Free Eisenhower Matrix
Templates — Every Format
May 18, 2026
The Eisenhower Matrix is simple in concept and powerful in practice. But most people stall at the very first step: getting the blank page in front of them in a format that actually fits how they work. A good template removes that friction — it puts the grid, the labels, and the task areas in front of you in under 30 seconds.
This page collects every format we offer: Notion, Google Sheets, printable PDF, and our own digital tool. Each format has real tradeoffs. Scroll to the right section for your workflow.
What Makes a Good Eisenhower Matrix Template
Before downloading the first template you find, it's worth knowing what separates a useful template from a pretty grid that gathers digital dust. A good Eisenhower Matrix template has these components:
The minimum viable template is just a piece of paper divided into four boxes. The maximum is a fully interactive tool that updates urgency indicators based on due dates, supports drag-and-drop task placement, and integrates a focus timer. Choose the format that matches where you are — not where you aspire to be.
All Template Formats
The Notion template will use a database with a Board view filtered to show the 2×2 matrix. Each task will be a Notion page with fields for quadrant, due date, urgency status, tags, and project. The done log will be a filtered view of completed tasks sorted newest-first. Coming soon.
- Task database with quadrant, due date, urgency, and project fields
- Board view configured as a 2×2 matrix by quadrant
- Separate "Inbox" view for unclassified tasks
- Filtered done log sorted by completion date
A pre-formatted spreadsheet with a color-coded 2×2 grid, a task list tab for overflow items, and basic urgency labels. No formulas to maintain — just open, make a copy, and start adding tasks. Works on any device with a browser.
- Pre-formatted 2×2 grid with color-coded quadrant cells
- Task list view with Category column for quadrant assignment
- Due date column with conditional urgency formatting
- Free — no sign-up, just File → Make a copy
A clean, minimal worksheet for analog planners. Available in US Letter and A4. Use one per day for a morning planning ritual, or one per week for a broader review. Works with any pen or pencil. Laminate one copy and use a dry-erase marker for daily reuse.
- Clean 2×2 grid with Do / Plan / Delegate / Drop labels
- Axis labels and lined task areas per quadrant
- Available in US Letter (8.5×11") and A4 (210×297mm)
- No sign-up, no account — instant download
The only format where the Eisenhower Matrix is not a view you navigate to — it's the default. Tasks live in quadrants from the moment you place them. Urgency indicators update automatically as due dates approach. An AI assistant suggests quadrant placement. The built-in Pomodoro timer connects prioritization to execution in one click.
- Drag-and-drop task placement in a live 2×2 matrix
- Automatic urgency indicators based on due dates
- AI quadrant suggestions powered by Claude
- Built-in Pomodoro timer (▶ Focus on any Do or Plan task)
- Project grouping, done log, and weekly stats
How to Use Any Eisenhower Matrix Template
The format doesn't change the underlying method. Whether you're using a printed sheet or an interactive tool, the process is the same:
- 1Capture everything into the queueWrite down every task on your mind — no filtering yet. Get it all out of your head and into the inbox area of the template. This step takes 5 minutes and prevents the mental overhead of holding undone tasks in working memory.
- 2Ask the two questions for each taskIs this urgent — a real deadline within 24-48 hours with real consequences? Is this important — does it directly advance my most important goal? The combination of your answers places the task in one of the four quadrants.
- 3Place each task in the correct quadrantDo (urgent + important), Plan (not urgent + important), Delegate (urgent + not important), Drop (not urgent + not important). If you're unsure, default to Plan — most tasks that feel urgent are actually just loud, not important.
- 4Work from Do first, then PlanStart each day with your Do quadrant. When no Do tasks remain, move to Plan. Delegate and Drop tasks do not get your focused time — handle Delegate tasks in batches between focus sessions.
- 5Review and re-sort dailyTasks move between quadrants as deadlines change. A Plan task from Monday becomes a Do task by Thursday. Spend 5 minutes at the end of each day moving tasks that have become more urgent, and dropping tasks that are no longer relevant.
Which Format Is Right for You?
Each format has a different overhead-to-capability tradeoff. Here's a direct comparison:
| Format | Best for | Drag & drop | Urgency indicators | AI suggestions | Pomodoro timer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Printable PDF | Analog planners, meeting rooms, no-screen sessions | — | — | — | — |
| Google Sheets | Spreadsheet users, team sharing, simple tracking | — | Manual | — | — |
| Notion | Notion power users, linked database workflows | Limited | Manual | — | — |
| Focus Quadrant | Daily use, execution-focused workflows, teams | ✓ | Auto | ✓ | ✓ |
Start with Focus Quadrant if you want a zero-setup digital matrix right now — it's free and requires no install. Printable PDF and Google Sheets templates are coming soon. Use Notion if you already have a Notion workflow you want to integrate (a Notion template is also in progress).
Focus Quadrant keeps your matrix live — urgency updates automatically, tasks drag between quadrants, and every Do or Plan task has a built-in focus timer.
Try Focus Quadrant free →Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — Focus Quadrant is free and gives you a fully digital, interactive matrix. Printable PDF and Google Sheets templates are coming soon. The Focus Quadrant web app is the only format where the matrix enforces prioritization as your primary workflow rather than a static document you maintain manually.
At minimum: a 2×2 grid labeled with the four quadrants (Do, Plan, Delegate, Drop), axis labels (Urgency on one axis, Importance on the other), and space for task names with optional due dates. Advanced templates add a task queue (inbox before classification), urgency indicators, and a done log.
Start by listing all your current tasks in the queue/inbox area. Then for each task, ask two questions: Is this urgent (deadline in 24-48 hours with consequences)? Is this important (directly advances my most important goal)? Place each task in the corresponding quadrant. Review daily and move tasks between quadrants as deadlines change.
A Notion template is coming soon. In the meantime, you can replicate the matrix in Notion manually: create a database, add a “Quadrant” select field with options Do / Plan / Delegate / Drop, and switch to Board view grouped by Quadrant. For a fully working digital version right now, Focus Quadrant requires zero setup.
Yes. The Google Sheets template includes a pre-formatted 2×2 grid, color-coded cells, and a task list view. Go to File → Make a copy to get your own editable version. For teams, share the sheet and use comments to discuss task placement.