An invoice is a document a seller sends to a buyer to request payment for goods or services already provided or agreed. It lists what was sold, the price, any tax, the total and the date payment is due. This free invoice generator builds a PDF in your browser.
When to use an invoice
Send an invoice when you have done the work or delivered the goods and expect to be paid later. Common cases:
- A freelancer finishes a project and bills the client.
- A small business sells to another business on credit terms.
- A contractor bills for materials and labor at the end of a job.
- A supplier ships an order and wants payment within a set period.
If the customer has already paid, send a receipt instead. If you have not agreed on a price yet, send a quote first. The how to invoice a client guide covers the steps in order.
What to include on an invoice
The form maps directly to the fields most clients expect:
- Your business name, address and email under "From (your business)".
- Client name and address under "Billed to".
- Invoice number. See the invoice numbering guide for formats that work.
- Date and due date in the document details.
- Currency, from 12 options.
- Line items: description, quantity and unit price.
- Tax % per line, if tax applies. Totals show subtotal, tax and total.
- Notes for bank details, payment instructions, references or a thank-you.
The what to include on an invoice guide goes deeper on each field. Requirements vary by country, so check with your tax authority or accountant.
How to create an invoice with this generator
- Fill in "From (your business)" with your name, address and email.
- Enter the client name and address under "Billed to".
- In "Document details", set the invoice number, the date, the due date and the currency.
- Add each item in "Line items" with a description, quantity and unit price. Click "Add item" for more rows.
- Enter a Tax % on any line that needs it.
- Use "Notes" for payment terms, bank details or a reference number.
- Check the live preview.
- Click "Download PDF".
The tool does not save your work. Keep the PDF in your own files. There is no logo upload or signature field, so print and sign the PDF if you need a signature.
Common mistakes
- Missing or duplicate invoice numbers. Each invoice needs its own number.
- No due date. Without one, clients pay when they feel like it. Read about setting payment terms.
- Unclear descriptions. Say what was delivered and, if useful, the period or reference.
- Wrong currency. Check it before you send, especially for international clients.
- Leaving out how to pay. Put bank details or payment instructions in Notes.
- Not keeping a copy. Save every PDF yourself.
Invoice vs related documents
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Quote | Offers a price before work starts |
| Invoice | Requests payment |
| Receipt | Confirms payment was made |
| Credit note | Reduces or cancels an earlier invoice |
If you made a mistake or the client returned goods, issue a credit note. For a price offer, use the quote generator. After payment arrives, confirm with a receipt.
Related tools
The invoice calculator helps you check totals before you enter them. To get paid sooner, read how to get paid faster.
Tax, payment and invoicing rules differ between countries and industries. Use this tool to produce a clear document, and ask your accountant if you are unsure about local rules, such as how long to keep records.
Prefer to fill it in Word, Excel or by hand? Download our free invoice and receipt templates in DOCX, XLSX and PDF.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the PDF have a watermark?
- No. The PDF has no watermark and no mention of this site. The tool is free with no limit on how many documents you make. You do not need an account or an email address. The PDF is made in your browser, and your details are not sent to our server.
- How do I create an invoice for free?
- Open the generator, enter your business details, your client, the invoice number, the date and the due date. Add your line items and click Download PDF. The preview updates as you type. There is no account to create and no cost.
- What should an invoice include?
- An invoice should include your details, the client details, a unique invoice number, the issue date, the due date, a description of each item, quantities, prices, any tax and the total. Legal requirements vary by country, so check with your tax authority or accountant.
- How do I number my invoices?
- Use a simple sequence that never repeats, such as 1001, 1002, 1003, or a year prefix like 2026-001. Keep the same format for every invoice. A clear sequence makes it easier to track payments and spot missing documents. Never reuse a number for a different invoice.
- Can I add tax to an invoice?
- Yes. Every line item has a Tax % field. The totals show the subtotal, the tax amount and the total. Use the rate that applies in your country and ask your accountant if you are unsure which one to charge. Leave the field empty or at zero for tax-free items.
- Can I set payment terms on the invoice?
- Yes. Pick a due date in the document details, then add terms such as bank details or a late-payment note in the Notes section. The tool has no late-fee field, so write any fee terms as plain text in Notes.
- Does the invoice generator store my data?
- No. The tool runs in your browser and nothing you type is stored on our server. Your invoice is not kept between visits. Download the PDF and save your own copy before you close the page. The tool cannot recover it for you later.