Last updated: March 2026
What Is a Gantt Chart?
A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart used for project scheduling that shows tasks plotted against a timeline. Invented by Henry Gantt in 1910, the Gantt chart became the standard tool for visualizing project schedules across construction, engineering, software development, and virtually every industry that manages multi-step projects. According to the Project Management Institute, over 80% of project managers use Gantt charts in some form to track project progress and communicate timelines to stakeholders.
Each task appears as a horizontal bar whose length represents its duration. Tasks can have dependencies (arrows showing which tasks must finish before others can start), milestones (diamond markers for key dates), and progress indicators showing how much of each task is complete. This free tool gives you all of these features in your browser with no software to install.
How to Use the Gantt Chart Maker
Start with a template or a blank project. The Templates button gives you six pre-built project plans including Software Development, Marketing Campaign, Event Planning, Home Renovation, and Product Launch. Each template comes with realistic tasks, durations, dependencies, and milestones that you can customize to your needs.
Click "+ Add Task" to create new tasks. Enter a name, start and end dates, assign a color category, and optionally add an assignee. Check "Milestone" to create a diamond marker for key dates. Once tasks are on the chart, drag the bars left or right to change dates, or drag the edges of a bar to change its duration. Click any task to edit its details, set progress, or add dependencies.
Use the zoom controls (Day, Week, Month, Quarter) to adjust the timeline view. The red dashed line marks today's date, and weekends are lightly shaded. Filter tasks by category using the color toggles above the chart. When you are done, export as PNG for presentations, PDF for printing, or JSON to save and reload your project later.
Key Features
Drag-and-drop scheduling makes it easy to adjust your project plan. Grab any task bar to move it to new dates, or drag the left or right edge to extend or shorten the duration. Changes update instantly -- no need to type dates manually. This visual approach to scheduling is faster and more intuitive than spreadsheet-based planning.
Dependencies with visual arrows show the relationships between tasks. When Task B depends on Task A, an arrow connects them on the chart. If Task B starts before its dependency finishes, the arrow turns orange as a warning. This helps you identify scheduling conflicts and ensure your critical path is feasible.
Eight color categories and progress tracking keep your chart organized. Assign colors to represent teams, phases, or priority levels. Each task shows a fill bar representing its completion percentage, and the header displays overall project progress. Filter by category to focus on specific areas of your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add task dependencies?
Yes. Click any task bar or row to open the edit panel, then click "Add Dependency" to link it to a predecessor. An arrow is drawn from the predecessor's end to the dependent task's start. If the dependent task starts before its predecessor finishes, you will see an orange warning highlight so you can adjust the schedule.
Is this a free alternative to Microsoft Project?
Yes. This Gantt chart maker gives you the core features of Microsoft Project -- tasks, durations, dependencies, milestones, progress tracking, and color coding -- completely free with no signup, no download, and no subscription. You can create unlimited Gantt charts and export them as PNG, PDF, or JSON.
Can I save and come back to my chart?
Your chart auto-saves to your browser's local storage every time you make a change. Close the tab and come back later -- your chart will be exactly as you left it. You can also export as JSON to create a backup file and import it on any device.
How do I add milestones?
When adding or editing a task, check the "Milestone" checkbox. Milestones appear as diamond-shaped markers on a single date rather than a bar with duration. Use them to mark key deliverables, approvals, or deadlines in your project timeline.
Can I export my Gantt chart as an image?
Yes. Click the PNG button to download a high-resolution screenshot of your entire chart, or click PDF to generate a PDF document. Both exports capture the full chart including task bars, dependencies, milestones, and the today line.