---
title: Metaobject - GraphQL Admin
description: |-
  An instance of custom structured data defined by a [`MetaobjectDefinition`](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/MetaobjectDefinition). [Metaobjects](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/custom-data#what-are-metaobjects) store reusable data that extends beyond Shopify's standard resources, such as product highlights, size charts, or custom content sections.

  Each metaobject includes fields that match the field types and validation rules specified in its definition, which also determines the metaobject's capabilities, such as storefront visibility, publishing and translation support. [`Metafields`](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/Metafield) can reference metaobjects to connect custom data with [`Product`](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/Product) objects, [`Collection`](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/Collection) objects, and other Shopify resources.
api_version: 2026-01
api_name: admin
type: object
api_type: graphql
source_url:
  html: https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/metaobject
  md: https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/metaobject.md
---

# Metaobject

object

Requires `read_metaobjects` access scope.

An instance of custom structured data defined by a [`MetaobjectDefinition`](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/MetaobjectDefinition). [Metaobjects](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/custom-data#what-are-metaobjects) store reusable data that extends beyond Shopify's standard resources, such as product highlights, size charts, or custom content sections.

Each metaobject includes fields that match the field types and validation rules specified in its definition, which also determines the metaobject's capabilities, such as storefront visibility, publishing and translation support. [`Metafields`](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/Metafield) can reference metaobjects to connect custom data with [`Product`](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/Product) objects, [`Collection`](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/Collection) objects, and other Shopify resources.

## Fields

* capabilities
* createdAt
* createdBy
* createdByApp
* createdByStaff
* definition
* displayName
* field
* fields
* handle
* id
* referencedBy
* thumbnailField
* type
* updatedAt
* staffMember: deprecated

***

## Map

### Fields and connections with this object

* [MetaobjectConnection.nodes](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/connections/MetaobjectConnection#returns-nodes)
* [MetaobjectDefinition.metaobjects](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/MetaobjectDefinition#field-MetaobjectDefinition.fields.metaobjects)
* [MetaobjectEdge.node](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/MetaobjectEdge#field-MetaobjectEdge.fields.node)

### Possible type in

* [Metafield​Reference](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/unions/MetafieldReference)
* [Metafield​Referencer](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/unions/MetafieldReferencer)

***

## Queries

* metaobject
* metaobjectByHandle
* metaobjects

***

## Metaobject Queries

### Queried by

* [metaobject](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/queries/metaobject)
* [metaobject​By​Handle](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/queries/metaobjectByHandle)
* [metaobjects](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/queries/metaobjects)

***

## Mutations

* metaobjectCreate
* metaobjectUpdate
* metaobjectUpsert

***

## Metaobject Mutations

### Mutated by

* [metaobject​Create](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/mutations/metaobjectCreate)
* [metaobject​Update](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/mutations/metaobjectUpdate)
* [metaobject​Upsert](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/mutations/metaobjectUpsert)

***

## Interfaces

* Node

***

## Metaobject Implements

### Implements

* [Node](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/interfaces/Node)