How it works

Fill in the form and the invoice builds itself in the preview below. Change anything and the preview updates straight away. When it looks right, print it or save it as a PDF, or copy it as plain text to paste into an email. We built this because our freelancer invoice template guide kept getting the same question: can I just have the fields filled in for me? This is that template, as a tool.

Nothing you type leaves your browser. There is no account, no upload, and nothing is stored: close the tab and it is gone, so keep a copy of every invoice you send.

What makes a valid UK invoice

GOV.UK lists what every invoice must include: a unique identification number; your company name, address and contact information; the company name and address of the customer; a clear description of what you are charging for; the date the goods or service were provided; the date of the invoice; the amount or amounts being charged; the VAT amount if applicable; and the total amount owed. This generator covers all of them: the number, dates, both parties, itemised lines and totals are all in the form above.

Three details catch freelancers out:

  • Sole traders must show your own name and any business name you use, plus an address where legal documents can be delivered if you trade under a business name.
  • If you are VAT-registered, the invoice must also show your VAT registration number, the VAT rate and the VAT amount in sterling. Only charge VAT if you are registered: adding a VAT line to look professional is a fast route to trouble with HMRC. The standard UK VAT rate is 20%.
  • Limited companies must use the full company name exactly as it appears on the certificate of incorporation. Include your company registration number too — it is required on your business letters, order forms and website, and most clients expect to see it on the invoice.

For the full field-by-field explanation, including why each one prevents a specific late payment, read our freelancer invoice template guide.

Payment terms and the due date

The generator sets payment terms to 30 days by default and prints the exact due date on the invoice. If your contract says nothing, 30 days is also the legal default: a commercial payment with no agreed date becomes late 30 days after the customer receives the invoice — or after the goods or service are delivered, if that’s later. Agreed business-to-business terms should usually be within 60 days, so the form caps terms at 60. Not sure when an invoice you already sent becomes due? Our payment deadline calculator works it out, and the late payment interest calculator shows what a late client owes once the date passes.

Want the chasing emails too?

The generator builds the invoice. If the client still doesn’t pay, our Invoice & Chasing Template Pack (£12) has the rest: nine copy-paste chasing emails (from deposit request to final demand before small claims), a pre-send invoice checklist, and an overdue-invoice tracker spreadsheet. Same templates, ready to send.

Keep a copy

Keep a copy of every invoice you send. VAT records must be kept for at least 6 years. The generator stores nothing, so saving the PDF (or printing a copy for your files) is on you.

This page explains publicly available information from GOV.UK and HMRC guidance. It is not legal or financial advice. If the amount is large or the situation is disputed, get proper professional advice.