Show custom fields on Jira board cards
Use the card display controls to make useful fields visible without opening every work item. Classic company-managed Card layout provides a shared configuration for up to three additional fields. Newer software boards use view settings and support additional standard and custom field types.
Custom fields on cards
On the classic company-managed board, add up to three extra fields in the shared card layout. Scrum boards can use different fields in the backlog and active sprint. The newer board view moves card configuration to View settings.
-
Open Board settings → Layout → Card layout
From your board, select more (•••) → Board settings, expand Layout, then choose Card layout. For the newer board view, open View settings from the board instead. -
Choose the fields to show
Select the fields to display, for example Story points, Due date, and a custom field. The classic card layout supports up to three extra fields; check the options in View settings if you have the newer board. On classic Scrum boards, the backlog and active-sprint card layouts are set separately. You can also enable Days in column to flag slow-moving work. -
Save
Save the classic card layout, then check a card with a value in the field. In the newer board view, check the card after changing your view settings.
On the newer team-managed software board, card display choices are personal unless an admin saves them as the team default.
-
Open View settings
Select View settings from the board toolbar and find the card field options. -
Choose supported fields
Enable the standard and custom fields you need. The newer board supports field types including dates, dropdowns, numbers, and short text. Availability depends on the fields configured for your space. -
Check a card with a value
Use a work item with data in the field to verify the result. A display toggle cannot populate an empty value or make a field applicable to another work type.
Good to know
Before you customize Jira cards:
- Classic company-managed layout is shared. Configuring it requires board or space admin permission. On the newer team-managed board, users can personalize their view; admins can save a team default.
- Classic Scrum boards split layouts. Backlog and active-sprint card layouts are configured separately, which is easy to forget.
Every field, right on the card
Choose the available fields that help your team understand work at a glance. Free to try with your Jira.
FAQ
How do I add a custom field to Jira cards?
On the classic company-managed board, open Board settings → Layout → Card layout and add up to three extra fields. Newer board views use View settings. The newer team-managed board supports several custom field types, subject to the fields configured for the space.
Why can't I add more than three fields to a Jira card?
The classic company-managed card layout supports up to three additional fields. The newer board experience uses View settings, so check the options available on your board.
Why isn't my custom field showing as an option in card layout?
Check the field's scope and whether it applies to the work type and space. Fields created in a team-managed space are scoped to that space and may not be available in a cross-space board's card layout. Check the value on a work item as well.
Can I show different fields on backlog cards versus sprint cards?
Yes, on classic company-managed Scrum boards. The card layout for the backlog and the active sprint are configured separately, so you can show different fields in each.
Do I need to be an admin to change card fields?
The classic company-managed shared card layout requires board or space admin permission. On the newer team-managed board, users can personalize their view and an admin can save the team's default.
How does BetterBoard handle card fields differently?
BetterBoard lets people configure fields on a board they can edit, including available custom fields across its selected spaces. A field only appears on a card where it exists and has a value; Jira permissions and field availability still apply.