Freelance Invoice Template

Bill a client for hourly or project work with this free freelance invoice template. The sample shows 12 hours at $65 and a fixed-fee logo package; swap in your own hours, rate and deliverables, add payment terms, then print it or save it as a PDF.

No signup; drafts stay in this browser, separate from the free printable invoice template. Track your hours first with the free time card calculator.

INVOICE

Invoice #

Date

Due date

PO number

Currency

Description	Qty	Rate	Amount

Notes / payment terms

Subtotal $0.00

Tax (%) $0.00

Discount

Total due $0.00

Hourly, project or retainer: how to write the lines

Hourly

Hours go in Qty and your hourly rate in Rate. “Design work, 12 hrs × $65” comes to $780.00. Use one line per task or per week so the client can check it.

Per project

One line per deliverable with a quantity of 1, such as “Logo package (fixed fee)”. Name what was delivered, not just the project.

Retainer

A single line for the period, such as “Retainer, October 2026 (up to 20 hours)”. Bill extra hours on their own line.

Paid by the hour? Log start, finish and breaks with the free time card calculator, then copy the total hours into Qty.

What freelancers often forget

The client's PO number. Larger clients often can't pay an invoice without it. Ask for it before you invoice and put it in PO number.

A late-fee line. If you charge one, say so in your terms before the work starts and repeat it in Notes. Check what is allowed where you work.

Deposits already received. Write the deposit and the date it was paid in Notes (for example “Deposit of $300 received 3 October; balance due below”) so nobody pays twice.

A due date and how to pay. A due date and your bank or payment details make it easy to pay on time. See payment terms for wording.

A unique number. Keep one sequence across all clients; see invoice numbering.

How to fill in your freelance invoice

Add your details. Your name or business name, contact details and logo under From.

Add the client. The client's legal name and billing address under Bill to, and their PO number if they gave you one.

List your hours and deliverables. Hours × rate for time-based work, one line per fixed-fee deliverable.

Add terms. Tax if you charge it, and payment terms such as “Net 14, bank transfer” in Notes. The due date is set 14 days out; change it to match your terms.

Print or save a PDF. Click Print / Save PDF and send the PDF to the client.

General information only, not tax, legal or accounting advice. Invoice and tax rules differ by country, state and industry, so check with your local tax authority or an accountant for your situation.

Freelance invoice FAQ

How do freelancers invoice for hourly work?

List each task or date range as its own line, with the hours in the quantity column and your hourly rate in the rate column. The template multiplies them for you. Add a short description of the work, your payment terms such as Net 14, and how the client can pay.

Should I charge a deposit before starting?

Many freelancers ask for 25-50% up front on project work, especially with new clients. Invoice the deposit first, then show it as a payment received or a negative line on the final invoice so the balance due is clear. Agree the deposit in writing before you start.

What payment terms should a freelancer use?

Common choices are due on receipt, Net 7, Net 14 or Net 30. Shorter terms help cash flow, and new clients usually accept them if you state them before the work starts. Put the terms and any late fee in the invoice notes, and keep them consistent across clients.