This paper outlines the guiding principles behind decades of time use diary design and introduces a digital, multi-field diary developed at the Centre for Time Use Research (CTUR). Unlike many online tools that simplify data collection at the cost of detail, this design replicates the comprehensive structure of the Harmonised European Time Use Survey (HETUS) while maintaining a user-friendly, visually intuitive interface. The diary supports both self-completion and interviewer-assisted modes (CATI/CAPI), ensuring continuity with historical data and adaptability for diverse research needs.
We demonstrate the design’s utility in estimating key policy-relevant metrics, including child-related time, ICT use, and behavioural risk for infectious disease transmission, highlighting its value for both research and policy in high- and low-income settings.