To do list template

What is a to-do list, and why does it work?

A to-do list, also called a task list, is the simplest planning tool there is: a written set of tasks you need to do, with a way to check each one off. That simplicity is exactly why it works. The moment you write a task down, you stop spending energy trying to remember it, which frees up your attention for actually doing the work rather than juggling it in your head.

There is a small but real satisfaction in ticking a task off, and it adds up. A visible list shows you what is left, stops things slipping through the cracks, and turns a vague, overwhelming day into a series of clear, finishable steps. Whether it lives on paper, on your phone, or in a printed template like this one, the humble checklist remains one of the most reliable productivity habits going.

Types of to-do list

The same checklist adapts to almost anything, which is why the generator has a tab for each common use.

• Daily. A single day’s tasks, the classic to-do list.
• Weekly. Tasks grouped by day across the whole week.
• Work. A task board with To do, In progress, and Done.
• Priority. Tasks split into high, medium, and low priority.
• Project. Steps grouped by stage, from planning to up next.
• Shopping. A grocery list grouped by aisle or category.
• Chores. Household tasks split into daily, weekly, and monthly.
• Blank. An empty list to build from scratch.

How to make your to-do list, step by step

With the generator above it takes a minute. Choose a type, then:

1. Give your list a title, and add the date if you like.
2. Add a task in each row, keeping each one small and specific.
3. Tick the box next to anything already done. The progress bar updates as you go.
4. Group tasks into sections, such as by priority or by day, using Add section.
5. Pick a design and color, then download in Word or PDF to print or keep.

How to prioritize your tasks

A long list can be as paralyzing as no list at all, so the trick is deciding what matters most. One well-known method is the Eisenhower matrix, which sorts tasks by urgent versus important: do the urgent and important things first, schedule the important but less urgent ones, and be honest about which tasks are neither. The Priority tab above gives you high, medium, and low sections to do something similar.

A simpler version is to pick your top three tasks for the day, the ones that would make the day a success, and put those first. Everything else is a bonus. Tackling your most important task early, before the day fills up with small interruptions, is one of the most effective habits you can build, and a to-do list is where it starts.

Tips for a list you actually finish

• Keep tasks small. “Email the team” beats “sort out the project.” Small tasks get done.
• Be realistic. A short list you finish beats a long one that follows you around for days.
• Start each task with a verb. Call, write, book, fix. It makes the action clear.
• Move unfinished tasks. Roll anything left over onto tomorrow’s list rather than losing it.
• Tick as you go. Checking items off keeps the momentum, and the progress bar, moving.

To-do list vs. weekly schedule vs. planner

These tools solve related but different problems. A to-do list captures what you need to do. A weekly schedule decides when you will do it, by placing tasks into the hours of your week. A planner usually combines both, often with space for notes and goals alongside the dates.

In practice they work best together: your to-do list is the master list of everything, and you pull from it as you plan each day or week. If you would like to give your tasks a time as well as a place on a list, our weekly schedule template lays your week out as a grid you can drop these tasks into.

Download in Word, PDF, or copy the text

The generator gives you three ways to use your list:

Tip: the copied version uses simple checkboxes, so it pastes neatly into apps like Todoist, Microsoft To Do, Google Keep, or Notion, as well as a plain spreadsheet in Excel or Google Sheets.

Frequently asked questions