WooCommerce: Remove “(optional)” From Checkout Field Labels

If a WooCommerce checkout field is set to “not required“, its label will get the “(optional)” suffix. Considering the required fields get the red “*” suffix, you may want to get completely rid of the (optional) string.

Sure, you could be using CSS to hide it… but as usual this is not ideal. With CSS display:none, the string loads and then you hide it; with PHP you avoid the loading in the first place.

So, let’s see how this is done – this snippet is also running on this same website so it should definitely work!

PHP Snippet: Delete The “(optional)” Suffix From The WooCommerce Checkout Fields Label

/**
 * @snippet       Remove (optional) from Woo Checkout fields
 * @tutorial      Get CustomizeWoo.com FREE
 * @author        Rodolfo Melogli
 * @compatible    WooCommerce 8
 * @community     Join https://businessbloomer.com/club/
 */

add_filter( 'woocommerce_form_field', 'bbloomer_remove_optional_checkout_fields', 9999 );

function bbloomer_remove_optional_checkout_fields( $field ) {
	$field = str_replace( '&nbsp;<span class="optional">(optional)</span>', '', $field );
	return $field;
}

Where to add custom code?

You should place custom PHP in functions.php and custom CSS in style.css of your child theme: where to place WooCommerce customization?

This code still works, unless you report otherwise. To exclude conflicts, temporarily switch to the Storefront theme, disable all plugins except WooCommerce, and test the snippet again: WooCommerce troubleshooting 101

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Rodolfo Melogli

Business Bloomer Founder

Author, WooCommerce expert and WordCamp speaker, Rodolfo has worked as an independent WooCommerce freelancer since 2011. His goal is to help entrepreneurs and developers overcome their WooCommerce nightmares. Rodolfo loves travelling, chasing tennis & soccer balls and, of course, wood fired oven pizza. Follow @rmelogli