Jira custom field description can't exceed 255 characters

Summary

When you try to add or use a custom field on any screen, you see the error message:

"Description can't exceed 255 characters."

Solution

Edit field description to fewer than 255 characters

Jira has a hard character limit for custom field descriptions. This limit cannot be adjusted in Jira Cloud.

If you're seeing this error, you will need to edit the field's description to a value smaller than 255 characters.

1. Navigate to ⚙️Settings > Work items > Custom fields

2. Search for the custom field by name

3. Select ... (more options) > Edit details

4. Adjust the field's description

5. Save changes

Note: If you require changes to the current 255-character limit, you can vote and watch the open feature request (JRACLOUD-95360) for updates or progress.

Alternative: Use a different field type

If you need to input more than 255 characters, consider using a 'Text Field (multi-line)' custom field, which supports up to approximately 32,000 characters. Ensure this field type suits your project's requirements and is configured correctly in your workflows.

Additional Advanced Options:

For advanced scenarios, you can use the Jira Rest API to programmatically update field descriptions or input data exceeding UI restrictions. Be cautious while implementing these changes and consult Jira's API documentation for guidance.