Jira time tracking lets you set an original estimate on a work item, log the time you spend on it, and see the time logged and time remaining in the Time tracking field of the details panel. To log time, open the work item, select More actions then Log work, or select the Time tracking field, fill in the Log time fields and select Save.
One limit to know before you plan a big piece of work: if a work item has more than 100 child work items, they can't be included in time tracking. Atlassian recommends keeping each work item to 100 children at most.
Time units Jira accepts
| Unit | Type it as | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks | w | 3w |
| Days | d | 2d |
| Hours | h | 4h |
| Minutes | m | 30m |
| A mix | Units separated by spaces | 2d 4h 30m |
If you type a number with no unit, such as 2 instead of 2h, Jira uses the default unit your admin has set. Out of the box that default is minutes, so a bare 2 can mean two minutes. Always add the letter.
Time estimates do what the label says: they state that a task should take no more than a certain number of hours. Scrum teams can use them, and for kanban teams time is the only estimation unit available.
Setting an original estimate
Before work starts, give the work item an estimate so you can compare it with the time it really takes. The field depends on your estimation method, which could be Original estimate, Work item count, a custom method, or story points for story and epic work types in software spaces.
- Select the work item.
- Choose the Original estimate, Story points or custom estimation field.
- Enter the time, or the number of story points, you think the work will take.
When Jira tracks progress on a board with time, it reads the Original Time Estimate field. The time tracking report then compares original and current estimates for every work item in the space and shows whether each one is ahead of or behind schedule.
How to log time in Jira
- Open the work item.
- Select More actions, then Log work. Or select the Time tracking field.
- Fill in the Log time fields.
- Select Save.
You need the Browse spaces and Work on work items permissions to log time. Turning time tracking on or off for the site needs an App admin. If you can't see the time tracking field at all, that's a question for your Jira admin. Command + K on a Mac or Ctrl + K on Windows opens the command palette if you'd rather use the keyboard.
Where logged time shows up
- The Time tracking field in a work item's details panel shows the time logged so far and the time remaining.
- Time tracking bars on work items let you monitor time spent at a glance.
- The time tracking report compares original and current estimates across the space.
- For velocity, Atlassian suggests a sprint burndown or the time tracking report.
Velocity matters because it's how a team learns its pace. As stories get finished sprint after sprint, the team tracks the estimation units it completes, which tells it how much it can take on next time and gives it confidence the work will get done.
Editing or deleting a work log
To change an entry, open the work item, go to the Work log in the activity section, find the entry and select Edit. You need the Edit own work logs or Edit all work logs permission. Deleting works the same way and needs the Delete own work logs or Delete all work logs permission.
Here's the detail that confuses people. When you edit or delete an entry, the earlier values don't change and are still used to work out the time remaining. If the remaining time looks wrong, correct it by hand in the Edit work log modal. When you delete an entry, you can let Jira add the deleted time back to the remaining estimate, or set a new figure yourself.
Switching on time tracking for a board
In a company-managed space, a space administrator or board administrator can change this, and only for Scrum boards. Next to the board name select More actions (•••), then Board settings, then Estimation.
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| Time tracking setting | How Jira tracks progress |
|---|---|
| None | Uses whatever you chose as the estimation method |
| Remaining estimate and time spent | Subtracts the Time spent field from the original estimate |
Atlassian notes it's common for teams to estimate in one unit and track progress with another, for example story points for planning and time spent for tracking. In a team-managed space, estimation is off by default, and Atlassian warns that turning it on causes several changes, so read up before you do. To switch it on, go to Space settings, select Features, turn on Estimation and choose Time.
My verdict on Jira time tracking
I'd switch it on if you need to see where hours go, compare estimates with reality or report time against work. Always type the unit, keep big work items under the 100-child limit, and check the remaining estimate after editing a log. Most time tracking surprises come from setup, so it's worth knowing how your Jira workflow and Jira issue types are configured before you roll it out to a team.
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Frequently asked questions
What time units does Jira time tracking use?
Weeks (w), days (d), hours (h) and minutes (m). For example, you could estimate 3w or 2d 4h 30m.
What happens if I type a number without a unit in Jira?
The default time unit set by your Jira admin applies. By default, time estimates are specified in minutes.
Why can't I see the time tracking field in Jira?
Contact your Jira admin. Enabling or disabling time tracking needs the App admin role.
Is there a limit on time tracking child work items in Jira?
Yes. If a work item has more than 100 child work items, you can't include them in time tracking.
Can kanban teams use time estimates in Jira?
Yes. Time is the only unit of estimation available to kanban teams.
