Free Invoice Template

Invoices are sent from a seller to a buyer to request payment for itemized goods and services. Browse our free invoice templates before creating your own to get a better sense of what an invoice looks like.

Table of Contents

• Sample Invoice Templates
• Additional Invoice Templates by Industry
  • Commercial Invoice Template
  • Contractor Invoice Template
  • Service Invoice Template
  • Construction Invoice Template
  • Freelance Invoice Template
  • Other Invoice Templates
• What Is an Invoice?
  • What Is an Invoice Used For?
• How Do Invoices Work?
• Who Needs an Invoice?
• What’s the Difference Between a Purchase Order and an Invoice?
• How to Fill Out an Invoice?
• Invoice FAQs

Sample Invoice Templates

Our invoice template library below features four leading invoice formats — Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Docs, and PDF file formats.

Browse these free printable invoice templates—download, edit them, and start getting paid for your hard work.

Microsoft Word Invoice Templates

Google Docs Invoice Templates

Excel Invoice Templates

PDF Invoice Templates

Additional Invoice Templates by Industry

The following free invoice templates were designed by our resident small business experts and have been field-tested by contractors, freelancers, and small business owners alike.

Simply choose your industry from the list below, select your preferred file format, and download a blank invoice template you can customize. Or, just scroll down and find professional invoices in Word or Excel format that suits your unique business.

• Commercial
• Contractor
• Service
• Construction
• Freelance
• Other invoice templates

Commercial Invoice Template

This commercial invoice template has a well-defined, structured layout that’s perfect for contractors and small business owners with strong organizational skills and a desire to maintain a professional demeanor. In addition to outlined fields for each billable item, it also has a place for item numbers. Ideal for those who have an extensive catalog of products and services.

Contractor Invoice Template

For contractors, use our free printable invoice template that is designed specifically for contractors on the go. As you can see in the sample, this invoice is a clean, to-the-point, no-frills option for contractors who need a basic yet professional invoice.

Service Invoice Template

Created to suit small businesses and those working in the service industries, our service invoice template is sleek, modern, and streamlined to get payment information across as quickly as possible.

Construction Invoice Template

Straight-forward and rugged, our construction professional invoice template is suited for anyone in the construction field — be it in a freelance, independent, or corporate capacity. With its clearly defined fields and minimalist structure, this design is all about simplicity. Send a solid message to your clients with this construction invoice template.

Freelance Invoice Template

As a freelancer, it’s important to set yourself apart from your competition. Our basic invoice template for freelancers is just another way to separate yourself from the rest of the field with its unique, straightforward design.

Other Invoice Templates

Below you can find more invoice templates and help with how to write one:

Catering

Cleaning

Landscaping

Photography

Plumbing

What Is an Invoice?

An invoice is a request for payment for itemized goods and services that is sent from a seller to a buyer. Invoices are used by a person or company (offering goods or services) to tell a buyer that payment is now due.

A basic invoice should include the following details:

• Seller: person or company offering goods or services
• Buyer: person or company purchasing the goods or services
• Description: detail of each item sold or service provided
• Due Date: when payment is expected, either in 30 days or by a certain date
• Payment: whether the buyer should pay by check, money order, or other means
• Purchase Order Number: a unique identifier used to keep track of orders

As a reference, this type of document may be referred to as a:

• Bill
• Tab
• Bill of Sale
• Itemized Bill
• Purchase Invoice

What Is an Invoice Used For?

As a commercial document, an invoice is needed whenever a business transaction involves paying for goods or services. Invoices are used to track inventory, accounts receivables, and expenses. The seller can send one to the buyer once a transaction is completed or within 14 days of the transaction.

An invoice can be sent to the buyer immediately or within 14 days of the business transaction.

How Do Invoices Work?

Invoices work by providing those in a business relationship with a formal account of all goods and services rendered as well as a statement of the total sum owed. Once sent to the buyer, an invoice acts as an official record of the transaction.

Without a written invoice, the seller has no written proof that a business transaction occurred. After the seller provides goods or services, the buyer could simply not pay if an invoice isn’t sent. Practically speaking, invoices also serve as a professional reminder that payment is still due. Legally, they’re enforceable in court if the buyer continues to not pay or the seller provides bad goods or services.

Once payment has been received and/or processed, the seller can issue the buyer a receipt.

A properly sent invoice will address the following basic questions:

• Who are the seller and buyer
• What item or service is being purchased, including a description
• Where the items should be delivered or service performed
• When the payment is due (i.e. 30 days from the invoice date or before a certain day)
• How the payment should be made (i.e. check or money order)

Who Needs an Invoice?

If you want to get paid for goods or services provided, you should send an invoice. Freelancers, businesses, and service providers of all shapes and sizes use invoice templates or specialized apps to collect payments from clients.

Here are just a few of the professionals who may need one:

What’s the Difference Between a Purchase Order and an Invoice?

An invoice is a payment request sent to a client from a vendor after the order has been fulfilled. It details the goods or services involved and the amount of money that is owed. A purchase order (PO) records a business transaction between two parties, typically large orders between a buyer and a seller.

Purchase order vs invoice – key differences:

How to Fill Out an Invoice?

Filling out an invoice is a fairly straightforward process, made even easier by using a template or our step-by-step builder which includes all the important details:

Step 1 – Company Name and Contract Details

Start off by including your business name so your clients can easily identify you. Follow up with the contact details of your business, including address, phone number, and email address.

Step 2 – Client Contact Details

Next, you’ll want to include the client’s contact details. Ensure you’re billing the correct client, whether an individual or another business. Include the client’s name, address, phone number, and email address.

Step 3 – Invoice Number

Use a unique invoice number so you can easily refer back to it when you’re doing recordkeeping for your business or if you need to refer back to a specific invoice. If it’s your first invoice you can simply label it as invoice 1 and then increase the invoice number as you create more.

Step 4 – List the Goods or Services

Provide an itemized list of the goods or services provided. If you’re selling goods you need to list each specific item with the amount and the price. If it’s a service, you should document the number of hours worked and the hourly rate charged (alter as necessary if charging a day or project rate). Don’t forget to include the total cost.

Step 5 – Billing Information

Include details regarding your accepted payment options, such as cash, credit, or debit card, and payment terms. You could include a payment link if you have one available – if not, don’t forget to include your account or bank information.  If required, you can include an invoice due date at the top or bottom of the page to try and get paid faster.

Invoice FAQs