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Time Estimate Rollups in ClickUp

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Time Estimate Rollups in ClickUp

Time Estimate Rollups in ClickUp let you automatically add up time estimates from subtasks and nested subtasks so you can see total estimated work at every level of your hierarchy.

This how-to guide explains what Time Estimate Rollups are, how they work, and how to enable and use them across your Workspace, Folders, Lists, tasks, and subtasks.

What are Time Estimate Rollups in ClickUp?

Time Estimate Rollups automatically calculate the total estimated time for a task by combining the estimates of its subtasks and nested subtasks. When enabled, you can view summarized estimates using fields and columns like:

  • Time estimate and Time remaining in tasks
  • Time estimate and Time remaining in List view columns
  • Time estimate on subtasks and nested subtasks

Because these values roll up the data from lower levels in the hierarchy, managers and individual contributors can quickly understand how much effort is expected for larger work items.

Requirements to use ClickUp Time Estimate Rollups

Before you can use Time Estimate Rollups in ClickUp, make sure the feature is available and properly enabled.

Plan and feature availability

  • Time Estimates are available on all plan types.
  • Time Estimate Rollups are available on the following paid plans:
    • Business
    • Business Plus
    • Enterprise

If you are on a Free or Unlimited plan, you can use basic Time Estimates but not the automatic rollup calculations.

Permissions and Workspace requirements

  • You must have permission to edit tasks and subtasks where you want to add estimates.
  • To manage Time Estimate Rollups for the entire Workspace, you need access to Workspace settings.

Once these requirements are met, you can turn on Time Estimate Rollups and start tracking aggregate estimates across your teams and projects.

How Time Estimate Rollups work in ClickUp

Time Estimate Rollups apply to tasks, subtasks, and any level of nested subtasks. When the feature is enabled, changes to estimates at the lowest level automatically update the totals at higher levels.

Hierarchy behavior

Time Estimate Rollups in ClickUp follow these rules:

  • Each task can include one or more subtasks.
  • Each subtask can contain its own nested subtasks.
  • Every item can have its own time estimate.
  • The parent task’s Time Estimate Rollup is the sum of all its subtasks and nested subtasks.

For example, if a parent task has two subtasks estimated at 2 hours and 3 hours, the parent’s rolled up estimate will show 5 hours, even if the parent task itself has no direct estimate.

Fields impacted by Time Estimate Rollups

When rollups are enabled in ClickUp, the following fields reflect rolled up estimates:

  • Time estimate at the task level, including summaries of subtasks.
  • Time remaining if you track remaining time separately from original estimates.
  • Time estimate on subtasks and nested subtasks, accumulated into their parent items.

This behavior helps you understand total scope without manually recalculating each time estimates change.

How to enable Time Estimate Rollups in ClickUp

Enable Time Estimate Rollups at the Workspace level to start using this feature everywhere that Time Estimates are available.

  1. Open your Workspace settings.

  2. Navigate to the section that controls Time Estimates and related settings.

  3. Locate the option for Time Estimate Rollups.

  4. Turn the rollup option On to enable it for your Workspace.

After activation, Time Estimate Rollups will begin summing values across tasks and subtasks wherever Time Estimates are used.

How to add Time Estimates for rollups in ClickUp

For Time Estimate Rollups in ClickUp to calculate totals correctly, you need to add estimates at the task or subtask level. You can enter these values in several places.

Add Time Estimates to tasks

  1. Open a task where you want to add an estimate.

  2. Locate the Time estimate field in the task view.

  3. Click the field and enter the estimated duration (for example, 30m, 2h, or a custom value depending on your settings).

  4. Save or close the task. The estimate will now contribute to any rollup totals.

Add Time Estimates to subtasks and nested subtasks

  1. Open the parent task that contains subtasks.

  2. Expand the subtasks section.

  3. Select a subtask or nested subtask.

  4. Enter a value in the Time estimate field for each item.

As you update estimates on subtasks and nested subtasks, the total Time Estimate Rollup on the parent task updates to match the new sum.

Add Time Estimate Rollups via List view columns

You can also work with Time Estimates directly in List view so that Time Estimate Rollups in ClickUp are always visible across multiple tasks.

  1. Open a List where your tasks are stored.

  2. Ensure the Time estimate column is visible.

  3. Click into the appropriate cell for each task or subtask and enter the estimate.

  4. Watch the parent task values update as changes roll up from their subtasks.

Using ClickUp Time Estimate Rollups in views

Once Time Estimate Rollups are enabled and estimates are added, you can use them in different ClickUp views to understand workload and plan schedules.

List view with Time Estimate Rollups

In List view, Time Estimate Rollups help you compare estimates at a glance.

  • Use the Time estimate column to see estimates for individual tasks and rolled up totals for parent tasks.
  • Sort or filter by Time estimate to focus on high-effort work items.
  • Group tasks by status, assignee, or priority to see how estimated time is distributed.

Task view with rollup details

When you open a task in ClickUp, you can quickly see the combined estimate for all associated work.

  • View the Time estimate field on the parent task.
  • Expand the subtasks section to see how each subtask contributes to the overall rollup.
  • Adjust any subtask estimate to immediately update the total.

Best practices for ClickUp Time Estimate Rollups

To get the most accurate results from Time Estimate Rollups in ClickUp, follow these guidelines.

  • Estimate at the lowest level first. Add estimates to subtasks and nested subtasks so rollups reflect detailed work.
  • Keep estimates updated. When requirements change, update the estimates so parent rollups remain accurate.
  • Use consistent units. Decide how your team estimates time (minutes, hours, or days) and apply that approach consistently.
  • Review totals regularly. Use ClickUp views to periodically check if total estimates still match your project plans.

Troubleshooting Time Estimate Rollups in ClickUp

If totals do not look correct, verify the following:

  • Time Estimate Rollups are enabled in your Workspace settings.
  • Estimates exist on subtasks and nested subtasks you expect to be included.
  • The correct fields (Time estimate and Time remaining) are visible in your views.

If you continue to see unexpected behavior, compare your Workspace configuration with the official help documentation.

More resources for mastering ClickUp

To explore additional configuration details and advanced usage patterns for Time Estimate Rollups, review the official guide: Time Estimates Rollup documentation.

For broader consulting help with optimizing how you use ClickUp in your organization, including process design and hierarchy strategy, consider working with specialists such as Consultevo.

By setting up Time Estimate Rollups correctly and maintaining accurate estimates, you can use ClickUp to understand total workload, plan timelines, and make more informed decisions about your projects.

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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