---
title: "Why isn't my option charging a fee?"
categories: [registrations_faq]
updated: 2026-09-23
summary: An Option field only collects a choice; to charge for each choice, use an Option Fee field.
---
## Option fields don't have prices

There are two fields that look alike on the public form:

-   An **Option** field is a data field. Registrants pick one choice from a list, and nothing is charged.
-   An **Option Fee** field is a fee field. Each choice has its own price, and the registrant is charged for the one they pick.

If you listed programs or categories with their prices in an **Option** field, registrants can select them but won't be charged.

## Switch to an Option Fee field

A field's type can't be changed, so add a new field:

1.  On the **Edit Form** page, click **Add a Form Element**, then **Create a Custom Element**.
2.  Under the fee types, choose **Option Fee**.
3.  Add the same choices and enter a price for each.
4.  Remove the old Option field. If the form is live and people have already answered it, hide it instead. See [Why can't I delete a field from my registration form?](/kb/why-cant-i-delete-a-field-from-my-registration-form/)

People who registered before the change weren't charged for their choice. Find them in your reports and add the fee to their carts.

## Letting people choose more than one

An Option Fee field allows one choice. If registrants should be able to pick several priced items, for example more than one program, add a **Fixed Fee** field for each item instead. Each one appears as its own checkbox.

See [Option Fields & Option Fee Fields](/kb/option-fields-option-fee-fields/) and [Registration Fee Fields](/kb/registration-fee-fields/) for more.