How to invoice as a freelancer
A practical checklist before you send your next PDF invoice — plus a free generator on the homepage.
Open free invoice generator →How it works
Fill in your business and client details, line description, amount, and due date. The live preview updates as you type so you can catch mistakes before exporting.
Click download to generate a clean PDF invoice in your browser. No account, no waiting for email delivery, and no watermarks.
Who it is for
Freelancers, consultants, virtual assistants, designers, and developers who need a fast invoice without heavyweight accounting software.
Visitors from Nigeria, Kenya, the Philippines, India, Mexico, and elsewhere see localized copy and a sensible currency default when we can detect your country — you can always override it in the form.
Why freelancers need a proper invoice
Clients use invoices to approve payment in accounts payable. A missing invoice number, wrong currency, or vague description is one of the most common reasons payments stall.
A PDF invoice you generate in under a minute beats a screenshot of a spreadsheet — it signals professionalism and gives finance teams what they need.
Step-by-step
1. Agree rate, currency, and payment terms with your client in writing (email or contract).
2. Open the invoice generator, enter both parties’ details, and describe the work delivered.
3. Set issue date and due date (Net 30 is common for international clients).
4. Download the PDF and send it with a short email referencing the invoice number.
5. Follow up before the due date if payment has not arrived.
Regional defaults
The homepage may personalize the headline and currency for visitors in Nigeria, the Philippines, Kenya, India, or Mexico. Everyone else gets a global default with currency matched to their country when possible.
Frequently asked questions
- What should a freelancer invoice include?
- At minimum: your name or business, client name, unique invoice number, issue date, due date, payment terms, clear description of work, amount and currency, and how to pay. Add tax IDs or notes only if your client or accountant requires them.
- How does regional personalization work?
- We may look up your country from your IP address once per browser session to show relevant copy and pre-select a currency. Invoice data is never sent to that service. See our Privacy page.
- How do I follow up if the client has not paid?
- Email a polite reminder referencing the invoice number and due date. If terms were Net 30, follow up a few days after the due date with the PDF attached again.
- Is the invoice generator free?
- Yes. Use the button at the top of this page to open MakeInvoice — no signup, PDF download in your browser.
- Where is my invoice data stored?
- Draft fields stay in your browser until you download a PDF. See our Privacy page for details.