Apply a fixed-amount discount once per order in Shopify
A fixed-amount discount on specific products applies to every eligible item in the order unless you stop it. This tutorial sets up MUG5, worth $5 off the Trail Mug, with the discount applied once per order, running 11 to 30 November 2026.
Written · Shopify admin, desktop steps · 4 minutes read
The worked example
| Code | MUG5 |
| Value | $5 off each Trail Mug |
| Applies to | Trail Mug only |
| Once per order | Checked |
| Active | 11 to 30 November 2026 |
| 3 mugs, $54.00 | $5.00 off, pays $49.00 |
| Without the box | $15.00 off, pays $39.00 |
Download the planner: once-per-order-comparison.csv (132 bytes).
The worked example carts with the once-per-order box checked: one $5 discount per order, whatever the number of mugs.
1Open Discounts and start a new discount
From your Shopify admin, go to Discounts, then click Create discount. From the discount type menu, click Amount off products. A once-per-order limit belongs to an amount off products discount: it applies to the products you choose.
2Choose the code method
Under Method, select Discount code. Then enter the code name in the Discount code section, or click Generate code for a random one. This tutorial uses MUG5.
3Set the value to $5 fixed
In the Value section, select Fixed amount and enter 5. An amount off discount does not apply to shipping costs.
4Pick the product
In the Applies to section, select Specific products, then add the Trail Mug. Only that product gets the discount.
5Check Only apply discount once per order
Check Only apply discount once per order to limit the customer to using the code only one time per order. Otherwise, the discount applies to all eligible products in the order: three mugs would take $15 off instead of $5.
6Set eligibility and dates
In the Eligibility section, select All customers for a public code. In the Active dates section, set the start date to 11 November 2026 and click Set end date to set the end date to 30 November 2026. Start and end times follow the time zone set in your Shopify admin.
7Save
Click Save. The code appears on the Discounts page and is ready to use.
The arithmetic
With the box checked, the $5 discount applies once per order, whatever the number of mugs.
| Mugs | Order total | $5 off (once) | Pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mug | $18.00 | $5.00 | $13.00 |
| 3 mugs | $54.00 | $5.00 | $49.00 |
| 5 mugs | $90.00 | $5.00 | $85.00 |
Without the checkbox, the $5 discount applies to every eligible mug: 3 mugs take $15 off and pay $39, and 5 mugs take $25 off and pay $65. The checkbox is what turns a per-item discount into a once-per-order discount.
Held at the counter
The box only exists for fixed-amount product discounts. The once-per-order checkbox is offered when you create a fixed value discount code that applies to specific products or collections. A percentage code does not offer it.
Once per order means once, whatever the cart holds. Five mugs still take one $5 discount. If the offer is meant to reward bulk buying, leave the box unchecked and let the discount apply to every mug.
The box does not limit the customer to one order. A customer can use the code again on a new order. To stop that, check Limit to one per customer in the Maximum discount uses section.
Sources
- Amount off discounts — Shopify's help pages: the Only apply discount once per order checkbox, and the rule that the discount otherwise applies to all eligible products in the order.