Invoice payment terms explained

“Payment terms” tell the client exactly when payment is due. Getting them clear — and visible — is one of the simplest ways to get paid on time.

The common terms

Term	Means
Due on receipt	Pay as soon as the invoice arrives. Fastest, best for one-off or small jobs.
Net 7 / Net 15	Pay within 7 or 15 days of the invoice date. A good default for freelancers.
Net 30	Pay within 30 days. Common with larger companies; expect to wait the full month.
Net 60 / 90	Longer terms some big clients require — push back if cash flow is tight.

Which should you use?

Shorter terms get you paid sooner, so default to Net 15 (or Due on receipt for small jobs) unless a client requires otherwise. If a big client insists on Net 30+, consider asking for a deposit up front or offering a small early-payment discount (e.g. “2% off if paid within 10 days”).

Make the terms work

State the term and the actual due date — “Net 15 (due July 1)” leaves no ambiguity.
Put the total and due date where they can't be missed.
Mention any late fee up front so it's not a surprise.
Send the invoice immediately — the clock usually starts on the invoice date.

The free invoice generator has fields for the issue date, due date, and notes, so you can spell out your terms and download a clean PDF in one click — no sign-up, data stays in your browser.