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Jira

How to Customize Card Colors in Jira Easily 2026

By Impran M N

A board full of same-colored cards makes it harder to spot priorities at a glance. This guide covers customizing card colors on Jira boards, setting up JQL-based rules, and using color to highlight the things that matter most.

01Open board settings

Navigate to your board's settings to access the card color configuration options.

02Configure card colors

Choose the basis for coloring cards, such as issue type, priority, or assignee, from the available options.

03Create JQL color rules

Set up custom JQL queries to apply specific colors to cards that match conditions not covered by the default options.

04Test and apply changes

Save your settings and check the board to confirm the colors are highlighting the right cards as expected.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do I change card colors on a Jira board?

Open board settings, find the card color configuration, and choose a coloring basis like priority or issue type.

Can I use JQL to set custom card colors?

Yes, Jira supports JQL-based color rules so you can highlight cards that match specific custom conditions.

Does card color customization work on Kanban boards too?

Yes, card color settings are available on both Scrum and Kanban boards through board settings.

Why would I customize card colors on a Jira board?

Color coding makes it faster to spot high-priority items, specific issue types, or particular assignees at a glance.

Watch the full walkthrough

The same steps, demonstrated on screen from start to finish.