How to Create Swimlanes in Jira

Updated on:

May 11, 2026

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Use this interactive demo to learn how to set up swimlanes on your Jira Kanban board.

Quick summary

You can create swimlanes in Jira by opening Configure board from the Kanban board's three-dot menu and selecting a swimlane grouping method such as epics, stories, or queries. Once saved, your board automatically reorganizes issues into clearly defined swimlane rows based on the criteria you choose.

Steps

Click the three-dot menu (top right) on your Kanban board to open the board options.
Select Configure board from the dropdown menu.
Click on the Swimlanes option in the board configuration panel.
Choose a grouping method for your swimlanes — options include queries, stories, epics, or projects.
Once you select the method, your swimlane settings are saved automatically to the board.
Return to your Kanban board to see it divided into swimlane rows based on your defined criteria.

📌 Why this matters

Swimlanes in Jira allow agile teams to visually segment their Kanban board by epics, assignees, projects, or custom queries, making it easier to track work across multiple dimensions at a glance. This feature is essential for teams managing complex sprints where different issue types or priorities need clear visual separation. By configuring swimlanes directly from the board settings, teams reduce planning overhead and improve workflow transparency without leaving their Jira workspace. Properly structured swimlanes help project managers and developers maintain focus, reduce bottlenecks, and align daily work with broader project goals.

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