Atlassian Tools
Jira Custom Fields: How to create them without wrecking your workflow
Sep 9, 2025
•
min read
Jira Custom Fields are user-defined fields that store specific information not covered by Jira’s default fields, and you can create them in Jira Administration → Issues → Custom Fields by selecting a field, naming it, and adding it to relevant screens.
Jira Custom Fields can be your friend or the annoying reason your project takes more time than it should.
Ever opened an issue and scrolled through a wall of 17 irrelevant fields just to find the one you actually need? Or tried to run a report, only to discover half the data is scattered across five differently named “Priority” fields?
That’s the double-edged sword of customization — the same tool that can make Jira work beautifully for you can also bury it in clutter.
Poor field design can slow down triage and make reporting needlessly difficult. Yet, the feature causing the chaos — Jira Custom Fields — is also the one that can fix it.
When planned well, Custom Fields make Jira easier to use, ensure consistent issue creation, and give you cleaner, more reliable data. This article will walk you through how to create them, when they’re worth it, and how to avoid turning your Jira into a graveyard of forgotten fields.
And because real change is easier with the right tools, we’ll also show how teams using Narva’s Issue Templates Pro for Jira (rated 3.3/4 on the Atlassian Marketplace, with over 2,300 installs) are building structured, reusable templates that keep projects moving and reports accurate — without adding more work.
Jira Custom Fields: What they are and why they matter
In Jira, fields hold the details for each issue, like summary, description, status, or priority. Jira gives you a standard set of “system fields” out of the box.
Jira Custom Fields are the ones you create yourself to track data that Jira doesn’t already have a home for. They can be:
➔ “Release Risk” to help product managers plan update launches
➔ “Customer Impact Level” for support teams handling critical tickets
➔ “Data Center Location” for IT teams tracking infrastructure changes
You can display them on issue screens, use them in filters, or pull them into dashboards for at-a-glance insights.
When to add a Custom Field (and when to resist the urge)
As people who use Issue Templates Pro daily, we understand that the temptation to add a new field every time someone says “We should track this” is real. But not every idea needs its own dedicated slot.
Add a Custom Field if:
➔ The data is essential for tracking, reporting, or decision-making
➔ No existing field type fits the exact requirement
➔ It will actually be used (and used consistently)
➔ Multiple teams or projects will benefit from it
Hold off if:
➔ It’s a one-off for a short-lived project
➔ You’re duplicating data that’s already in another field
➔ Labels, components, or issue types can handle it just as well
Too many redundant fields can slow you down and frustrate your team. A bloated field list is like a messy kitchen drawer — you know that wine stopper you need is in there somewhere, but good luck finding it.
Make Jira Custom Fields Work for You
Pre-fill fields, standardize setups across projects, and get cleaner dashboards without the manual grind.
How to create Custom Fields in Jira (step-by-step)
Step 1: Go to Jira Administration → Issues → Custom Fields.
Step 2: Click “Add Custom Field”. Choose between Standard or Advanced options (these can vary between Jira Cloud, Data Center, and Server).
Step 3: Pick the field type: text, select list, date picker, number field, etc.
Step 4: Name and describe your field. “Release Risk Level” is clearer than “Risk,” and a short description helps people know what belongs there and why.
Step 5: Associate it with the right screens. Keep it visible only where it’s needed.
Step 6: Optionally set default values or create different contexts for different projects.
Done right, you now have a useful Custom Field — not another piece of Jira background no one notices.
How to add Custom Fields in Jira Service Desk
Using Jira Service Management? Same steps as above — plus adding the field to your request forms so customers can fill it out directly.
1. Create the field via Jira Administration → Issues → Custom Fields.
2. Link it to the screens for your Service Desk project.
3. In Project Settings → Request Types, edit the form and drop in your new field.
That way, customers provide the info you need up front, and agents don’t waste time chasing it later.
Advanced options: Jira API and Jira Misc Custom Fields
For experienced users, Jira API Custom Fields let you create, update, or retrieve field values — Ideal for integrations, automation, or bulk updates without endless clicking.
The Jira Misc Custom Fields app takes it further with calculated and scripted fields. Examples:
➔ Auto-calculate “Days Until Due Date”
➔ Combine two fields into one display value
➔ Track SLA metrics without manual updates
How to make Jira add Custom Field values together
Out of the box, Jira can’t sum field values across multiple issues — but you can:
➔ Use Jira Misc Custom Fields to create a calculated field that adds them
➔ Export to a BI tool or spreadsheet for aggregation
➔ Write a Jira API script to pull and total the values automatically
Best practices to keep your Custom Fields useful
1. Name fields clearly - skip the cryptic abbreviations or metaphors
2. Pick the right type - dropdowns, dates, and numbers beat text fields for clean reporting
3. Limit where they appear - use contexts to keep irrelevant fields out of certain projects
4. Document them - note what each field is for, who owns it, and how it’s used
5. Audit regularly - delete or hide unused ones before they pile up
Why well-designed Custom Fields make Jira better for you
The point isn’t to add more fields. It’s to add the right fields, the right way.
Done well, Jira Custom Fields speed up issue creation, reduce endless follow-ups, keep dashboards accurate, and capture only the data that truly matters.
And the easiest way to do Custom Fields right is to use tools that take the grunt work out of it.
Narva’s Issue Templates Pro for Jira helps you:
➔ Pre-fill custom fields so every issue starts complete
➔ Apply consistent field setups across multiple projects
➔ Work seamlessly with Jira automation, Jira API custom fields, and Jira Misc Custom Fields
Teams at companies like Lucid and Deloitte are using it to see cleaner data and far fewer “can we sync on the progress?” moments. They see how much easier it is when every issue, story, or request begins with a structure built to work for you — not against you.
Try Issue Templates Pro for Jira free and make creating and managing fields a 10-second job instead of a weekly recurring headache.
Nar is the founder of Narva Software and a former software developer with real-world experience using Atlassian tools. After facing the limitations of Jira and Confluence himself, he set out to build simple, effective apps that make teamwork easier. Today, his focus is on creating practical solutions that help teams work faster and smarter — and are trusted by companies around the world.
