Free Invoice Generator

How to create an invoice in 7 easy steps

The form follows the same order as the invoice itself, so you can simply work your way down. Everything you type shows up straight away in the live preview.

1. Choose invoice or quotation and give it a number. The dates fill themselves in, with payment due in 14 days. Change them if you need to.
2. Add your business details and logo. You only do this once; the next time you open the page they are already there.
3. Say who the invoice is for: your client's name, and their address if they need it for their records.
4. List what you are charging for. Give each item a clear description, a quantity and a price. The amounts add up on their own.
5. Add a discount or tax if you use them. The summary underneath shows the subtotal, the tax and the total as you type.
6. Tell the client how to pay, add a short note, sign it if you like, and choose your closing line.
7. Pick a design and a colour, then press Create PDF. You can download it, print it or open it in a new tab.

What should an invoice include?

An invoice is simply a polite, clear request to be paid. A good one answers every question your client might have before they ask it:

• An invoice number that you never reuse. Most people count up: INV-0001, INV-0002, and so on.
• The date you sent it and the date it should be paid by.
• Your details and your client's details, so both sides know exactly who is involved.
• A short description of each item or service, with the quantity and price.
• Any discount and tax, shown on their own lines so the total is easy to check.
• How to pay: bank details, a payment link, or the methods you accept.

If you are registered for VAT, GST or sales tax, your country may ask for extra details such as your tax number. When in doubt, a quick check with your local tax office or an accountant is worth it.

Invoice or quotation?

A quotation (also called an estimate) comes before the work. It tells the client what the job will cost so they can decide. An invoice comes after the work is done or the goods are delivered, and asks for payment. A handy habit: send the quotation first, and when it is accepted, switch the same document to an invoice and give it an invoice number.

Payment terms, explained simply

• Due on receipt: please pay as soon as you get this.
• Net 7, Net 14, Net 30: please pay within 7, 14 or 30 days of the invoice date.
• Deposit: part of the price paid before work starts. Enter it under "Amount already paid".

Shorter terms usually mean you get paid sooner. Whatever you choose, write it in the notes so there are no surprises.

Tips to get paid faster

• Send the invoice as soon as the work is finished, while it is fresh in your client's mind.
• Use the client's own reference or purchase order number if they gave you one. Their accounts team will thank you.
• Make paying effortless: full bank details or a payment link, written clearly.
• Keep track of which invoices have been paid. A simple cashbook like TallyKnot Local makes that easy.

Frequently asked questions