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# How to match the upsell variant to the product in the cart (Variant matching)

**Variant matching shows the upsell in the same option as the shopper's product.** If someone is viewing or has a *Black, Size M* jacket, a matching beanie is offered in *Black* instead of the default color. You choose which option to match on (for example Color), and what to show when there's no match.

- **Where:** open an offer → **Offers** tab → **Variant matching**
- **Works with:** Specific Products and automatic product sources
- **Previously:** *Variant Smart Rules*


![Variant matching: a black jacket in the cart shows the matching black beanie instead of the default color](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/b/f/a/abfa0cd47f75e80/variant-matching-example_1s38z9o.png)

## Set up variant matching

1. Open the offer and go to the **Offers** tab.
2. Under **Variant matching**, turn on **Match the variant to the product the shopper is viewing or has in cart**.
3. Choose the **Option to match on**, for example *Color*, *Size* or *Flavor*, or **Any shared option**.
4. Choose what happens **If no matching variant is found**:
   - **Use the default variant**
   - **Use the first variant**
5. Save.

## Requirements

- The upsell product needs **more than one variant**.
- The upsell product and the shopper's product need to **share an option name** (for example both have *Color*). Option names must match.
- With **Automatic** or **From Collections or Tags** sources, products are chosen for each shopper, so matching uses whichever option the recommended product shares with the shopper's product.

## Examples

- **Phone cases:** match on *Model* so an iPhone 16 buyer sees the iPhone 16 case.
- **Apparel accessories:** match on *Color* so the socks match the shoes.
- **Refills:** match on *Scent* or *Flavor* so the refill matches the product in the cart.

## Related settings

- **Require variant selection** (Behavior tab): make shoppers choose a variant before adding, with nothing pre-selected.
- **Image order** (Offers tab): choose which product images show and in what order.

## FAQ

**Why is variant matching unavailable?**
Either a selected product has only one variant, or the selected products don't share any option names.

**What if the shopper's product has a variant the upsell doesn't?**
The offer falls back to the default or first variant, depending on your setting.

## Related articles

- [How to show variants in a certain order on an upsell](https://help.upsellplus.com/en/article/how-to-show-variants-in-a-certain-order-on-an-upsell-8iw2p1/)
- [How to make a variant selection required on checkout upsells](https://help.upsellplus.com/en/article/how-to-make-a-variant-selection-required-on-checkout-upsells-1y0p04d/)
- [How to show an upsell only when certain conditions are met (Targeting rules)](https://help.upsellplus.com/en/article/how-to-show-an-upsell-only-when-conditions-are-met-targeting-rules-1xss0u3/)