How to Use Time Estimates in ClickUp
Time Estimates in ClickUp let you predict how long work will take so you can plan projects, balance team capacity, and measure progress more accurately.
This how-to guide walks you through enabling Time Estimates, configuring options, and applying them to tasks and subtasks.
What Are Time Estimates in ClickUp?
Time Estimates allow you to add an expected duration to tasks and subtasks. They are useful for planning sprints, scheduling workloads, and comparing estimated time with tracked time.
With Time Estimates you can:
- Set expected effort on individual tasks.
- Roll up estimates from subtasks into parent tasks.
- View estimated effort in selected views and reports.
- Compare estimates with logged time to refine future planning.
Requirements for Using Time Estimates in ClickUp
Before you start, make sure Time Estimates are available in your Workspace.
- Time Estimates are a feature that must be turned on at the Workspace level.
- Certain advanced options may require specific plans or permissions.
If you are unsure whether your Workspace includes this feature, review the official documentation on the ClickUp Help Center: Intro to Time Estimates.
How to Enable Time Estimates in ClickUp
To start using Time Estimates, turn the feature on in your Workspace settings.
Step 1: Open Workspace Settings in ClickUp
- Sign in to your ClickUp Workspace.
- Click your profile avatar or Workspace settings menu.
- Open the settings area for Workspace-level features.
Step 2: Turn On the Time Estimates Feature
- Locate the section related to Time Tracking or Time settings.
- Find the option labeled Time Estimates.
- Toggle the feature on for your Workspace.
Once enabled, the Time Estimate field will become available on tasks that support it.
Configure Time Estimates Settings in ClickUp
After enabling the feature, adjust settings to match how your team plans work.
Choose Time Estimate Format in ClickUp
You can typically configure how Time Estimates are displayed and entered. Common options include:
- Hours and minutes (for detailed planning).
- Whole hours only (for high-level estimates).
- Other time units depending on Workspace preferences.
Pick a format that is easy for your team to understand and maintain consistently.
Enable Rollup for Subtask Time Estimates in ClickUp
Time Estimates can roll up from subtasks to the parent task. When this option is enabled, the total estimate on the parent can automatically reflect the sum of its subtasks.
To configure rollup behavior:
- Open your Workspace or Space settings.
- Locate Time or Time Estimates settings.
- Turn on the option that allows estimates to roll up from subtasks.
This is especially useful if your team breaks work into many subtasks and wants an accurate total estimate without manual calculation.
How to Add a Time Estimate to a Task in ClickUp
Once Time Estimates are activated, you can start adding them directly to tasks.
Step-by-Step: Add a Time Estimate
- Open a task in ClickUp.
- Locate the Time Estimate field in the task sidebar or task details panel.
- Click inside the field to edit the estimate.
- Enter the estimated time using the selected format (for example, 1h 30m).
- Save or close the task to apply the change.
The estimate will now appear in supported views and reports, allowing you to see how much effort is planned for that task.
Editing or Removing a Time Estimate
To adjust or clear a Time Estimate:
- Open the task.
- Click the existing Time Estimate value.
- Update the duration or delete the value.
- Save your changes.
Updating estimates is common as requirements become clearer, so encourage your team to keep them current.
Using Time Estimates on Subtasks in ClickUp
Subtasks can also have their own Time Estimates, giving you detailed control over complex work.
Set Time Estimates on Subtasks
- Open the parent task in ClickUp.
- Navigate to the subtasks section.
- Open a subtask by clicking its name.
- Find the Time Estimate field on the subtask.
- Enter the estimated duration and save.
Repeat for all relevant subtasks to build a complete picture of the effort required.
How Rollup Works for Subtasks
If rollup is enabled, the parent task can display a summary of all subtask Time Estimates. This lets you see:
- The total estimated time for the entire task.
- Which subtasks consume the most effort.
- How estimates are distributed across the work breakdown.
You can still override the parent estimate if needed, depending on how your Workspace is configured.
Where You Can View Time Estimates in ClickUp
Time Estimates can appear in multiple locations across the platform, depending on the views and features you use.
- Task view: See and edit the estimate in the task details panel.
- List view: Display Time Estimates in columns to compare work across many tasks.
- Board view: Surface estimates on cards to balance columns and statuses.
- Other views and reports: Depending on plan and configuration, you may see totals for Spaces, Folders, Lists, or custom groups.
Use these views to check whether your team has enough capacity for upcoming work and to refine planning over time.
Best Practices for Time Estimates in ClickUp
Keep Estimates Consistent
Decide on a standard way to create Time Estimates and share it with your team. For example:
- Always estimate in hours, rounding to the nearest 0.5 hour.
- Use subtasks to break down work whenever an item exceeds a certain size.
- Review and adjust estimates during planning sessions.
Compare Estimates to Actual Time
If your Workspace also uses time tracking, compare logged time to Time Estimates to improve future forecasting. Over time, this helps you:
- Understand which types of work are harder to estimate.
- Adjust estimates to be more realistic.
- Plan sprints and releases with greater confidence.
Use ClickUp Views to Monitor Load
Use views that display Time Estimates to see total estimated effort per team member, List, or Sprint. This lets you spot overload, redistribute tasks, and avoid missed deadlines.
Learn More About ClickUp and Time Features
For more implementation help, templates, and workflow optimization around ClickUp, you can explore consulting resources such as Consultevo, which focuses on productivity platforms and process design.
To dive deeper into every option, limitation, and setting related to Time Estimates, review the official ClickUp help article: Intro to Time Estimates.
By enabling Time Estimates in ClickUp, configuring them for your Workspace, and applying them consistently to tasks and subtasks, you can create more accurate project plans, balance workloads, and continuously refine how your team predicts effort.
Need Help With ClickUp?
If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your ClickUp workspace, work with ConsultEvo — trusted ClickUp Solution Partners.
“`
