How to Use ClickUp for Time Tracking
ClickUp makes it easy to track time, understand where work hours go, and improve productivity across your projects. This step-by-step guide shows you how to use its time tracking tools to log time, manage workloads, and analyze performance for your team.
By the end of this guide, you will know how to start timers, add manual entries, review timesheets, and use reports to make better decisions about tasks and resources.
Why Use ClickUp for Time Tracking?
Tracking time directly inside your project management tool gives you context. You see exactly how long tasks take, who is overloaded, and which projects are eating up your budget.
Using ClickUp for time tracking helps you:
- Capture work hours without switching apps
- Connect time entries to specific tasks and projects
- Improve billing accuracy for clients
- Estimate future work more reliably
- Spot bottlenecks and overload before deadlines slip
The platform also centralizes all your work management tools, reducing the need for separate time tracking software.
Getting Started: Enable Time Tracking in ClickUp
Before you can track hours, you need to make sure time tracking is enabled in your Workspace.
Step 1: Open Workspace Settings
- Log in to your account.
- Select your Workspace from the sidebar if you have more than one.
- Open the settings area from the main navigation.
Step 2: Turn On Time Tracking
- Locate the features or click apps section.
- Find the time tracking option.
- Toggle it on for your Workspace or specific Spaces, depending on your plan and configuration.
Once enabled, time tracking tools appear on task views so your team can start logging hours immediately.
How to Track Time on Tasks in ClickUp
The most common way to track work is to log it directly on tasks. This keeps all effort connected to clear outcomes.
Method 1: Use the Built-in Timer
Use the built-in timer when you want to track time in real time while you work.
- Open the task where you will work.
- Look for the time tracking area or timer icon in the task view.
- Click the timer to start tracking as you begin the task.
- Work on the task without closing the timer.
- Click the timer again to stop when you are done or need a break.
The logged time is now attached to that task, along with the user who tracked it and the total duration.
Method 2: Add Manual Time Entries
If you worked without the timer, you can still log your time after the fact.
- Open the relevant task.
- Click the time tracking area or plus icon near the time log.
- Select the option to add time manually.
- Enter the duration or specific start and end times.
- Add notes or labels if needed, such as billable or non-billable.
- Save your entry.
Manual entries help keep your records complete, even if you forget to start the timer while working.
Tips for Accurate Time Tracking in ClickUp
- Start the timer as soon as you begin focused work.
- Stop the timer whenever you switch tasks or step away.
- Add short notes to time entries to clarify what was done.
- Review your daily time log to correct any mistakes.
Using ClickUp Timesheets to Review Logged Time
After your team has logged time, you can use centralized views to see how hours are distributed across people and projects.
Access Your Personal Timesheet
- Open the time or timesheet view from the sidebar or top navigation, depending on your layout.
- Filter by date range such as today, this week, or this month.
- Review each time entry, including linked tasks and durations.
Use this view to confirm your hours, fill in gaps, and ensure your daily work matches your priorities.
View Team Timesheets
Managers can review their team’s time across multiple tasks and projects.
- Open the team timesheet or report view.
- Select the users or teams you want to analyze.
- Filter by Space, Folder, List, or custom fields to narrow down the data.
- Group entries by user, task, or project to understand the big picture.
These views help you balance workloads, see who is over capacity, and quickly identify missing or inconsistent entries.
Generate Time Reports in ClickUp
Time reports let you turn raw logs into insights you can use for billing, forecasting, and performance analysis.
Create Basic Time Tracking Reports
- Navigate to the reporting or dashboards area.
- Add a new widget or report focused on time tracking.
- Choose how you want to group and display data, such as by assignee, task, or List.
- Set the date range relevant to your billing cycle or sprint.
- Save the report and share it with key stakeholders.
Once set up, reports update automatically as your team logs more time.
Use Time Data to Improve Planning
Time tracking is not only about records; it informs better planning and estimation.
- Compare estimated time vs. actual time on tasks.
- Identify recurring tasks that consistently take longer than expected.
- Adjust future estimates to be more realistic.
- Spot low-value work that consumes too many hours.
With this approach, you learn from every project and improve your scheduling over time.
Advanced ClickUp Time Tracking Tips
Once you master the basics, you can combine time tracking with other features to unlock more value.
Combine Time Tracking with Custom Fields
Use custom fields to categorize tasks and time entries.
- Tag tasks as billable vs. non-billable.
- Mark work types like design, development, or support.
- Filter time reports by custom fields for deeper insights.
Align Time Tracking with Goals and Sprints
Integrate time tracking into your planning framework.
- Use Lists or Spaces to represent sprints or milestones.
- Track time on tasks linked to your goals.
- Analyze how much effort went into completed objectives.
This helps you see not just how much time was spent, but how that time contributed to your key results.
Best Practices for Teams Using ClickUp
To get reliable data, your whole team needs simple, consistent habits.
- Agree on when to use timers vs. manual entries.
- Set clear rules about what must be tracked, such as meetings, deep work, or support.
- Review time reports during retrospectives and planning sessions.
- Use insights to adjust workloads and prevent burnout.
Consistent time tracking supports transparent, data-driven decisions and healthier team workflows.
Learn More About ClickUp Time Features
To dive deeper into specific capabilities and comparisons with other tools, you can explore the detailed overview on the official blog. Visit the original guide on time tracking software at this ClickUp blog article for more context, best tools, and use cases.
If you want expert help structuring your workspace, creating reports, or improving adoption, consider working with a dedicated productivity and SEO partner like Consultevo, which specializes in technical optimization and workflow consulting.
Start Tracking Time in ClickUp Today
Effective time tracking does not have to be complicated. By enabling the right features, using timers and manual entries, and reviewing timesheets and reports regularly, you can transform raw hours into powerful insights.
Set up your Workspace, define simple team rules, and begin logging time on your next project. With consistent use, the time tracking tools built into this platform will help you plan smarter, balance workloads, and complete projects more efficiently.
Need Help With ClickUp?
If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your ClickUp workspace, work with ConsultEvo — trusted ClickUp Solution Partners.
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