How to Add a Custom Issue Type in Jira

How to Add an Issue Type in Jira

Updated on:

May 25, 2026

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Use this interactive demo to learn how to create a custom issue type in your Jira project.

Quick summary

Adding a custom issue type in Jira lets teams categorize and track work more precisely by defining new work types through Jira Admin Settings. This step-by-step process takes under a minute and instantly makes the new issue type available across your Jira project.

Steps

In your Jira space, head over to the top-right corner and click 'Settings'.
Choose 'Work Items' under Jira Admin Settings.
Click 'Add Work Type' under the Work Types tab.
Provide all the necessary information, such as Name, Description, Work Type Scheme, and Type.
Once done, click 'Add' to proceed.
A new issue type will be added to your Jira space.

📌 Why this matters

Custom issue types in Jira give teams precise control over how work is categorized, tracked, and reported across projects. By defining unique work types — such as bugs, epics, or team-specific categories — organizations can tailor Jira workflows to match their exact processes. This flexibility reduces miscommunication, improves backlog organization, and ensures that every task is routed and prioritized correctly. For growing teams, the ability to add and manage issue types directly from Jira Admin Settings is a foundational step toward a scalable, customized project management setup.

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