Total Float
Scheduling Terms
Reviewed by forProject Technology - updated Sep 2026
Quick definition: Total Float (also called Total Slack) is the amount of time a task can be delayed from its early start without delaying the project finish date or any fixed constraint date.
It's calculated as the smaller of (Late Finish minus Early Finish) or (Late Start minus Early Start). Total Float can be positive, meaning the task has spare time, or negative, meaning the schedule doesn't currently allow enough time to meet a constraint.
Why it matters
Total Float shows exactly how much scheduling cushion exists on every task, which is what determines whether that task sits on the critical path. Negative float is a red flag -- it means a constraint date is already at risk unless something in the schedule changes.
Also known as
Total Slack
Used in
Critical Path; Critical Path Method
FAQ
What does negative Total Float mean?
It means there isn't enough time currently scheduled to meet a constraint date -- time needs to be saved or recovered somewhere in the schedule.
How does Total Float relate to the critical path?
Tasks with the least Total Float in the schedule, often zero, make up the critical path.
Definition maintained by forProject Technology.
© 2026 forProject Technology, Inc.
© 2026 forProject Technology, Inc.
