Shopify questionAnswer4 min read
How to Translate Your Shopify Store Into Other Languages
Shopify handles languages natively, and its free Translate & Adapt app covers most stores. Here is how to set it up, when a paid translation app is worth it and what can't be translated.
Key takeaways
- Shopify supports multiple languages natively: up to 20 on Basic, Grow and Advanced, and up to 30 on Shopify Plus. You add them under
Settings > Languages. - Shopify's own Translate & Adapt app is free. Its listing says it includes Shopify's automatic translations for up to 2 languages, or 8 in select countries, plus unlimited manual editing.
- Each published language gets its own URLs, such as example.com/fr, so translated pages can rank in local search.
- Machine translation is a first draft. Product pages, checkout-adjacent text and legal policies need a human check in each language.
- Who it is for
- Stores selling to other language markets
- Time needed
- 5 minutes to read
- What you need
- A theme with a language selector
To translate a Shopify store, add and publish a language in Settings > Languages, then translate your content with Shopify's free Translate & Adapt app or a third-party translation app. Shopify handles the language URLs and the checkout, which already includes translated content for 49 languages. Most small stores need nothing more than Translate & Adapt plus a native speaker's review.
Multilingual setup is part of my development work, so I see both the setup and the mistakes that follow it. Every Shopify limit below was checked on help.shopify.com and the Shopify App Store on 7 November 2026.
How translation works on Shopify
Shopify separates two jobs. The platform stores languages, URLs and translations. An app does the translating. When you add a language, Translate & Adapt is installed automatically.
- Check your theme. Shopify requires a theme that supports multiple languages and has a language selector. Free Shopify themes do. Older custom themes may need work.
- Add the language. Go to
Settings > Languages, add it, and keep it unpublished while you translate. - Translate. Use automatic translation for a first pass, then edit products, collections, pages, policies, navigation and theme text.
- Assign it to markets. Languages are assigned to domains, and each market uses a domain. Make sure the right market shows the right language.
- Publish. Your URLs then change to include the language code, for example example.com/fr and example.com/de.
Shopify translation apps compared
| Option | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Translate & Adapt | Free | Most stores, 1 or 2 extra languages |
| Third-party apps | Usually monthly | Many languages, glossaries, team workflows |
| CSV import | Free | Sending files to a translator |
| Human translator | Per word or project | Brand copy and legal pages |
The free app covers the essentials: side-by-side manual editing, AI translation from Shopify, bulk and SEO field translation, URL translation and adapting content for markets that share a language, such as US and UK English. Auto-sync of translations is available in select countries only.
A paid third-party app earns its fee when you run several languages, need a glossary so product terms translate consistently, or have a team of translators. Check that any app writes translations into Shopify's native translation storage, so you can switch apps later without losing your work.
What can't be translated
Shopify lists a few gaps worth knowing before you start:
- Tags on products, articles and blogs can't be translated, so don't show raw tags as customer-facing filters in a translated store.
- The word "products" in product URLs stays in English, even though the rest of the handle can be translated.
- Default SEO titles and descriptions can't be translated while they use default settings. Write a custom SEO title first, then translate it.
By country
Netherlands and Belgium: Dutch is the language that converts for Dutch shoppers, and Belgium needs Dutch and French. Your policies and checkout information should be in the customer's language too. My guide to Shopify Markets for the Netherlands and Europe covers the market setup around the translation.
US: Spanish is the common second language. Add it as its own language rather than a separate store.
UK and Australia: no translation is needed, but Translate & Adapt can adapt spelling and wording for each English-speaking market, such as "color" for the US and "colour" for the UK.
Mistakes I fix most often
- Publishing straight after auto-translation. Sizes, materials and care instructions come out wrong, and returns follow.
- Forgetting theme text and apps. Buttons, cart messages and review widgets stay in English.
- Running a separate store per language. One store with Markets is usually simpler. See Shopify Markets vs multiple stores for when a second store does make sense.
- Translating, then never updating. New products launch in one language only.
What to do next
- Pick one language first, the one your next market speaks, and translate your top products and policies fully.
- Use Translate & Adapt for the first pass, then have a native speaker review product pages and checkout-facing text.
- Set custom SEO titles in each language so the translated pages can rank.
- Budget for the full setup. My international store cost guide breaks down translation, Markets and payments.
- Need help? I set up multilingual stores as part of Shopify development, which starts from $300 with a fixed quote.
Free tools
Check your own store
Free, no sign-up. Each one runs a part of this guide for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Shopify translation app?
For most stores, Shopify's own Translate & Adapt. It is free, installs automatically when you add a language, and includes automatic translation for up to 2 languages, or 8 in select countries. Paid third-party apps make sense for many languages, glossaries or translation teams.
How many languages can a Shopify store have?
Up to 20 languages on the Basic, Grow and Advanced plans, and up to 30 on Shopify Plus, according to Shopify's help center.
Is Shopify translation free?
Adding languages is included in every plan and Translate & Adapt is free. Automatic translations by Shopify are limited to 2 languages, or 8 in select countries, after which you translate manually, import a CSV or use another app.
Does translating my Shopify store help SEO?
Yes, when done properly. Each published language gets its own URLs, so translated pages can rank in local search. Google says localized versions only count as duplicates if the main content stays untranslated, so translate the full page.
Is the Shopify checkout translated?
Yes. Shopify's checkout includes translated content for 49 languages, so customers see it in their language once you publish that language.
Can I translate product tags on Shopify?
No. Shopify says product, article and blog tags can't be translated. If your filters show raw tags, switch to metafield-based filters before launching a translated store.
Sources
- Requirements for selling in multiple languages, Shopify Help Center
- Managing languages, Shopify Help Center
- Translate & Adapt, Shopify Help Center
- Translate & Adapt, Shopify App Store
- Tell Google about localized versions of your page, Google Search Central
Related services and work
I'm a Shopify developer and CRO specialist. I have built and improved Shopify stores since 2018, completed more than 1,000 projects, and hold a 4.96 average rating across 719 client reviews.
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