A variant is one specific version of a product, distinguished from its siblings by attribute values — the "lavender, 8 oz" candle as opposed to the "cedar, 4 oz" one. A product is the family; the variants are its individual members, and they are what you actually stock and sell.
Each variant stands on its own: it can have its own SKU, its own price, and its own stock level. That independence is what lets you sell out of one scent while another is fully stocked, or price a larger size higher, without those facts bleeding into one another.
Variants are generated by the attributes you define — every meaningful combination of attribute values becomes a variant. Designing attributes thoughtfully keeps the variant list deliberate rather than an explosion of combinations you never actually make.
Related terms
Attributes
Custom properties you define to describe your inventory variants, such as color, size, scent, or material. Attributes help organize and filter your product catalog.
SKU (Stock Keeping Unit)
A unique code assigned to each product variant for identification and tracking. Helps organize your catalog and is commonly used in barcodes and inventory management.
Finished Goods
Products you have manufactured or assembled from raw ingredients and components. These are the completed items ready for sale to customers.
Pricing Tier
A named pricing configuration (like retail, wholesale, or market) that applies a markup or adjustment formula to calculate prices. Useful for selling at different price points.