# Gantt vs block timeline

> Two ways to show a schedule.

**Short answer.** Use a Gantt chart when exact start and end times matter and lanes share one time axis. Use a block timeline when the status of each item matters more than its dates, team by team.

Updated Nov 2, 2026 · SaaS sample data

## 037 · Gantt

Every item on one time axis, one lane per squad.

Q4 work by squad, Gantt. 11 Q4 2026 items across 4 squads, Sep 1 to Dec 5: 3 shipped, 3 in progress, 2 blocked, 3 planned.

| Squad | Item | Status | Start | End |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Core | Billing v3 | Shipped | Sep 1 | Sep 19 |
| Core | Usage alerts | In progress | Sep 22 | Oct 24 |
| Core | Audit log | Planned | Oct 27 | Nov 21 |
| Growth | Trial nudges | Shipped | Sep 1 | Sep 12 |
| Growth | Pricing page | In progress | Sep 15 | Oct 26 |
| Growth | Referral v2 | Blocked | Oct 27 | Nov 21 |
| Platform | SSO for teams | In progress | Sep 8 | Oct 29 |
| Platform | Rate limits | Planned | Nov 3 | Nov 28 |
| Mobile | Push crash | Blocked | Oct 1 | Oct 17 |
| Mobile | Offline mode | Shipped | Sep 1 | Sep 26 |
| Mobile | Widgets | Planned | Nov 3 | Dec 5 |

## 038 · Block timeline

The same items as blocks per squad, read by status.

Q4 work by squad, block timeline. 11 Q4 2026 items across 4 squads, Sep 1 to Dec 5: 3 shipped, 3 in progress, 2 blocked, 3 planned.

**Same 11 items.** The Gantt shows when each item runs and where squads overlap. The block timeline shows what each squad is on and what is stuck: two items are blocked, Referral v2 and Push crash.

## If you ask

| Question | Use a |
| --- | --- |
| When does each item start and end? | Gantt |
| What is each team on right now? | Block timeline |
| Where do items overlap? | Gantt |
| What is blocked? | Block timeline |

## Gantt and Block timeline compared

|  | Gantt | Block timeline |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Answers | Who is busy when | What each team is on, and its status |
| Shows | Bars on a shared time axis | Blocks per team with status |
| Best when | Exact dates, shared resources | Roadmaps, status reviews |
| Avoid when | Dates are rough | Exact times matter |
| Data shape | Items with a lane, start, end and state | Items with a team and a status |

## Common mistakes

### Gantt

- **No now line.** Mark today, so done and to-come read at once.
- **One lane per item.** Group items into lanes per resource, so clashes show.

### Block timeline

- **Dates on every block.** A block timeline is about status; keep dates for the Gantt.
- **Status with no legend.** Name every state, especially blocked.

## Other ways to show it

- [079 · Milestone track](https://usechartory.com/charts/milestone-track): Schedule and status · SaaS data
- [005 · Floating range bars](https://usechartory.com/charts/floating-range-bars): Distribution · Logistics data
- [092 · Tachograph](https://usechartory.com/charts/tachograph): Schedule and status · Logistics data

## Gantt, block timeline and the other 130 types.

In Figma and React, in four sizes, light and dark. Pay once, every update. [See plans](https://usechartory.com/pricing). [Gantt type page](https://usechartory.com/charts/gantt) · [Block timeline type page](https://usechartory.com/charts/block-timeline)

## Questions

### Can a block timeline show dates?

Days left, yes; exact dates belong on a Gantt.

### Which suits a roadmap page?

The block timeline: status reads at a glance.

### Do both come in every size?

Yes. Gantt and Block timeline come in XS, S, M and L, each laid out again for its size, in light and dark.

### Do they install the same way?

Yes, one command each: npx shadcn add @chartory/gantt and npx shadcn add @chartory/block-timeline.

## More comparisons

- [Sankey vs chord](https://usechartory.com/compare/sankey-vs-chord)
- [Candlestick vs line](https://usechartory.com/compare/candlestick-vs-line)
- [Bullet vs gauge](https://usechartory.com/compare/bullet-vs-gauge)
- [Radar vs parallel coordinates](https://usechartory.com/compare/radar-vs-parallel-coordinates)

Still not sure? Start from what the chart has to show. [Open the Chart Chooser](https://usechartory.com/chooser)