> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://guide.smarttask.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://guide.smarttask.io/fundamentals/time-tracking/estimate-and-actual-time.md).
# Estimate and Actual Time
### Setting Estimate
Adding estimated time helps in better workload planning, accurate forecasting, and tracking if tasks and projects are being delivered on schedule.
**Setting Estimated Time for a Task**
1. **Open a Task**
* Click on a task inside your project or task list.
2. **Go to the Task Details**
* In the right-side panel, look for the **Estimated Time** field.
3. **Add Estimated Time**
* Enter the expected time (in hours, like `2h 30m` or just `3h`).
* Here you can also mention if the task is **billable** or **non-billable**
* Save it.
### Logging Time
#### **1. Using Timer**
1. **Open the Task**
* From your project or task list, click on the task you want to work on.
2. **Go to the Time Tracking Input**
* On the right-side panel, scroll down to find the **Time Tracking** input.
* Incase the input is not visible - Click on the more option (3 dot icon) and select **Actual Time**
3. **Click on ‘Start Timer’**
* Click the **Start Timer** button to begin tracking actual time.
4. **Pause or Stop the Timer**
* When you take a break or finish the task:
* Click **Stop Timer**
* The tracked time will automatically be recorded under that task.
* Optionally, add a note about the work done during that time.
{% hint style="info" %}
Time is only logged if the timer runs for more than 1 min
{% endhint %}
#### 2. Manually Logging Time
If you forgot to start the timer, you can manually log time:
1. **Open the Task**
2. Go to the **Time Tracking** section.
3. Click **Add Time Entry**
4. Enter:
* **Start and End Time** or
* **Total time spent**
5. Add notes (optional)
6. Click **Save**
#### 3. Logging time through Timesheet view
* **Navigate to Timesheet**
* From the sidebar - click on the Time icon to navigate to Time Tracking view
* Click on the **Timesheet tab** from the top menu or side panel.
* **Select Week**
* Use the date picker at the top to choose the week for which you want to log time.
* **Add a Task to the Timesheet**
* Click on **“+ Add Task”** for any day in the week.
* Select the task you want to log time against from the dropdown.
* **Log Hours**
* Click on the time cell corresponding to the task and the specific day.
* Enter the number of hours and minutes (e.g., `2h`, `1h 30m`).
* Optionally, you can add a note describing the work done.
* **Review Daily and Weekly Totals**
* Daily totals appear at the bottom of each day’s column.
* Weekly total appears on the far-right column beside the task name.
* **Edit or Remove Entries**
* Click on any existing time cell to update or delete the entry.
### **Viewing Actual Time Logged**
* Inside the task’s **Time Tracking** section, you can view:
* All time entries
* Total time tracked for that task
* Compare it against the **Estimated Time**
You can also review this data in the **Time Tracking Report** from the left sidebar for broader reporting.