Freelancer invoice template

You are a freelance professional who delivers a unique service to each of your clients – you can’t afford to spend time on administrative tasks like constantly creating different invoices. You need to get paid for your hard work and expertise, so why not get a little help with running your freelance business? Use one of our easy-to-use, fully customizable professional invoice templates in Word, Excel, PDF, Google Docs, and Google Sheets. Spend your time, energy, and expertise on your clients – not on invoicing.

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Choose the best invoice template for your freelance business

Freelance business

As a freelancer, your flexibility is an incredible advantage. This invoice template for freelancers is also supremely flexible so it can be used to bill all your clients, no matter what freelance services you provide. Add or subtract line items to describe the relevant details for any kind of project.

As a freelancer, your flexibility is an incredible advantage. This invoice template for freelancers is also supremely flexible so it can be used to bill all your clients, no matter what services you provide. Add or subtract line items to describe the relevant details for any kind of project.

Consulting services

If you provide freelance consulting services that help your clients improve their businesses, or their everyday lives – improve your ability to get paid promptly and properly with this free invoice template.

If you provide freelance consulting services for clients, you should get paid properly. Use this consulting invoice template to clearly outline your fees and get paid promptly by clients.

Agency clients

Don’t waste your energy designing an invoice for each of your agency clients. Use your time and effort dazzling them with your outstanding freelance services instead. This free invoice template can be easily customized to meet all your agency invoicing needs.

Retainer services

Download, customize, and send this invoice to clients who hire your freelance services on retainer. It can be modified to be sent at any time period for your retainer fees, with extra lines to fill in any additional service requests.

Download, customize, and send this retainer invoice to clients who hire your freelance services long-term. It can be modified to be sent at any time period for your retainer fees, with extra lines to fill in any additional service requests.

Technical

Do you provide technical freelance services that make your client’s lives easier? Capture the costs for the work you have done with this free freelancer invoice template – and make sure you are compensated for your specialized knowledge and skills.

Alternatives to using freelancer invoice templates

Make your freelance business a success by finding out more about what Wave can offer you. Save time and take even more work off your hands by trying our free automated invoicing and powerful accounting.

Start sending free invoices today

Why freelancers should send professional invoices

Illustration of invoice being sent

As a professional freelancer, you bring your experience, unique skills, and knowledge to every project you complete for your clients - from writing to design. That means you need to have clear, organized invoices that include enough detail to highlight the great work you have provided, as well as show your clients the advantage of working with you.

Your invoice works double duty as a reminder of your outstanding work so your clients will call you again, as well as refer you to their business associates and friends.

An orderly, well-designed invoice also instills confidence and credibility in your reputation and personal brand. You are an expert in your field – make sure your invoice reflects your skill and professionalism.

Many other templates are available for download on our site. View our complete template collection.

How to fill out your freelancer invoice

Once you've downloaded your free invoice template, you'll need to customize it to fit your specific business. Here are the 10 key things to include on your invoice:

  1. Title and Description: Name the project and briefly describe what type of work your client is being invoiced for.
  2. Company Details: Add your company name, address, phone number, and logo to the top-right corner.
  3. Customer Details: Under "Bill To", add your customer's name, address, and contact information.
  4. Invoice Number: Include a unique invoice number to help you track down this invoice in the future. You can format this based on sequence and customer. For example, if you're sending your very first customer their first invoice,  the invoice number could be 001-001.
  5. Dates: Include the date when your invoice has been issued and the date when payment is due.
  6. Line Item: Add individual line items for each unique good or service you provided. For each line item, include a brief description, quantity, individual unit price, and total price.
  7. Subtotal: Add up the subtotal of your goods or services, before tax has been applied.
  8. Tax: Indicate the tax rate applied to the subtotal. This is legally required to provide on invoices, and your rate may differ depending on where you run your business.
  9. Total: Outline the total amount due from the customer, after tax.
  10. Notes: Include any additional info your customer should know, including terms of service and payment terms (for example, payments are due 30 days after the invoice has been issued).

What should be included on an invoice for freelancers?

You always deliver your best work – so make sure you send out an invoice that accurately reflects your time and talents by following these critical invoicing steps.

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  • Look through our great selection of freelancer invoice templates in different designs and colors, and pick the one you like best in the format you usually use – such as Word, Excel, PDF, Google Docs, or Google Sheets
  • Download the invoice template. It’s fast and it’s free!
  • Add your freelance business name, address, phone number, and email address
  • Insert your beautifully designed freelance business logo, along with your website, and any graphics you use to represent your business
  • Add in your client’s name and contact information
  • Generate a unique invoice number and add it to the template
  • Include the date of the invoice and the payment due date
  • List the freelance work you’ve done, and the price for each portion based on your hourly or flat rate
  • Add lines to include any extra charges, such as travel, or overnight or rush jobs
  • If you are including a discount for a regular or agency client, or to encourage future work from a first-time client, add a line explaining the discount so your client knows they are getting an extremely good price for your expert freelance services
  • Calculate the price, including applicable tax, and enter the total
  • Include your payment terms, such as the methods of payment you accept
  • Make sure you add a personal note at the end, such as a thank you, or to tell your client how much you enjoyed working with them. After all, it’s your personal touch that sets you apart from the competition in your field!
  • Save a copy of the invoice – and give it to your client!

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When is the right time to send an invoice to your freelance clients?

The right time to send an invoice varies with the type of freelance services you provide. Some freelancers wait to send an invoice at the end of a job or project.

As an independent business owner, you need to keep the revenue coming in, so many freelancers ask for payment up front, or for a percentage of the estimated cost up front, if the project will span many weeks and involve a lot of materials or supplies.

Whatever payment time period you choose, make sure it’s clearly noted on each invoice, and clarify what portion of the final ‘cost’ has been paid to date.

Illustration of hourglass timer

Invoicing tips for freelancers

Include professional recommendations

Keep a record with numbered invoices

Always include a ‘payment due’ date

Don’t be shy about following up

Free Invoice Template vs. Wave Invoicing Software

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Track sales and sales tax for accounting
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