of the Cart (or another) message. ### The amount does not update when the cart changes. What should I do? Turn on **Enable AJAX** in the Advanced section (Pro). See [bar text not updating when the cart changes](https://wpfactory.com/docs/bar-text-not-updating/). ### Get more control The cart message, progress bar, shortcode and widget are free. [Free Shipping Bar: Amount Left for Free Shipping for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/item/amount-left-free-shipping-woocommerce/) Pro adds mini-cart, checkout, add to cart and site-wide notices, per-zone and per-role amounts and AJAX updates. [See what Pro unlocks](https://wpfactory.com/item/amount-left-free-shipping-woocommerce/). Need a hand? Our team answers every ticket on the [Amount Left for Free Shipping support forum](https://wpfactory.com/support/item/amount-left-free-shipping-woocommerce/). Related articles - [Third-Party Plugin Compatibility for the Free Shipping Bar](https://wpfactory.com/docs/free-shipping-third-party-compatibility/) - [Free Shipping Bar: Developer Hooks and Filters Reference](https://wpfactory.com/docs/free-shipping-developer-hooks-filters/) - [Free Shipping Bar Troubleshooting Checklist](https://wpfactory.com/docs/troubleshooting-checklist/) - [Free Shipping Bar Breaks After a WordPress or WooCommerce Update](https://wpfactory.com/docs/plugin-breaks-after-update/) - [Free Shipping Bar Not Showing in the WooCommerce Cart Block or Mini-Cart](https://wpfactory.com/docs/plugin-cart-block-issue/)