When you set a time for a task, sometimes you’ll want the time to adjust based on the time zone you’re in. Other times you’ll want the time to stay fixed in your current time zone no matter where you are.
To choose between the two, you can set a floating time or a fixed time for your tasks to make sure things get done when they’re supposed to, wherever you are. Here’s a bit more about the two options:
Floating time
If you set a floating time, the due time of your task will stay the same regardless of your time zone. For example, a task scheduled at 9am New York time will also be scheduled at 9am when on London time.
If you travel from New York to London, the task will stay scheduled for 9am. If you share the project with someone in London, the task will appear due at 9am for both of you, even though you and your collaborator are not in the same time zone.
All due times in Todoist are floating by default.
Fixed time
If you set a fixed time, the due time of your task will adjust based on that time zone. For example, a task due at 9am New York time will be due at 2pm London time.
If you travel from New York to London, the task’s due time will update to 2pm. If you share the project with someone in London, the task will appear due at 9am for you and 2pm for your collaborator.
Choose between setting a floating time or fixed time for your task on any platform:
- When adding or editing a task, click the Date field in the task view, or the calendar icon.
- Click Time at the bottom of the scheduler.
- Enter a due time for your task and click the Time zone menu.
- Choose whether you want to use a fixed time or floating time.
If a collaborator already set the task's time zone, you’ll see a third option to keep it.
- Click Save to save your changes.
- When adding or editing a task, tap the calendar icon to open the task scheduler.
- Type a date or select a date from the calendar.
- Tap Time at the bottom.
- Select a due time from the time picker. You can add duration, if needed.
- Tap Time zone and choose either a fixed time (represented by your current time zone) or floating time.
If a collaborator already set the task's time zone, you’ll see a third option to keep it.
- Tap Save to save your changes.
On Android, there are two different ways to set a fixed time or floating time.
When using the calendar:
- When adding or editing a task, simply tap on the calendar icon to open the task scheduler.
- Select a date from the calendar and tap on + Add Time in the bottom-left corner.
- Select a due time and tap on Time zone underneath the time picker.
- Choose whether you want to set a fixed time (represented by your current time zone) or floating time by tapping on the option you would like to use, and tap on OK. (If the time zone of the task has already been set by someone else in a different time zone, you’ll also see a third option to keep the task’s current time zone.)
- Once you’ve done this, tap on Schedule or Reschedule in the bottom-right corner of the scheduler to save your task.
When typing a date and time:
- When adding or editing a task, tap on the calendar icon to open the task scheduler.
- At the top of the scheduler, type in the date and time and tap on Time Zone.
- Choose whether you want to set a fixed time (represented by your current time zone) or floating time by tapping on the option you would like to use, and tap on the submit arrow. (If the time zone of the task has already been set by someone else in a different time zone, you’ll also see a third option to keep the task’s current time zone.)
- Depending on your Android device, you may need to tap on a submit arrow in order to save your task.
FAQ
What is the default behaviour for my due times?
The due time of your task will be floating by default.
Can I schedule a task for a different time zone?
No. You will only have the option to choose your current time zone unless the time zone has already been set by someone else, in that case you’ll also have the option to keep the task’s current time zone.
I would like to set one of my devices to a time zone that doesn’t match my physical location so I can keep track of my deadlines in a different time zone. How can I do this?
By setting a floating time for your tasks, you can make sure that the due time will stay the same across all your devices, regardless of the time zone they have been set to.