How to Add Severity in Jira
- George Apostolov
How to Add Severity in Jira: step-by-step guide
Go to the Jira Administration page by clicking on the gear icon in the top-right corner.
Select 'Issues' under the 'Jira settings'.
In the left-hand sidebar, under 'Fields', click on 'Custom fields'.
Click on the 'Create custom field' button.
Choose the field type. For severity, such as Single choice or Radio buttons.
Click 'Next'.
Enter the name of the field.
Add a description.
Add options for the severity levels by clicking 'Add'.
Click 'Create'.
Associate the field with the relevant screens by checking the screen's box.
After selecting the screens where you want the severity field to be available, click 'Update'.
Now, whenever you create, edit, or view an issue in your project, you will see the 'Severity' field, allowing you to categorize issues based on their severity.
Quick answer: To add severity in Jira, navigate to the Jira Administration page, select Issues, and create a new custom field. Choose a single choice or radio buttons field type, enter the field details, add severity levels, and click Create. Finally, associate the field with relevant screens and update.
About this Jira tutorial
Categorize project issues by setting up a custom severity field in Jira settings, configuring options, and associating it with your screens. This guide shows how to add Severity in Jira in 13 steps, starting with "Go to the Jira Administration page by clicking on the gear icon in the top-right corner" and finishing with "Now, whenever you create, edit, or view an issue in your project, you will see the 'Sev...". The interactive demo above is a click-through copy of the real Jira interface, so you can rehearse each step before doing it in your own account.
Frequently asked questions
How many steps does it take to add Severity in Jira?
13 steps. Each one is listed in order above, and the demo highlights exactly where to click.
Can I try it without changing my own account?
Yes. Clicking through the demo doesn't touch your Jira data or settings. Once you know the flow, repeat it in your own workspace.
This tutorial is filed under Jira. Related guides: How to Add Start and End Date in Jira, How to Add Table in Jira Comment and How to Add Table in Jira Description. Last reviewed 05 Oct 2026.
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