Updated October 18, 2026
Freelance invoice payment terms tell your client when payment is due, how to pay and which invoice the payment covers. Net 7 means payment is due seven days after the invoice date; Net 15 means fifteen days; Net 30 means thirty days. Put both the term and the actual due date on your invoice.
For example, an invoice dated October 18, 2026 with Net 30 terms is due on November 17, 2026. Agree on the deadline before the work starts, then repeat it in the invoice notes.
Need a deadline for your own invoice? Use the free invoice due date calculator to check Net 7, 15, 30, 60, 90 or custom terms, then copy matching payment wording.
Net 7, Net 15 and Net 30 at a glance
| Payment term | Meaning | Example due date |
|---|---|---|
| Due on receipt | Payment is due when the client receives the invoice. | State the receipt-based deadline clearly. |
| Net 7 | Pay within 7 days of the invoice date. | October 25, 2026 |
| Net 15 | Pay within 15 days of the invoice date. | November 2, 2026 |
| Net 30 | Pay within 30 days of the invoice date. | November 17, 2026 |
| Net 60 | Pay within 60 calendar days of the invoice date. | December 17, 2026 |
| Net 90 | Pay within 90 calendar days of the invoice date. | January 16, 2027 |
| Deposit and balance | Pay an agreed deposit, then pay the remaining amount at an agreed milestone. | Write a deadline for each payment. |
These are examples of terms you can agree with a client, not a rule that every industry or country must follow. If a contract measures the deadline from receipt or approval instead of the invoice date, say so explicitly.
Invoice payment terms examples you can copy
Net 15 for a completed freelance project
Payment of $1,200 is due within 15 days of the invoice date: November 2, 2026. Please pay by bank transfer using invoice number INV-2026-0042 as the payment reference.
Net 30 for a client with a monthly payment process
Payment is due by November 17, 2026, which is 30 days after the invoice date. Please include the invoice number with your payment and contact the sender if your accounts-payable team needs additional information.
A deposit already paid
Project total: $1,200. Deposit received: $300. Remaining balance: $900, due on November 2, 2026. Please use the invoice number as your payment reference.
Replace the amounts, dates and payment method with your agreed details. Do not add a discount, charge or condition that you have not discussed with the client.
Due on receipt
Payment is due on receipt of this invoice, as agreed before work began. Please use the invoice number as your payment reference and the payment instructions below.
Monthly freelance services
This invoice covers the services listed for October 1–31, 2026. Payment is due by November 15, 2026. Please include the invoice number with your payment.
The billing period identifies the work. The invoice date and due date identify the payment request. Check all three against your agreement.
How to choose payment terms for freelance work
- Check the agreement: use the deadline in your accepted proposal or contract.
- Ask who processes invoices: the person who approves your work may not be the person who pays you.
- Check the client's requirements: a purchase-order number, billing address or project reference can prevent avoidable delays.
- Consider the work schedule: a deposit or milestone schedule can suit a project that spans several weeks.
- Choose a deadline you can support: consider your expenses and the time between completing the work and receiving payment.
No single term is best for every freelancer. A repeat client, a first project and a long assignment can need different arrangements. Confirm the terms before delivering the invoice.
Net 15 vs Net 30 for freelance projects
Net 15 requests payment sooner; Net 30 gives the client a longer processing window. My recommendation is to ask about the client's payment process before you quote. A deadline is more useful when you know who can approve and pay the invoice. Neither term is a universal requirement for freelance work.
For a new client or a long project, discuss a deposit and milestone payments before you start. Confirm the amount, work covered and deadline for each stage. Repeat that arrangement on the invoice instead of introducing new conditions when you send the bill.
Calendar days, weekends and one-month terms
These examples count calendar days, with the invoice date as day zero. Net 30 is not always one calendar month: January 31, 2026 plus 30 days is March 2, 2026. Weekends count. Do not move a deadline to a working day unless that matches your agreement.
If your contract starts the payment window from receipt, approval or delivery, use that starting date. The payment due date calculator adds calendar days; it does not apply business-day rules or public holidays.
A worked invoice example
This fictional example shows a $1,200 project with a $300 deposit already received.
| Description | Quantity | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website design | 1 project | $900 | $900 |
| Setup and handover | 2 hours | $150 | $300 |
- Invoice number: INV-2026-0042
- Invoice date: October 18, 2026
- Terms: Net 15
- Due date: November 2, 2026
- Total: $1,200
- Amount paid: $300
- Balance due: $900
No tax, discount or shipping charge is included in this example. Add the applicable details for your own invoice.
Add payment terms in CatInvoice
- Open the free invoice editor and add your business and client details.
- Add the invoice date and due date, then enter your line items and rates.
- Enter a deposit you have received in the amount-paid field.
- Put the agreed deadline, accepted payment method and payment reference in the invoice notes or terms.
- Review the preview and balance due, then download a PDF or print.
CatInvoice helps you prepare the document. It does not collect payments, send automatic reminders or check whether money has reached your bank. Record payment updates yourself and export a backup of saved invoices.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Writing only “Net 30” without an actual due date.
- Changing the agreed deadline when sending the invoice.
- Leaving out a purchase-order or project reference the client requires.
- Requesting the full total when a deposit has already been received.
- Listing a payment method without the instructions needed to use it.
- Assuming invoice terms alone decide accounting or tax treatment.
Frequently asked questions
What does Net 30 mean on an invoice?
Net 30 normally means the full payment is due 30 days after the invoice date. If your agreement uses a different starting point, state that starting point and the actual due date.
Is Net 15 better than Net 30 for freelancers?
Net 15 gives a shorter payment window, but the right term depends on your agreement, expenses and the client's payment process. Confirm the deadline before starting the work.
Is Net 15 the same as two weeks?
No. Two weeks is 14 days. Net 15 means 15 days after the agreed starting date.
Where should I write payment terms?
Write the agreed terms in the invoice notes or terms section. Keep the due date visible and include payment instructions and the invoice number.
Can I show a deposit on the invoice?
Yes. Show the project total, the amount already paid and the remaining balance. In CatInvoice, enter a received deposit as amount paid and review the updated balance before exporting.
Related invoicing guides
- What an invoice is and which fields to include
- How to create an invoice
- How to organize and track invoices
For UK-specific invoicing requirements, see GOV.UK invoicing guidance. Required details and payment rules vary by location.