Each [metafield](/docs/apps/build/custom-data/metafields) and [metafield definition](/docs/apps/build/custom-data/metafields/definitions) has a type, which defines the type of information that it can store. The metafield types have built-in validation and [Liquid](/docs/api/liquid/objects/metafield) support. ## How it works For metafield definitions, the type is enforced across every instance of the resource that owns the metafield definition. For example, if you create a metafield definition called "Ingredients" with the type `multi_line_text_field` with an owner type of `PRODUCT`, then the metafield's type will be `multi_line_text_field` for every product resource.

When using the Admin API to read and write metafields, the value is always entered and stored as a string, regardless of type. ## Supported types Metafields and metafield definitions can have any of the types specified in the following table. | Type | Description | Example value | Value type | [Translatable](/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/mutations/translationsRegister) | [Market localizable](/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/mutations/marketLocalizationsRegister) | Max length (characters) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | `boolean` | A true or false value. | 
true
| boolean | no | no | 65k | | `color` | The hexadecimal code for a color. | 
#fff123
| string | no | no | 65k | | `date` | A date in [ISO 8601](https://www.iso.org/iso-8601-date-and-time-format.html) format without a presumed timezone. | 
2022-02-02
| string | no | no | 65k | | `date_time` | A date and time in [ISO 8601](https://www.iso.org/iso-8601-date-and-time-format.html) format without a presumed timezone. Defaults to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). | 
2024-01-01T12:30:00
| string | no | no | 65k | | `dimension` | A value and a unit of length. Valid unit values: `in`, `ft`, `yd`, `mm`, `cm`, `m` | 
{ 
 "value": 25.0, 
 "unit": "cm"
}
| JSON object | no | no | 65k | | `id` | A unique single-line text field. You can add [validations](/docs/apps/build/custom-data/metafields/list-of-validation-options) for `min`, `max`, and `regex`. | 
1234
| string | no | no | 2048 | | `json` | A JSON-serializable value. This can be an object, an array, a string, a number, a boolean, or a null value. | 
{ 
 "ingredient": "flour", 
 "amount": 0.3
}
| JSON data | yes | no | 2M | | `link` | A text and URL pairing that can be used to store link content. | 
{ 
 "text": "Learn more", 
 "url": "https://shopify.com"
}
| JSON data | yes | no | 65k | | `money` | A numeric amount, with a currency code that matches the store's currency.

You can [localize money metafields to a market](https://help.shopify.com/manual/markets/languages/translate-adapt-app#create-custom-content-for-a-market), but you can't translate them to a different language or locale. | 
{
 "amount": "5.99", 
 "currency_code": "CAD"
}
| JSON object | no | yes | 65k | | `multi_line_text_field` | A multi-line text field. | 
Ingredients
Flour
Water
Milk
Eggs
| string | yes | no | 65k | | `number_decimal` | A number with decimal places in the range of +/-9999999999999.999999999. | 
10.4
| string | no | no | 65k | | `number_integer` | A whole number in the range of +/-9,007,199,254,740,991. | 
10
| integer | no | no | 65k | | `rating` | A rating measured on a specified scale. [Validations](/docs/apps/build/custom-data/metafields/list-of-validation-options) are required for ratings and support `min` and `max`. | 
{ 
 "value": "3.5", 
 "scale_min": "1.0", 
 "scale_max": "5.0"
}
| JSON object | no | no | 65k | | `rich_text_field` |

A rich text field supporting headings, lists, links, bold, and italics.

Learn more about [rich text formatting](#rich-text-formatting).

