# Types

Each [metafield](/docs/theme/theme-features/custom-data/metafields/overview) has a type, which defines the type of information that it can store. The metafield types have built-in validation and [Liquid](/docs/theme/references/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 "shipping" 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.

**Metafield Types**

```json
{
  "product": {
    "metafields": {
      "namespace": "custom",
      "key": "shipping",
      "type": "multi_line_text_field",
      "value": "All health potions are made to order, so it might take up to 2 weeks before your order can be shipped.\n\nThanks for your patience!"
    }
  }
}
```

## Supported types

Metafields can have any of the types included in the tables below:

| Type | Description | Example value | Value type |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `boolean` | A true or false value. | true | boolean |
| `color` | The hexadecimal code for a color. | #FFA500 | string |
| `date` | A date in [ISO 8601](https://www.iso.org/iso-8601-date-and-time-format.html) format without a presumed timezone. | 2030-12-31 | string |
| `date_time` | Date and time in [ISO 8601](https://www.iso.org/iso-8601-date-and-time-format.html) format without a presumed timezone. | 2023-07-31 12:20:20 | string |
| `dimension` | A value and a unit of length. Valid unit values: `mm`, `cm`, `m`, `in`, `ft`, `yd`. | {
    "unit": "MILLIMETERS",
    "value": 98.2
} | JSON object |
| `json` | A JSON-serializable value. This can be an object, an array, a string, a number, a boolean, or a null value. | {
    "temperature": 700,
    "unit": "degrees",
    "scale": "Fahrenheit"
} | JSON object |
| `multi_line_text_field` | A multi-line text field. | All health potions are made to order, so it might take up to 2 weeks before your order can be shipped.

Thanks for your patience! | string |
| `number_decimal` | A number with decimal. | 8.4 | number |
| `number_integer` | A integer number. | 3 | number |
| `rating` | A rating measured on a specified scale. | {
    "scale\_max": "10.0",
    "scale\_min": "0.0",
    "value": 4.5
} | JSON object |
| `single_line_text_field` | A single-line text field. | Take with a meal. | string |
| `url` | A URL with one of the allowed schemes: `https`, `http`. | https://www.shoplazza.com/ | string |
| `volume` | A value and a unit of volume. Valid unit values: `ml`, `cl`, `L`, `m3`, `fl oz`, `pt`, `qt`, `gal`, `imp fl oz`, `imp pt`, `imp qt`, `imp gal`. | {
    "unit": "MILLILITERS",
    "value": 250
} | JSON object |
| `weight` | A value and a unit of weight. Valid unit values: `kg`, `g`, `lb`, `oz` | {
    "unit": "GRAMS",
    "value": 50
} | JSON object |

## Reference types

Reference metafields enable you to store references to Shoplazza resources.

|
Type

 |

Description

 |

Example value

 |

Type

 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|

`collection_reference`

 |

A reference to a collection on the online store.

 |

[collection object](/docs/theme/references/liquid/objects/collection)

 |

JSON object

 |
|

`file_reference`

 |

A reference to a file on the online store. The default value is `Image`.

 |

{
"mediaContentType": "IMAGE",
"image": [image object](/docs/theme/references/liquid/objects/image)
}

 |

JSON object

 |
|

`product_reference`

 |

A reference to a product on the online store.

 |

[product object](/docs/theme/references/liquid/objects/product)

 |

JSON object

 |