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    Set a task duration

    Elevate your planning game with task durations in Todoist. Estimate how much time a task will take to complete, set it as the task’s duration, and get an overview of your commitments for the day. It’s an easy way to manage your time effectively.

    Set a task duration

    You can set a duration with or without a date and time. Use natural language, the scheduler, or the calendar layout (for Pro or Business customers) to set the task duration. The maximum duration time you can set for a task is 24 hours.

    Set a duration on its own to estimate how long a task takes when you add it. Then, place the task on your calendar when you plan your day. Learn more about time blocking in Todoist.

    Galina · Customer Success Lead

    Setting a max duration of 24 hours is rooted in our philosophy of promoting productivity by breaking tasks into smaller, manageable chunks. We believe that dividing a large, potentially overwhelming project into bite-sized pieces can help maintain motivation and focus, which ultimately boosts efficiency.

    Use natural language

    In the task name field, type the word for and the duration. Use h for hours and m for minutes. To schedule the task too, add a date and time before the duration. Natural language works in every language Todoist supports.

    For example:

    Type thisTo get this
    Write paper for 1hTask has a duration of one hour and no date.
    Today 21:00 for 2hTask is scheduled for today at 21:00 with a duration of two hours.
    Tomorrow 13:00 for 10mTask is scheduled for tomorrow at 13:00 with a duration of 10 minutes.
    Every Monday at 16:00 for 1h15mTask is scheduled for every Monday at 16:00 with a duration of one hour and 15 minutes.

    Quick tip

    You can also use a time range to set the duration. For example, type from 21:00 to 22:00 or 9:30-10:00.

    Use the scheduler

    When adding a task, use the scheduler to set its duration:

    1. Add a task or open an existing task.
    2. Click the Date chip to open the scheduler.
    3. Click Time.
    4. Click the Duration field and select or type the duration.
    5. Click Save.
    1. Add a task or open an existing task.
    2. Tap Date.
    3. Tap Time at the bottom of the scheduler.
    4. Tap the Duration toggle.
    5. Select the duration.
    6. Tap Save.
    1. Add a task or open an existing task.
    2. Tap Date.
    3. Tap Add time.
    4. Tap the Duration toggle.
    5. Select the duration.
    6. Tap OK.
    7. Tap Save.

    Use the calendar layout

    If you're a Todoist Pro or Business customer, apply the calendar layout to your project. Then, drag the bottom edge of a task across the calendar to set the task duration. 

    If you have a task in the all-day section of the calendar, click and drag the task to a specific time slot. This sets a 30-minute duration by default, and you can drag the bottom edge of the task to adjust it.

    Dermot · Customer Experience Specialist

    Need to add and schedule a new task? Click your preferred time slot in the calendar, and Todoist automatically opens Quick Add with a 30-minute duration.

    Remove a task duration

    Removing a task's date doesn't remove its duration. Follow these steps to remove the duration:

    1. Click a task to open the task view.
    2. Click the date or duration to open the scheduler.
    3. Click Time.
    4. To the right of the duration, click the X.
    5. Click Save.
    1. Tap on a task to open the task view.
    2. Tap Date.
    3. Tap Time.
    4. Turn off the Duration toggle.
    5. Tap Save.
    1. Tap a task to open the task view.
    2. Tap Date.
    3. Tap the X next to the duration.

    Limitations

    Task duration will sync from your Google Calendar if the event is updated in any way (for example: the title changed or the event is rescheduled). This is even for tasks created without a duration.

    However, Google Calendar events longer than 24 hours will sync to Todoist, but the task won't have a duration.

    Todoist doesn’t support start dates or time, so there's no option to hide tasks until their start date or time is due. This would prevent you from easily accessing important task information like comments. By keeping your tasks visible in your projects, you are able to access and manage all their details at any given time.

    Instead, use the Today view or create a custom filter where you'll only see the task that you actively need to work on.

    Todoist doesn't support duration that spans across two or more days (for example: August 25 for 5 days). The maximum duration of a task is 24 hours. As a workaround, you can create a recurring task that starts on a specific day, and repeats for 5 days (for example: every day starting Aug 25 for 5 days).

    Get in touch

    If you've any trouble setting or removing task duration in Todoist, get in touch with us.