Title: Shipping variables
Last modified: November 13, 2025

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# Shipping variables

 *  Resolved [LimeTreeFruits](https://wordpress.org/support/users/limetreefruits/)
 * (@limetreefruits)
 * [6 months, 4 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/shipping-variables-2/)
 * Hi there, I am setting up shipping costs based on items in the cart and per [this doc here](https://woocommerce.com/document/flat-rate-shipping/#shipping-classes)
   it says to use a formula for each shipping class:
 * shipping cost * [qty]
 * In my case that’d be:
    - 1-3 items = $7.50 so formula >> 7.50*[3]
    - 4-8 items = $12.50 so formula >> 7.50*[3]
 * However when I type that in, it comes back with this message:
 * ![](https://i0.wp.com/trftea.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-
   13-at-12.47.53-PM.png?ssl=1)
 * any help really appreciated!
    -  This topic was modified 6 months, 4 weeks ago by [LimeTreeFruits](https://wordpress.org/support/users/limetreefruits/).
 * The page I need help with: _[[log in](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwordpress.org%2Fsupport%2Ftopic%2Fshipping-variables-2%2F%3Foutput_format%3Dmd&locale=en_US)
   to see the link]_

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

 *  [Sai (woo-hc)](https://wordpress.org/support/users/saivutukuru/)
 * (@saivutukuru)
 * [6 months, 4 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/shipping-variables-2/#post-18718867)
 * Hi [@limetreefruits](https://wordpress.org/support/users/limetreefruits/),
 * The error happens because WooCommerce’s shipping cost field **doesn’t allow literal
   numbers inside brackets**. The placeholder `[qty]` is the _only_ bracketed value
   you can use.
 * To calculate shipping based on quantity, the correct format is:
 *     ```wp-block-code
       7.50 * [qty] 
       ```
   
 * You **should not** use:
 *     ```wp-block-code
       7.50 * [3] 
       ```
   
 * That will always trigger: _“illegal character ‘[‘ ”_.
 * If you need different rates for 1–3 items vs 4–8 items, you’ll need:
    - **Two separate shipping classes**, or
    - A shipping plugin that supports conditional rules.
 *  Thread Starter [LimeTreeFruits](https://wordpress.org/support/users/limetreefruits/)
 * (@limetreefruits)
 * [6 months, 3 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/shipping-variables-2/#post-18727047)
 * TY
    -  This reply was modified 6 months, 3 weeks ago by [LimeTreeFruits](https://wordpress.org/support/users/limetreefruits/).
 *  Thread Starter [LimeTreeFruits](https://wordpress.org/support/users/limetreefruits/)
 * (@limetreefruits)
 * [6 months, 3 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/shipping-variables-2/#post-18727059)
 * Thank you
 *  Plugin Support [shahzeen(woo-hc)](https://wordpress.org/support/users/shahzeenfarooq/)
 * (@shahzeenfarooq)
 * [6 months, 3 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/shipping-variables-2/#post-18727169)
 * Hi there!
   You are welcome, I’m so glad we were able to get that sorted for you!
   If you’re happy with the support you received today, would you consider leaving
   us a quick review? It really helps us out: [https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/woocommerce/reviews/#new-post](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/woocommerce/reviews/#new-post)

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

The topic ‘Shipping variables’ is closed to new replies.

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## Tags

 * [shipping costs](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/shipping-costs/)

 * 4 replies
 * 3 participants
 * Last reply from: [shahzeen(woo-hc)](https://wordpress.org/support/users/shahzeenfarooq/)
 * Last activity: [6 months, 3 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/shipping-variables-2/#post-18727169)
 * Status: resolved