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Jira JQL Cheat Sheet: 20 Queries Every Team Needs

· 5 min read
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Quick Answer

JQL (Jira Query Language) lets you search for issues using fields, operators, and values. Master 20 essential queries to find issues fast, track sprint health, and build custom dashboards.

What you'll learn
  1. The JQL syntax basics that power every query
  2. 20 copy-paste queries for common searches
  3. How to use JQL functions for dynamic, date-aware filters
  4. How to save and share filters for dashboards

Jira's search is powerful, but most teams only scratch the surface. They type a few keywords into the search bar, get overwhelmed by results, and give up. JQL — Jira Query Language — is the key to unlocking precise, repeatable searches that find exactly what you need.

This cheat sheet covers 20 essential JQL queries, from basic field searches to advanced functions. Each query is copy-paste ready.

JQL Syntax Basics​

Every JQL query follows this structure:

field operator value [AND|OR field operator value ...]

Fields are properties of issues:

  • status — current workflow state
  • assignee — who it is assigned to
  • priority — High, Medium, Low, etc.
  • created — when the issue was created
  • updated — when the issue was last modified
  • summary — the issue title
  • text — full-text search across all fields

Operators compare fields to values:

  • = / != — equals / not equals
  • > / < / >= / <= — greater/less than (for dates and numbers)
  • ~ / !~ — contains / does not contain (for text fields)
  • in — matches any value in a list
  • is — used with EMPTY

Values are the data you are searching for:

  • Strings: "in progress" (quoted if multi-word)
  • Dates: 2026-07-01 or relative: -7d (7 days ago)
  • Functions: currentUser(), now(), startOfWeek()

10 Essential JQL Queries​

1. Find all issues assigned to me​

assignee = currentUser()

2. Find all open issues in a project​

project = MYPROJECT AND status != Done

3. Find issues created in the last 7 days​

created >= -7d

4. Find high-priority bugs​

priority = High AND issuetype = Bug

5. Find issues updated in the last 3 days​

updated >= -3d

6. Find issues with no assignee​

assignee IS EMPTY AND status != Done

7. Find issues blocked by another issue​

issue in linkedIssues("BLOCKER-123", "is blocked by")

8. Find all stories in the current sprint​

sprint in openSprints() AND issuetype = Story

9. Find issues due this week​

due >= startOfWeek() AND due <= endOfWeek()

10. Find issues you reported​

reporter = currentUser()

10 Advanced JQL Queries​

11. Find issues with no comments​

comment IS EMPTY AND status != Done

12. Find issues updated by someone else recently​

updated >= -1d AND assignee = currentUser() AND reporter != currentUser()

13. Find all epics with open stories​

issuetype = Epic AND issueFunction in hasSubTask("status != Done")

14. Find issues with a specific label​

labels = "needs-review"

15. Find issues created this month​

created >= startOfMonth()

16. Find issues with high story points​

cf[10002] >= 8

17. Find issues not updated in 14 days​

updated <= -14d AND status != Done

18. Find all sub-tasks of a specific issue​

parent = "PROJ-123"

19. Find issues with a specific fix version​

fixVersion = "v2.1.0"

20. Find issues in multiple projects​

project in (PROJECT_A, PROJECT_B) AND status = "In Progress"

How to Save and Share Filters​

Once you have a useful query, save it as a filter:

  1. Run your JQL query in the search bar
  2. Click Save as in the top right
  3. Name the filter (e.g., "My Open Issues")
  4. Choose Private or Shared visibility
  5. Click Save

Use saved filters in:

  • Dashboards (Filter Results gadget)
  • Boards (configure board filter)
  • Subscriptions (daily email of matching issues)
  • Quick filters on your board

FAQ​

What is JQL in Jira?​

JQL stands for Jira Query Language. It is a structured query language used to search for issues in Jira. JQL uses fields (like status, assignee, priority), operators (like =, !=, >, <), and values to build precise search queries.

How do I find all issues assigned to me?​

Use the query: assignee = currentUser(). This dynamically finds all issues assigned to the currently logged-in user regardless of project or status.

How do I search for issues created in the last 7 days?​

Use: created >= -7d. The -7d syntax means '7 days ago from today.' You can also use -1w for one week or -1m for one month.

Can I use JQL in Jira dashboards?​

Yes. Save a JQL query as a filter, then use the filter in dashboard gadgets like Filter Results, Assigned to Me, or Two Dimensional Statistics. The gadget re-runs the query automatically.

What is the difference between JQL and SQL?​

JQL is specifically designed for Jira issue searching and uses a simplified syntax. SQL is a general-purpose database language. JQL uses field names and operators rather than tables and joins.

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