| 
{
 "type": "root",
 "children": [
  {
   "type": "paragraph",
   "children": [
    {
     "type": "text",
     "value": "Bold text.",
     "bold": true
    }
   ]
  }
 ]
}
| JSON object | yes | no | 65k | | `single_line_text_field` | A single-line text field. | 
VIP shipping method
| string | yes | no | 65k | | `url` | A URL with one of the allowed schemes: `https`, `http`, `mailto`, `sms`, `tel`. | 
https://www.shopify.com
| string | yes | no | 2,048 | | `volume` | A value and a unit of volume. Valid unit values: `ml`, `cl`, `l`, `m3` (cubic meters), `us_fl_oz`, `us_pt`, `us_qt`, `us_gal`, `imp_fl_oz`, `imp_pt`, `imp_qt`, `imp_gal`. | 
{ 
 "value": 20.0, 
 "unit": "ml"
}
| JSON object | no | no | 65k | | `weight` | A value and a unit of weight. Valid unit values: `oz`, `lb`, `g`, `kg` | 
{ 
 "value": 2.5, 
 "unit": "kg"
}
| JSON object | no | no | 65k | ### Reference types Reference metafields enable you to store references to Shopify resources. | Type | Description | Example value | Value type | [Translatable](/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/mutations/translationsRegister) | [Market localizable](/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/mutations/marketLocalizationsRegister) | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | `collection_reference` | A reference to a collection on the online store. | 
gid://shopify/
Collection/1
| string | no | yes | | `customer_reference` | A reference to a customer on the online store. | 
gid://shopify/Customer/1
| string | no | no | | `file_reference` | A reference to a file on the online store. The default value is `GenericFile`. You can use [validations](/docs/apps/build/custom-data/metafields/list-of-validation-options) to add other file types (for example, `Image`). | 
gid://shopify/
MediaImage/123
| string | yes | no | | `metaobject_reference` | A reference to a metaobject entry. You can use [validations](/docs/apps/build/custom-data/metafields/list-of-validation-options) to set which metaobject definition the metaobject must be. | 
gid://shopify/Metaobject/123
| string | no | yes | | `mixed_reference` | A reference to one of many metaobject definitions. Unlike `metaobject_reference` which only allows for a single metaobject definition to be set, mixed references allow for metaobjects that belong to different definitions. | 
gid://shopify/Metaobject/123
| string | no | no | | `page_reference` | A reference to a page on the online store. | 
gid://shopify/
Page/1
| string | no | yes | | `product_reference` | A reference to a product on the online store. | 
gid://shopify/
Product/1
| string | no | yes | | `product_taxonomy_value_reference` | A reference to a product taxonomy value. You can add [validations](/docs/apps/build/custom-data/metafields/list-of-validation-options) to limit which taxonomy values can be selected. Refer to [Shopify Standard Product Taxonomy](https://shopify.github.io/product-taxonomy) for available values. | 
gid://shopify/TaxonomyValue/1
| string | no | no | | `variant_reference` | A reference to a product variant on the online store. | 
gid://shopify/
ProductVariant/1
| string | no | yes | ### List types List metafields enable you to store multiple values in a single metafield. The value must be provided as a JSON array. You can implement list metafields on the online store [using sections and blocks](/docs/storefronts/themes/best-practices/templates-sections-blocks#metafields). The type of list determines the implementation. For example, you could add a list of product references as a dynamic source to a custom block, or you could add a list of single line text fields to a text or rich text section. > Note: > If you delete a product or variant from a store, then the product or variant is automatically removed from all list metafields that reference it. The following list types are supported: | Type | Description | Example value | [Translatable](/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/mutations/translationsRegister) | [Market localizable](/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/mutations/marketLocalizationsRegister) | |---|---|---|---|---| | `list.collection_reference` | A list of collection references. | 
[ 
"gid://shopify/Collection/1", 
"gid://shopify/Collection/2"
]
| no | no | | `list.color` | A list of hexadecimal color codes. | 
[ 
"#FFF123", 
"#E6E6FA", 
"#00FF00"
]
| no | no | | `list.customer_reference` | A comma-separated list of references to customers on the online store. | 
[ 
"gid://shopify/Customer/1", 
"gid://shopify/Customer/2"
]
| no | no | | `list.date` | A list of dates in [ISO 8601](https://www.iso.org/iso-8601-date-and-time-format.html) format without presumed timezones. | 
[ 
"2022-01-01", 
"2022-05-05"
]
| no | no | | `list.date_time` | A list of dates and times in [ISO 8601](https://www.iso.org/iso-8601-date-and-time-format.html) format without presumed timezones. Defaults to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). | 
[ 
"2024-01-01T12:30:00", 
"2024-05-01T12:30:00"
]
| no | no | | `list.dimension` | A list of values and a unit of length. Valid unit values: `in`, `ft`, `yd`, `mm`, `cm`, `m`. | 
[ 
 { 
 "value": 25.0, 
 "unit": "cm"
 },
 { 
 "value": 35.0, 
 "unit": "cm"
 } 
]
| no | no | | `list.file_reference` | A list reference to a file on the online store. The default value is `GenericFile`. You can use [validations](/docs/apps/build/custom-data/metafields/list-of-validation-options) to add other file types (for example, `Image`) | 
[ 
"gid://shopify/
MediaImage/123
", 
"gid://shopify/
MediaImage/456 
]
| yes | no | | `list.id` | A list of unique single-line text fields. You can add [validations](/docs/apps/build/custom-data/metafields/list-of-validation-options) for `min`, `max`, and `regex`. | 
[ 
"1234", 
"5678"
]
| string | no | no | | `list.link` | A list of text and URL pairings that can be used to store a collection of links. | 
[
 { 
 "text": "Start a business", 
 "url": "https://shopify.com"
 }, 
 { 
 "text": "Read the docs", 
 "url": "https://shopify.dev/docs" 
 }
]
| yes | no | | `list.metaobject_reference` | A list reference to one or more metaobject entries that belong to a single metaobject definition. Unlike `list.mixed_reference`, all metaobject entries referenced must be of the same definition. | 
[ 
"gid://shopify/Metaobject/123", 
"gid://shopify/Metaobject/456"
]
 | no | no |
| `list.mixed_reference` | A list reference to one or more metaobject entries that may belong to different metaobject definitions. | 
[ 
"gid://shopify/Metaobject/123", 
"gid://shopify/Metaobject/456"
] 
 | no | no |
| `list.number_decimal`  | A list of numbers with decimal places in the range of +/-9999999999999.999999999.  | 
[ 
"10.4", 
"20.5",
"30.6" 
] 
  | no | no |
| `list.number_integer`  | A list of whole numbers in the range of +/-9,007,199,254,740,991.  | 
[ 
"10", 
"20", 
"30"
] 
  | no | no |
| `list.page_reference`  | A list of references to pages on the online store.  |
[
"gid://shopify/
Page/1", 
"gid://shopify/
Page/2"
]
  | no | no |
| `list.product_reference`  | A list of product references.  | 
[ 
"gid://shopify/Product/1", 
"gid://shopify/Product/2"
] 
  | no | no |
| `list.product_taxonomy_value_reference` | A list of references to product taxonomy values. You can add [validations](/docs/apps/build/custom-data/metafields/list-of-validation-options) to limit which taxonomy values can be selected. Refer to [Shopify Standard Product Taxonomy](https://shopify.github.io/product-taxonomy) for available values. | 
["gid://shopify/TaxonomyValue/1", "gid://shopify/TaxonomyValue/2"]
 | string | no | no |
| `list.rating`  | A list of ratings measured on a specified scale. [Validations](/docs/apps/build/custom-data/metafields/list-of-validation-options) are required for ratings and support `min` and `max`.|
[
 { 
 "value": "3.5", 
 "scale_min": "1.0", 
 "scale_max": "5.0"
 }, 
 { 
 "value": "4.5", 
 "scale_min": "1.0", 
 "scale_max": "5.0"
 }
] 
  | no | no |
| `list.single_line_text_field`  | A list of single-line text fields. | 
[ 
"VIP shipping method", 
"Standard shipping method"
] 
  | yes | no |
| `list.url`  | A list of URLs with one of the allowed schemes: `https`, `http`, `mailto`, `sms`, `tel`.  | 
[ 
"https://www.shopify.com", 
"https://www.shopify.dev"
] 
  | yes | no |
| `list.variant_reference`  | A list of references to a product variant on the online store. | 
[ 
"gid://shopify/ProductVariant/1",
"gid://shopify/ProductVariant/2"
]
  | no | no |
| `list.volume`  | A list of values and a unit of volume. Valid unit values: `ml`, `cl`, `l`, `m3` (cubic meters), `us_fl_oz`, `us_pt`, `us_qt`, `us_gal`, `imp_fl_oz`, `imp_pt`, `imp_qt`, `imp_gal`.   | 
[ 
 {
 "value": 20.0, 
 "unit": "ml"
 }, 
 {
 "value": 40.0, 
 "unit": "ml"
 }
] 
  | no | no |
| `list.weight`  | A list of values and a unit of weight. Valid unit values: `oz`, `lb`, `g`, `kg`  | 
[ 
 { 
 "value": 2.5, 
 "unit": "kg"
 },
 { 
 "value": 4.5, 
 "unit": "kg"
 } 
]
  | no | no |

