EStore Tools

WooCommerce Text String Changer

Change any WooCommerce wording, in the classic checkout and the block-based Cart and Checkout, without a translation plugin.

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Your details

Match the original text exactly, including capitalization and punctuation.

Your snippet

woocommerce-change-text.php
<?php
/**
 * Change WooCommerce wording on the classic (shortcode) checkout and the block-based Cart/Checkout.
 */

add_filter( 'gettext_woocommerce', 'ea_change_checkout_text', 20, 3 );
function ea_change_checkout_text( $translated, $text, $domain ) {
	$strings = array(
		'Place order' => 'Confirm & pay',
		'Proceed to Checkout' => 'Continue to checkout',
	);
	return isset( $strings[ $text ] ) ? $strings[ $text ] : $translated;
}

add_action( 'wp_enqueue_scripts', 'ea_change_checkout_text_blocks' );
function ea_change_checkout_text_blocks() {
	if ( ! is_checkout() && ! is_cart() ) {
		return;
	}
	wp_enqueue_script( 'wp-hooks' );
	$strings = array(
		'Place order' => 'Confirm & pay',
		'Proceed to Checkout' => 'Continue to checkout',
	);
	$js      = 'wp.hooks.addFilter("i18n.gettext_woocommerce","ea/change-text",function(t,text){var s=' . wp_json_encode( $strings ) . ';return (s[text]!==undefined)?s[text]:t;});';
	wp_add_inline_script( 'wp-hooks', $js, 'after' );
}

The PHP filter (gettext_woocommerce) covers classic checkout pages, emails and admin text. The JS filter (i18n.gettext_woocommerce) covers the block-based Cart and Checkout, which render in the browser, not PHP.

As JSON for reference, the word list is: {"Place order":"Confirm & pay","Proceed to Checkout":"Continue to checkout"}

This matches whole strings exactly. If a string uses a placeholder (like a product name built with sprintf()), it usually can't be matched this way.

Two systems, one snippet

Every translatable WooCommerce string is wrapped in __( 'text', 'woocommerce' ). On classic (shortcode) pages, that call passes through the gettext_woocommerce filter before it's printed, so a PHP function can swap the exact text for something else.

The block-based Cart and Checkout are a React app, and their text goes through @wordpress/i18n in the browser instead of PHP. That package applies its own filter, i18n.gettext_woocommerce, registered with wp.hooks.addFilter(). The generated snippet enqueues a small inline script that adds this filter, so the same word list changes both.

WhereWhat runs the filterFilter name
Classic cart/checkout shortcodes, emails, adminPHPgettext_woocommerce
Block Cart and CheckoutJavaScript (@wordpress/i18n)i18n.gettext_woocommerce

Using the snippet

  1. 01

    Copy the exact original text

    Match capitalization and punctuation exactly, including trailing colons or ellipses; the filter does an exact string match.

  2. 02

    Paste the snippet

    Add it to a site-specific plugin or your child theme's functions.php.

  3. 03

    Check both checkouts

    If your theme still uses the [woocommerce_checkout] shortcode, test that page; if it uses the block-based Checkout page, test that one too. Many stores only need one.

For a fully translated multilingual store, use a translation plugin (Loco Translate, WPML, Polylang) instead: this snippet changes English wording, it doesn't create a second language, and it won't survive if a real translation .mo file already defines that string differently for a visitor's locale.

Questions people ask

Why didn't my text change on the checkout page?

Either the original text doesn't match exactly (check for a trailing space or different capitalization), or you're editing the wrong checkout: classic pages need the PHP filter, the block-based Checkout page needs the JS filter. This tool generates both, so add the whole snippet.

Can I change text that includes a placeholder, like a price or a product name?

This tool matches whole strings, so it works for static text like button labels and headings. Text built with sprintf() and a variable (like an error message that includes a product name) usually can't be matched as one fixed string; those need a more specific filter for that message.

Does this affect WooCommerce's own emails?

The PHP half does, since emails render through the same __( 'text', 'woocommerce' ) calls. The JS half only runs on pages that load the block Cart/Checkout scripts.

Will a WooCommerce update undo my changes?

No. The filter changes what's displayed at runtime; it doesn't touch WooCommerce's files, so it survives updates. If WooCommerce changes the original wording in a future version, your match will stop firing and you'll need to update the original text in the snippet.

Related tools

Add to Cart Button Text ChangerChange the Add to cart button text on the shop page, the product page, or both, for one product type, category or stock status.WooCommerce Checkout Field Editor Code GeneratorAdd a custom checkout field with code for the Checkout block, the classic checkout, or both.WooCommerce Email Placeholders ReferenceWhich order status change triggers which WooCommerce email, every placeholder each one supports, and a checklist for a missing email.WooCommerce Redirect Snippet GeneratorSend customers to a custom page after checkout, login, registration or add to cart, by product or user role.

Want this builtinto your store?

I'm Emmanuel, a Shopify and WooCommerce developer. If this tool pointed at something you'd rather have fixed for you (a faster store, cleaner product data, a migration, a custom feature), send me a note.

Emmanuel Asika

Emmanuel Asika

Shopify & WooCommerce developer, Dublin

I build and fix online stores: new builds, migrations, speed, SEO and the custom bits apps can't do.

hello@emmanuelasika.com
See my work

Last reviewed 30 September 2026.

Sources: WordPress Developer Reference: __() · WordPress Gutenberg source: @wordpress/i18n · WooCommerce source: Blocks/BlockTypes/Checkout.php