UtilibyWritten by the Utiliby editorial team · Last updated October 14, 2026 · Rules and formulas reviewed October 2026
What this free online to-do list does
A to-do list is the simplest productivity system there is, and probably the most useful. Writing a task down moves it out of your head, where it competes for attention and causes the low background worry that psychologists associate with unfinished business, and onto a page where you can decide when to do it. This free online to-do list keeps that simple idea but adds what a plain notebook cannot: priorities, due dates, lists or projects, repeating tasks, search, sorting, progress and a printable view.
It runs entirely in your browser. There is no account to create and no app to install. Your tasks are stored locally on the device you use, so the list opens instantly and works even if your connection is slow. You can download a backup file, copy the list as a plain-text checklist or print it, and you can start from scratch at any time with one button.
How to use the to-do list
- Capture. Type a task in the box and press Enter. Start with a verb, such as call, write, buy or send, so that it is clear what to do.
- Add detail. Optionally set a priority, a due date, a list name and a repeat pattern.
- Plan. Sort by due date or priority, or search for a keyword. Use the filters to see only active or completed tasks.
- Do. Tick the box when a task is done. Progress and overdue counts update at once.
- Review. Clear completed tasks, edit anything that has changed and add new ones.
If you have a long list in another app or on paper, paste it into the bulk box and add every line in one go.
Features that make it more than a checklist
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Priority | Marks tasks as low, medium or high and lets you sort by importance |
| Due dates | Shows Today, Tomorrow and overdue labels |
| Lists | Groups tasks into projects such as Work, Home or Study |
| Repeat | Creates the next daily, weekly or monthly task when one is completed |
| Search and filters | Finds tasks by word, status or list |
| Progress | Shows the share of tasks completed and the count of overdue ones |
| Backup | Exports and imports JSON, downloads CSV, copies a text checklist and prints |
How to build a to-do list that actually works
A list fails when it is too long, too vague or never looked at. Three habits fix most of this. First, write tasks as concrete actions: write the first draft of the report is better than report. Second, break anything that takes more than about two hours into smaller steps, so there is always a next action you can start in minutes. Third, choose a small set of tasks for each day. Many people pick one big task and two or three small ones, and treat anything else as a bonus.
Use priorities sparingly. If everything is high, nothing is. A useful rule is to keep no more than three high-priority tasks open at once. Use due dates only for real deadlines, not for wishes, because a list full of false deadlines trains you to ignore the overdue label.
Popular methods you can run in this tool
- The 1-3-5 rule. Plan one big task, three medium tasks and five small ones for the day. Use priorities high, medium and low to mark them.
- Eat the frog. Mark your hardest task high and do it first, before email.
- Getting Things Done. Capture everything, clarify the next action, then review weekly. Use lists for contexts such as Calls, Errands or Computer.
- Two-minute rule. If a task takes less than two minutes, do it now instead of adding it.
- Weekly review. Once a week, clear completed tasks, check overdue items and plan the next seven days.
Ideas for personal, work and study lists
For home life, keep lists for shopping, chores and household admin, and set repeating tasks for bills, watering plants or cleaning. For work, keep a list per project, put meeting follow-ups in as soon as they arise and sort by due date before your day begins. For students, add assignments with deadlines, a list per course and a repeat for weekly readings. For travel and events, keep a packing and preparation list and print it for the day. Because the list prints cleanly, you can also keep a paper copy for the fridge, the desk or the clipboard.
Dealing with overdue and unfinished tasks
An overdue task is information, not a failure. Look at each one and decide: do it today, move the date to a realistic one, break it down, delegate it or delete it. Deleting is allowed, since a task that has been moved five times is probably not important. Keeping the overdue count near zero keeps the list trustworthy, and a trustworthy list is the one you will actually open each morning.
Repeating tasks and routines
Routine tasks are the easiest to forget and the most annoying to retype. Set a repeat on tasks such as paying rent, backing up files, weekly reports or taking out the bins. When you tick the task, the next one appears with a date a day, a week or a month later. If you finish late, the new date is counted from the original due date, so the schedule does not drift.