### Lists type limits

The following table indicates the maximum number of values that each list type metafield can reference:

| List type                  | Maximum items              |
| -------------------------- | ---------------------------|
| Collection reference       | 128                        |
| Customer reference         | 128                        |
| Date and time              | 128                        |
| Decimal                    | 128                        |
| Dimension                  | 128                        |
| File reference             | 128                        |
| Integer                    | 128                        |
| JSON                       | 128                        |
| Link                       | 128                        |
| Metaobject reference       | 256                        |
| Mixed reference            | 128                        |
| Money                      | 128                        |
| Multi line text            | 128                        |
| Page reference             | 128                        |
| Product reference          | 128                        |
| Product taxonomy reference | 128                        |
| Rating                     | 128                        |
| Single line text           | 128                        |
| URL                        | 128                        |
| Variant reference          | 128                        |
| Volume                     | 128                        |
| Weight                     | 128                        |

> Note:

> - Each item in the list has the same character limits as its corresponding single value type (for example, each text field in a list.single_line_text_field can store up to 65k characters).
> - You can use the `list.min` and `list.max` validations through the Shopify Admin API to set custom minimum and maximum limits for the number of items in a list, as long as they don't exceed the maximum items shown above.

### Rich text formatting

The `rich_text_field` metafield type accepts a JSON object that uses the following general structure:



























































































































































































































































































The rich text editor, showing the words 'This is italicized text and' in italics, and the words 'a bolded hyperlink' as bolded hyperlink to another website.


Refer to the following code samples for examples of the objects that can be used to represent fragments of rich text:





























































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































## Next steps

- Learn how to [manage metafields](/docs/apps/build/custom-data/metafields/manage-metafields) using the GraphQL Admin API.
- Learn how to create [metafield definitions](/docs/apps/build/custom-data/metafields/definitions) to include data validation for metafield values.