An interface circuit in an electronic device (such as an access point) may utilize a configurable wake-up-frame format. During operation, the interface circuit may receive a wake-up-radio (WUR)-setup request associated with a recipient electronic device, where the WUR-setup request specifies a proposed configurable wake-up-frame format. In response, the electronic device may determine the configurable wake-up-frame format to be used based at least in part on the proposed configurable wake-up-frame format. Then, the interface circuit may provide a WUR-setup response intended for the recipient electronic device, where the WUR-setup response specifies the configurable wake-up-frame format selected for use. Note that the configurable wake-up-frame format may specify a payload length in a wake-up frame and/or one or more operations of at least one of the recipient electronic device or the electronic device after the wake-up frame is transmitted by the electronic device.