How to Add Categories in Jira Easily 2026
By Impran M N
As the number of projects in a Jira instance grows, keeping them organized becomes essential for navigation and reporting. This guide covers creating project categories in Jira, assigning projects to them, and managing categories over time.
01Open project settings
Navigate to the administration area where project categories are managed.
02Create a project category
Add a new category with a name that reflects how you want to group your projects, such as by department or product line.
03Assign a category to a project
Open a project's settings and select the category you just created to associate it with that project.
04Manage and edit categories
Return to the categories admin area anytime to rename, reassign, or remove categories as your organization changes.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add a category in Jira?
Go to project settings, create a new project category, and then assign it to the relevant projects.
Who can create project categories in Jira?
Creating and managing project categories typically requires Jira administrator permissions.
Can a project belong to more than one category?
No, a project is generally assigned to a single category at a time to keep organization clear.
Why would I organize projects into categories?
Categories make it easier to navigate and report on projects, especially in larger Jira instances with many active projects.
Watch the full walkthrough
The same steps, demonstrated on screen from start to finish.



