Free Invoice Template
Word & Google Docs
Whether you’re a freelancer sending your first invoice or a small business owner who needs a clean, professional format — these templates cover everything. Fill in your details, send as PDF, and get paid.
What Every Invoice Must Include
A professional invoice has specific elements that protect you legally and make it easy for clients to pay. Missing any of these can cause payment delays:
| Field | What to Write | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Invoice Number | Unique ID per invoice (e.g. INV-001). Use for tracking and tax records. | Required |
| Invoice Date | The date you issued the invoice | Required |
| Due Date | When payment is expected — e.g. Net 30, Net 15, or Due on Receipt | Required |
| Your Business Details | Name, address, email, phone. Add ABN/GST number if applicable. | Required |
| Client Details | Client name or company, address, and email | Required |
| Line Items | Description of each service/product, quantity, unit rate, and total | Required |
| Subtotal | Total before tax | Required |
| Tax / GST | Tax rate and amount — required if you’re VAT/GST registered | If applicable |
| Total Due | Final amount the client owes | Required |
| Payment Method | Bank transfer details, PayPal, Stripe, cheque — however you accept payment | Required |
| Notes / Terms | Late payment fees, thank you message, or specific terms | Recommended |
The 2 Templates (Preview)
Template 1 — Standard Freelance Invoice
Best for: freelancers, consultants, and small businesses sending invoices without a tax registration requirement.
[Address] | [Email] | [Phone] ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── BILL TO INVOICE # [INV-001] [Client Name / Company] DATE [Issue Date] [Client Address] DUE DATE [Due Date] [Client Email] PROJECT [Project Name] ┌──────────────────────────────┬───────┬────────────┬────────────┐ │ DESCRIPTION │ QTY │ RATE │ AMOUNT │ ├──────────────────────────────┼───────┼────────────┼────────────┤ │ [Service / Item 1] │ [1] │ $[0.00] │ $[0.00] │ │ [Service / Item 2] │ [1] │ $[0.00] │ $[0.00] │ │ [Service / Item 3] │ [1] │ $[0.00] │ $[0.00] │ └──────────────────────────────┴───────┴────────────┴────────────┤ Subtotal $[0.00] │ Tax $[0.00] │ TOTAL DUE $[0.00] │ └ NOTES: [Payment due within 30 days. Thank you for your business.] PAYMENT: [Bank Transfer / PayPal] Account: [Details]
Template 2 — Tax / GST Invoice
Best for: VAT-registered businesses in the UK, GST-registered businesses in Australia, India, Canada, and EU businesses. The GST/Tax column is a legal requirement in many jurisdictions.
[Business Name] | ABN/GST: [Number]
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Try FreshBooks Free →Which Template Should You Use?
| Your Situation | Use This Template | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Freelancer, no tax registration | Standard Freelance | Clean and simple — no tax column needed |
| UK VAT-registered business | Tax / GST Invoice | VAT must be shown separately by law |
| Australian GST-registered business | Tax / GST Invoice | ATO requires GST shown on all tax invoices |
| Indian business (GST registered) | Tax / GST Invoice | GST-compliant format required by law |
| US freelancer / sole trader | Standard Freelance | No VAT in the US — add sales tax manually if needed |
| Agency billing a client | Standard Freelance | Multiple line items format works perfectly |
6 Invoice Tips to Get Paid Faster
Invoice Do’s and Don’ts
- Include a unique invoice number
- Specify the exact due date
- List each service as a separate line item
- Send as PDF, not editable Word
- Include your payment method clearly
- Follow up if payment is late
- Vague descriptions like “work done”
- Forgetting to include the due date
- Sending without your contact details
- Using the same invoice number twice
- Skipping tax details if you’re registered
- Waiting weeks before following up
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you send — check it’s perfect
Run your invoice notes and email through Grammarly to catch any errors before the client sees them. First impressions on paper matter.
Check with Grammarly Free →