For freelancers
Freelance payment terms explained (Net 14 vs Net 30)
"Net 14" and "Net 30" show up on almost every invoice, but new freelancers often aren't sure what they mean or which to choose. Here's the plain-English version.
What "Net" means
"Net" followed by a number is simply the number of days the client has to pay after the invoice date. Net 14 means payment is due within 14 days; Net 30 means within 30 days. It's the deadline, nothing more complicated than that.
Which should a freelancer use?
Net 14 is usually better for freelancers. It gets money in your account roughly two weeks sooner than Net 30, which matters a lot when you're managing your own cash flow. Most individual clients and small businesses are fine with Net 14. Large companies sometimes insist on Net 30 (or longer) because of their internal processes — in that case, factor the wait into your planning.
Ways to get paid even faster
- Ask for a deposit on larger projects — commonly 25–50% up front — so you're not financing the whole job yourself.
- Offer a small early-payment discount (like "2% off if paid within 7 days") if fast payment matters more to you than the small discount.
- State a late fee such as 2% per month on overdue balances. It signals that your deadlines are real.
- Send the invoice immediately after the work is done. Every day you delay sending is a day added to when you get paid.
Put your terms in writing
Agree terms before you start the work, and repeat them on every invoice so there's no confusion. Our free freelancer invoice generator is pre-set with sensible Net 14 terms and a late-fee note you can adjust in seconds.