Free burndown chart

It’s a simple, visual way to keep track of what’s left to do and how fast you’re getting through it.

Teams use burndown charts to compare progress against plan in real time. It shows whether you’re on track, ahead, or falling behind, making it easier to spot issues early, manage expectations, and stay motivated.

Use it to guide:

• How you pace your work across days or sprints
• How you identify blockers or delays
• How you communicate progress with clients, sponsors, or team members

What’s in the Burndown Chart Template?

Daily breakdown of progress
Each row represents one day, with columns for planned progress and actual progress. This gives you a clear view of how the project is tracking day by day.

Built-in graph
The chart auto-generates a visual burndown line. As you update your data, the line updates too—giving you immediate feedback on how work is progressing.

Simple and printable
Designed for US letter or A4, the sheet is clear enough for printing and sharing, whether you’re posting it in the office or bringing it to a team meeting.

Flexible structure
You can track overall effort in hours, story points, or tasks—whatever suits your project. Just update the starting value and adjust your units.

Why Use a Burndown Chart?

The Burndown Chart offers several practical benefits:

Promotes visibility
Everyone can see how things are going. No surprises at the end—just a clear sense of where you’re at and what’s left to do.

Encourages accountability
Daily tracking means small problems are easier to fix. It helps teams reflect, regroup, and make changes early if needed.

Simplifies reporting
Instead of long updates or dashboards, the chart gives a simple snapshot that speaks for itself—great for quick stand-ups or stakeholder check-ins.

Keeps teams aligned
When the pressure is on, it’s easy to lose focus. The burndown chart helps keep attention on the shared goal: getting things done, on time.

Use the burndown chart from the very start of your project to make progress visible and encourage healthy momentum. Because even simple tools can have a big impact when they’re shared, understood, and used together.

Download the free template and get tracking.

For more practical project tools, check out OPEN, our online project management program for changemakers, professionals, and anyone who wants to get better at delivering impact, not just ticking boxes.