Free Freelance Invoice Template UK
Whether you bill by the day, charge a fixed project fee, or invoice on a monthly retainer — here is everything you need to invoice clients correctly and get paid on time.
Create a Freelance Invoice — FreeNo credit card required. Free plan available.
Choose your billing method
The right billing method depends on your work type and client relationship. QuickBill supports all of them.
Day rate / hourly
Most common for contractorsBill by the day or hour. List the number of days or hours worked and your rate. Common for contractors and consultants.
5 days × £400/day = £2,000
Fixed-price project
Most common for creativesA single agreed fee for a defined deliverable. Common for designers, developers, and copywriters.
Website redesign (fixed price) = £3,500
Milestone billing
Best for long projectsSplit a large project into stages — invoice at each milestone rather than waiting until the end. Reduces risk on long projects.
Phase 1 of 3 (discovery & wireframes) = £1,200
Retainer
Best for ongoing clientsA recurring monthly fee for ongoing availability or a set number of hours. Bill on the same date each month.
Monthly retainer — 8 hrs support = £960
What to include on a freelance invoice
A well-structured invoice reduces the chance of a query from your client's accounts team — which is the most common cause of late payment.
Invoice number
A sequential reference — e.g. INV-001. Your client's accounts team will use this to match payment.
Your name / trading name
Your full name, or your freelance business name if you have one.
Your address and contact details
Address, email, and optionally phone. Required for HMRC records.
Client name and address
The legal name of the company or individual you are billing. Use the entity that will process payment.
Purchase order number (if applicable)
Many companies require you to quote a PO number or cost code on the invoice. Always ask before sending.
Invoice date and payment due date
Standard UK freelance terms are 30 days. You can negotiate shorter terms — 14 days is increasingly common.
Description of work
Be specific. "Development work" will get queried; "Front-end development for homepage redesign — Sprint 3" will not.
Days / hours / units and rate
The quantity and your rate per unit. Keep this clear so the client can verify it against their records.
Total amount due
State the currency. If working internationally, specify whether the client bears any transfer fees.
Payment details
UK bank sort code and account number. For international clients, also include IBAN, BIC/SWIFT, and bank address.
Late payment clause
Optional but recommended. See the wording below.
Late payment clause wording
Adding a late payment clause to every invoice sets expectations upfront and gives you a legal basis to claim interest if a client pays late. Copy this to your invoice notes field:
“Payment is due within 30 days of invoice date. In accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, interest will be charged at 8% above the Bank of England base rate on any overdue amount, together with reasonable debt recovery costs.”
Should you ask for a deposit?
For new clients or large projects, asking for a deposit (typically 25–50% upfront) is standard practice and entirely reasonable. It confirms the client is serious and covers your costs if the project is cancelled.
New client
50% upfront
No track record — protect yourself.
Large project (£2,000+)
25–33% upfront
Covers materials and early-stage work.
Existing client
None or 25%
Trust established — your call.
VAT invoice generator
If you are VAT registered
UK invoice template
General sole trader invoice guide
Send your next invoice in two minutes
QuickBill handles the formatting, VAT calculations, and follow-up reminders so you can focus on your work.
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