Why is my time log non-billable?

A time log gets its billable status from its task. If the task has no setting of its own, it uses the project's setting. If there is no task and no project, the time log is non-billable. The status then stays that way unless someone changes it by hand on that time log, or your workspace locks it to the task. Billable status is on plans that include billable rates (Starter and above).

How a time log gets its billable status

Toggl checks these in order and uses the first one it finds:

Set by hand on the time log. Someone marked this time log billable or non-billable. This always wins, unless the workspace has locked billable status to the task (see below).
The task. If the task is billable or non-billable, the time log follows it.
The project. If the task has no setting, the time log follows its project. A time log with a project but no task follows the project directly.
Nothing. With no task and no project, the time log is non-billable.

A time log that follows its task or project is called inherited. If you change the task or project on an inherited time log, it takes the billable status of the new one. If you change the billable setting of a task or project later, the inherited time logs on it update too. Time logs that someone set by hand do not change.

Checklist

#	Check	How to check	Fix
1	Does the time log have a task or project?	Open the time log. A time log with neither is non-billable by default.	Add a task or project. If you then want it billable, make sure that task or project is billable.
2	Is the task or project billable?	In the Projects list, the Billable column shows whether the project is billable and its rate. Open the task to see its billable setting.	Set the task or project to billable. Inherited time logs follow. Rates are covered in Billable rates.
3	Was it marked non-billable by hand?	In the time log list, look at the billable icon on the row. Its tooltip reads Mark as billable when the time log is non-billable.	Select the icon to mark it billable. This sets it by hand, so it stops following the task or project. You need an access level that can change billable status.
4	Did the time log come from a calendar event or planned time?	Check the event's billable setting and any matching rule under Settings → Connected calendars.	Billable status set on planned time or by a matching rule carries into the time log when it is logged. Change the rule, or edit the time log. If Auto-track time from all enabled calendars is on, time logs are created from events automatically and take their billable status from a matching rule.
5	Is billable status locked to the task?	Ask an admin to check Lock billable status to the task in the workspace settings.	See When billable status is locked.
6	Does your access level allow changing it?	Look for the billable icon. If you don't see it, or it can't be selected, your access level can't change billable status.	Ask a manager or admin. Members and Time trackers see time logs inherit from the task or project but can't change them.

Who can change billable status

The billable control appears only on plans that include billable rates, and only for access levels that can change billable status. These are Manager, Workspace Admin and Organization Admin. A Member or Time tracker doesn't see the billable flag and can't change it on a time log. See Billable rates and Access levels in Toggl.

An organization admin can give a Member Rates access to view or edit billable rates. This doesn't let them mark time logs billable.

When billable status is locked

Admins can turn on Lock billable status to the task. With it on, time logs always inherit billable status from their task, and nobody can change it on an individual time log. Any billable status that was set by hand is ignored and replaced by the task's.

To find or change the setting, open Admin settings and go to Required fields, then look under Time logs. Required fields is available on Premium and above, and only workspace admins and organization admins can change it. See Required Fields for Tasks and Time Logs.

With the lock on, the fix for a non-billable time log is to make its task billable, or move the time log to a billable task.

Common questions

I changed the project to billable but old time logs are still non-billable

Time logs that follow the project update when you change it. Time logs that were marked by hand don't. Check whether someone marked those non-billable, or whether the lock in When billable status is locked is on.

My time log is billable but shows no amount in reports

A time log can be billable and still have no rate. Rates come from the project member, project, workspace member or workspace level, in that order. The Projects list shows Billable: No rate for a billable project without one. Amounts and rates, including the Billable time and Amount in the Time logs Total row, only show to people who can see billable rates. Members see them only if an organization admin has turned on Rates access for them. See Billable rates.

Why can't I see the billable icon?

Billable status needs a plan with billable rates, which starts at Starter. It also needs an access level that can change billable status. If you're a Member, ask a manager or admin.

Does logging time from the browser extension or calendar change it?

The same rules apply. A time log started from a task or project inherits from it. In the extension, people who can change billable status can select the billable icon on a time log in the popup list to mark it billable or non-billable. Time logs in a submitted or approved timesheet period are locked there. Calendar matching rules can set billable on events. See Time Tracking in Toggl.

Does Toggl invoice from billable time?

No. Billable time and rates are used in reports, and you can export them to your invoicing tool. See Does Toggl support invoicing?