Purpose: According to expectation--confirmation model (ECM) and task-technology fit (TTF) model, the purpose of this paper is to examine the role of TTF in students' cloud-based e-learning continuance and evaluate whether TTF affects students' perceived impact on learning of the cloud-based e-learning system within the educational institution. Design/methodology/approach: Sample data for this study were collected from students enrolled in a comprehensive university in Taiwan. A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed in the campus, and 391 (78.2 percent) usable questionnaires were analyzed using structural equation modeling in this study. Findings: This study's results verified that both task characteristics and technology characteristics affected students' perceived TTF, which significantly contributed to their perceived usefulness, confirmation and satisfaction with the cloud-based e-learning system, and these in turn directly or indirectly led to their continuance intention of the system and perceived impact on learning; essentially, the results strongly supported the research model integrating ECM and TTF model via positioning key constructs as the drivers with all hypothesized links being significant. Originality/value: This study contributes to an understanding of the TTF in explaining students' cloud-based e-learning continuance that is difficult to explain with only their utilitarian perception of the cloud-based e-learning system, and further places considerably more emphasis upon students' perceived impact on learning greatly driven by their TTF in the system. Thus, this study's empirical evidence on incorporating ECM and TTF model can shed light on the outcome for cloud-based e-learning continuance and enhance better understanding of a richer post-adoption model.