Design and build a Gantt chart for your next project free with Canva’s online designer.

Manage your next project more efficiently with a well-structured Gantt chart

Gantt charts are tools used to schedule large projects by splitting them into tasks and subtasks and laying them out on a timeline. Each task is listed on one side of the chart and each has a horizontal line opposite it corresponding to the length of the task. By mapping tasks like this, you can easily see how long each will take and which tasks will overlap.

Canva allows you to easily create your own professional-looking Gantt chart without the need to learn complicated software. You just choose from the beautiful templates and layouts created by our design team and then customize your chosen one by changing colors, fonts and other elements to suit.

Open a New Gantt Chart Design

Design a Gantt Chart in Canva in 5 easy steps

Create a new Canva account to get started with your own Gantt Chart design.
Choose from our library of professionally created templates.
Upload your own photos or choose from over 1 million stock images.
Fix your images, add stunning filters and edit text.
Save and share.

Customize your Gantt chart in minutes

Change the images. Upload your own images or choose from our stock library of over 1 million photographs, graphics and illustrations.
Change the fonts. Choose from over 130 fresh fonts.
Change the background. Choose a background from our library or use an image.
Change the colors. Change the color of your text boxes and text to add extra flair.

Choose and add colors carefully

Colors are an important visual cue in Gantt charts. They are often used to denote the stage of a project at which a task takes place. But you can also use them to show which department in your organization is responsible for the task. Or, for small teams, which team member is responsible.

Change your design’s colors by using the color wheel tool on the toolbar. Click the element or text you wish to recolor, then choose any hue from the color wheel or type in a particular color hex code to fit your branding requirements.

Use arrows to show interdependent tasks

In any project, there are some tasks that will need to be completed before others can be started. As well as ensuring you schedule tasks accordingly, you can choose from Canva’s huge range of arrows to link tasks and show which ones follow on from others. You can customize the size, shape and style of arrow, as well as its color. It’s a good idea to make each arrow the same style, and use color consistently.

To add an arrow or any other shape or icon to your design, head to the Elements tab, click on the Shape, Line, or Icon folder and choose one that suits your need or style. Drag and drop it to where you need it in your design.

Collaborate with different teams or departments

Most big projects involve lots of different teams or departments working together. Often these teams will be in different buildings, or even different cities or countries. Canva makes it really easy to work collaboratively like this. Just click on Share, tick the box that enables others to edit your design and send them the link. Team members and colleagues can then access and edit the design from anywhere in the world, from any computer, iPhone, iPad or Android device.

Print your Gantt chart in high resolution

Once everyone in your team is done editing and happy with the finished Gantt chart, you’ll want to distribute it. You can email it from inside Canva, just by clicking the Share button and copying and pasting email addresses into the box. Gantt charts are meant to be displayed on a wall, though, so why not download a high-res PNG or PDF to print and hang on the wall?

FAQ

How can I resize a shape or line in my design?

To resize a shape or line in your Gantt Chart , first click on the shape or line you want to resize. A dotted outline with 4 circles on each corner will appear around the element. Click, hold and drag on any of the 4 circles to resize your shape or line. You might also need to zoom in on an element such really thin lines to make adjusting it easier. Once you’re happy with the new shape or line size, release the circle.

How can I group elements or text boxes together?

To keep your Gantt chart design from getting too fiddly, it’s best to group various text boxes or elements that need to go together. To do this, select all the elements or text you want to group together by holding down the Shift key then clicking on each element, then click on the Group button on the toolbar.

How much does it cost to create a Gantt Chart in Canva?

Designing a Gantt Chart in Canva is free! Our library of layouts have been created by awesome designers, making it as simple for you as a few clicks to create a professional design. If you use your own images in your design, the entire process will be free.

You can also choose from Canva’s library of over 1 million images, graphics and illustrations. Many of these images are also free, while the rest are all priced at just $1.