Sharing, printing and moving your list
To share a list, use Copy as checklist and paste it into a message, email or notes app. To print, filter to what you want on paper, then press Print / save list. Only the table of tasks is printed, not the page around it. To move between devices, download the JSON backup and import it on the other device. This tool is designed for one person on one browser, so it is not a shared team board. For shared work with assignees and stages, a Kanban board is a better fit.
Common to-do list mistakes
- Vague tasks. Write a clear action.
- Too many priorities. Limit the high ones.
- Never reviewing. Open the list at the start and end of the day.
- Mixing projects and tasks. A project is a list of tasks, not one task.
- Hoarding old tasks. Delete or clear what no longer matters.
- Relying on it for reminders. This tool does not notify you, so add critical deadlines to a calendar.
Privacy, limits and responsible use
Your tasks stay in your browser's local storage on this device. Nothing is sent to a server, and nobody else can see them. Because they are stored locally, clearing browser data, using private browsing or switching devices will remove access, so export a backup regularly. The tool does not provide reminders, syncing or sharing. Please do not store passwords, bank details or other sensitive information in task text. A to-do list is a planning aid, and it does not replace professional advice for medical, legal or financial deadlines.
Frequently asked questions
What is an online to-do list?
A web-based list where you write the tasks you need to do, rank them, add due dates and tick them off. This one runs in your browser and saves your tasks on your device.
How do I use this free online to-do list?
Type a task, choose a priority, due date and list if you want, and press Add task or Enter. Tick the box when it is done. Use the filters, search and sort to focus on what matters now.
Do I need to sign up?
No. There is no account or login. Open the page and start adding tasks.
Where are my tasks saved?
In your browser's local storage on this device. They are not uploaded to any server. Clearing site data or using another browser or device will not show them, so keep a backup.
How do I back up my tasks?
Press Download JSON backup to save a file, and Import backup to load it in another browser or on another device. You can also download a CSV for a spreadsheet.
Can I add many tasks at once?
Yes. Open Add many tasks at once, paste one task per line and press Add all lines. Bullets, checkboxes and numbers at the start of a line are removed.
Can tasks repeat?
Yes. Set a task to repeat daily, weekly or monthly. When you tick it off, the next occurrence is added with a new due date.
How do I prioritise tasks?
Give each task a priority of low, medium or high and sort by priority. A common approach is to pick two or three important tasks for the day and do those first.
What does the overdue label mean?
A task is overdue when its due date is before today and it is not done. Overdue tasks are highlighted and counted at the top.
Can I organise tasks into lists or projects?
Yes. Give tasks a list name such as Work, Home or Shopping, then filter by list. Names you have used before are suggested as you type.
Can I reorder tasks by hand?
Yes. With My order selected and no filters on, use the up and down buttons to move a task. Other sort options arrange tasks automatically.
Can I edit or delete a task?
Yes. Press Edit to change the text, priority, date or list, and Delete to remove it. Clear completed removes every finished task at once.
Can I print my to-do list?
Yes. Print / save list prints only the list in a clean table. Use the filters first to print only active tasks, a single list or one project.
Can I copy the list into an email or chat?
Yes. Copy as checklist places a plain-text list with [ ] and [x] marks on your clipboard, ready to paste into notes, email or a chat.
Does it send reminders?
No. It does not send notifications, so keep important deadlines in a calendar too. Sorting by due date and the overdue count help you review the list each day.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes. The layout adapts to small screens, and your tasks are saved in that phone's browser.
Is it free and private?
Yes. It is free to use online, and your tasks stay in your browser.
Sources and further reading
- David Allen, Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity (Penguin).
- Masicampo and Baumeister, Consider it done! Plan making can eliminate the cognitive effects of unfulfilled goals (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2011).
- Zeigarnik, B., On finished and unfinished tasks (1927), as discussed in standard psychology texts.
- MDN Web Docs, Window.localStorage and File API (developer.mozilla.org).
- American Psychological Association, Multitasking: switching costs (apa.org).
Sources were consulted in October 2026. Standards and rules can change, so always check the official page for your situation.