Key takeaways
- Most checkout text labels are editable in Online Store > Themes > … > Edit default theme content, in the Checkout & system tab.
- Visual checkout customisation (logo, colours, fonts) is in Settings > Checkout.
- Shopify Plus stores can add fields, banners and custom logic to the checkout steps with checkout UI extensions and Shopify Functions. checkout.liquid has been retired.
- Standard plan merchants have limited checkout customisation - the Checkout Editor covers branding basics.
To change checkout field labels in Shopify, go to Online Store > Themes, click the three-dot menu (…) next to your theme, choose Edit default theme content and edit the labels in the Checkout & system tab. This works on every plan.
Shopify controls the rest of the checkout tightly, because it’s the most security-sensitive part of the flow.
Why you can trust us
We’ve worked with Shopify merchants across all plan tiers on checkout optimisation. We also built Fudge, the AI operator for Shopify stores, with a 4.9 rating on the Shopify App Store.
How to change checkout text labels
Most checkout field labels and UI strings are in the language file alongside all other theme text.
Step 1. Go to Online Store > Themes, click the three-dot menu (…) next to your active theme, then Edit default theme content. Open the Checkout & system tab.
Step 2. In the search box, type a word that appears in the checkout - for example:
checkout- finds headings, button labels, step labelsshipping- finds shipping method selection textpayment- finds payment section labelscontact- finds contact information field labelsaddress- finds address form labels
Step 3. Edit the strings you want to change.
Step 4. Save.
Specific examples:
- “Continue to shipping” - the button between customer info and shipping steps
- “Return to cart” - link on the checkout page back to cart
- “Order summary” - the heading above the order details panel
- “Pay now” - the final payment button
If your store sells in more than one language, see how to translate text manually in Shopify.
How to customise the Shopify checkout visually
Text string editing changes labels. For visual branding (logo, colours, fonts):
Step 1. Go to Settings (in Shopify Admin).
Step 2. Click Checkout.
Step 3. Under Checkout customization, click Customize.
Step 4. The Checkout Editor opens. Here you can:
- Upload your store logo
- Set the banner image/colour
- Choose the background colour and font
- Adjust form elements and button styling
Step 5. Save and publish.
This visual customisation is available on all Shopify plans.
To change shipping labels and rate names, see how to change shipping text in Shopify.
What can I customise at checkout on the standard Shopify plan?
On standard Shopify plans (Basic, Shopify, Advanced):
- Logo and branding in the Checkout Editor
- Checkout text via Edit default theme content
- App blocks on the Thank you and Order status pages, added in the checkout editor
- Tracking pixels, through Settings > Customer events
- Shipping rate names (controlled in Settings > Shipping)
What you cannot do on standard plans:
- Add custom HTML/CSS to the checkout page
- Add custom fields or elements (gift message, order notes that appear in checkout)
- Modify the checkout layout substantially
Shopify Plus checkout customisation
Shopify Plus stores can add fields, banners and custom logic to the checkout steps with checkout UI extensions (installed as apps and placed in the checkout editor) and Shopify Functions.
This covers:
- Custom checkout fields
- Banners, trust badges and guarantee messaging inside the checkout steps
- Custom validation and other checkout logic, through Shopify Functions
checkout.liquid has been retired. Shopify switched it off for the Information, Shipping and Payment steps on August 13, 2024 and for the Thank you and Order status pages on August 28, 2025. To move old customisations over, see migrating from checkout.liquid to checkout extensions.
Fudge, the AI operator for Shopify stores, does not edit the checkout steps themselves; checkout belongs to Shopify and your payment apps. It works on everything before it, such as the cart page and cart drawer, where a delivery note or trust row can be described in plain English and drafted in your theme.
Common checkout text changes
“Pay now” to “Complete order” - “Complete order” sounds less transactional to some shoppers.
“Continue to shipping” to “Choose delivery” - clearer phrasing for stores with multiple delivery methods.
“Contact information” to “Your details” - slightly warmer phrasing for lifestyle brands.
Currency and cart labels - match the terminology used elsewhere on your store (e.g., if your store says “bag” instead of “cart”, the checkout can too).
Adding trust elements to checkout
The Additional scripts field no longer works for this. Additional scripts on the Thank you and Order status pages were turned off for Plus stores on August 28, 2025 and for other plans on August 26, 2026.
Add trust or post-purchase content to the Thank you and Order status pages with app blocks in the checkout editor (Settings > Checkout > Customize). Add tracking through Settings > Customer events.
For the checkout steps themselves (before the order is placed), branding in the checkout editor is the main option on standard plans.
For trust badges in the cart, see how to add trust badges to Shopify checkout.
FAQ
Why can't I change checkout text directly in the Theme Editor preview?
Checkout strings live in your theme's language file, not in section settings. The Theme Editor preview lets you click and edit section content, but the checkout's labels and buttons are language-file entries. Edit them via Online Store → Themes → three-dot menu (…) → Edit default theme content, in the Checkout & system tab.
Do I need Shopify Plus to change checkout text?
No. The language editor (which covers most checkout text) is available on all plans. Shopify Plus is only required to add fields or content inside the checkout steps, through checkout UI extensions. Text-only changes work on Basic, Shopify, and Advanced.
Can I add custom fields like a gift message at checkout?
On non-Plus plans, apps can't add fields to the checkout steps; collect it on the cart page instead (cart attributes or the order note). On Shopify Plus, yes, with a checkout UI extension.
Why don't my checkout label changes appear after saving?
Two common causes: you edited a draft theme but your live theme is published, or your store has multiple active locales and you only edited the English file. Each locale has its own language file — repeat the edits for every active language.
Will changing checkout button text from "Pay now" affect conversion?
Minimally, in either direction. "Pay now" is the default and shoppers expect it. Alternatives like "Complete order" or "Place order" can fit certain brand voices but rarely produce a meaningful conversion lift. Don't expect this to be a top-of-list optimisation lever.
