What is Free Float?

In project management, free float refers to the amount of time a job may be postponed without influencing the start of another dependent work, similar to having spare time in your schedule that will not create delays for other tasks. It is the ability to change your mind about a given activity without producing a domino impact on following duties. Consider a road trip where you intend to stop for food along the route. If your itinerary allows for a one-hour stop but you only take 30 minutes, the extra 30 minutes are your free time and do not affect your arrival time. Free float in projects is like the additional time built into tasks that gives you some breathing room without hurting the overall project timetable.