Freelance writing gets billed a few different ways, per word, per piece, per project, or by the hour, and your invoice should make the basis obvious so a client never wonders how the total was reached. A clear writing invoice itemizes the pieces, notes the word count or rate, and gets you paid without a back-and-forth over the math. Here is what to put on a freelance writing invoice, a sample you can copy, and the payment terms that get writers paid faster.
What to include on a freelance writing invoice
A freelance writing invoice needs the standard fields plus a few that fit how writing is billed.
Your details and the client's:: names, business names, and contact info.
A unique invoice number:: for both your records.
Invoice date and due date:: an exact due date, not just "net 30."
Itemized pieces:: each article, post, or deliverable on its own line.
Rate basis:: per word, per piece, per project, or hourly, made clear, with word counts where relevant.
Revisions:: included rounds noted, and any extra rounds billed separately.
Kill fee, if any:: any fee owed for a commissioned piece the client decided not to use.
Subtotal, tax, and total:: the amounts and the balance due, with any deposit credited.
Payment terms and methods:: how and when to pay, plus any late fee.
The rate basis and word count are what keep a writing invoice clear, since "writing, $600" invites questions that "3 articles, 1,200 words each, at $0.15/word" does not.
Sample freelance writing invoice line items
Here is what realistic writing line items look like, for a batch of articles billed per word.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blog articles (1,500 words each, 3 articles) | 4,500 words | $0.20 | $900 |
| SEO landing page copy | 1 | $500 | $500 |
| Additional revision round (beyond 2 included) | 1 | $75 | $75 |
Subtotal: $1,475 · Total due: $1,475
Showing the word count and the per-word rate, plus flagging the extra revision as its own line, makes the total self-explanatory and keeps a writing invoice from being disputed.
Build your writing invoice for free
You do not need to build this from a blank page. Our free invoice generator lays out every field above, does the math, and downloads a professional PDF in minutes, with no signup. Enter your pieces and rates and send.
The free tool is ideal for a one-off invoice. What it does not do is remember your clients or track which invoices are paid and overdue. As you take on more clients, FileCurrent saves your details so invoices auto-fill, and it tells you who has paid and who has not.
Payment terms for freelance writers
Writing work gets paid faster with terms suited to how assignments flow.
Keep terms short, net 15 is reasonable for most writing, with net 30 for publications and larger clients whose process requires it. For bigger projects, take a deposit up front, since it commits the client and covers your early drafting. Cap revisions in your agreement and bill extra rounds, and include a kill fee so a commissioned piece that is not used still pays. State an exact due date and a late fee. The freelance writing contract template covers the agreement your invoice bills against, and the freelance copywriter rates guide covers setting your rates.
Frequently asked questions
What should a freelance writing invoice include?
Your details and the client's, a unique invoice number, the invoice and due dates, itemized pieces with the rate basis and word counts, included revisions noted, any kill fee, the subtotal and total with any deposit credited, and your payment terms. The rate basis and word count keep the invoice clear and prevent disputes over the total.
How do freelance writers charge and invoice?
By the word, per piece, per project, or hourly. Per-word and per-piece are common for articles and blog content. Whatever the basis, the invoice itemizes each piece with its rate and any word count, so the client can see how the total was reached, and flags any extra revisions as separate lines.
Should a writing invoice include a kill fee?
If a commissioned piece was cancelled after you started, yes. A kill fee compensates you for the work done on a piece the client decided not to use, and it should be agreed in your contract beforehand. On the invoice, list it as its own line so the client sees what it covers.
What payment terms should a freelance writer use?
Net 15 is reasonable for most writing, with net 30 for publications and larger clients that require it. Take a deposit for bigger projects, cap revisions and bill extra rounds, state an exact due date, and include a late fee. Shorter terms and clear itemization get you paid faster.
How do I make a freelance writing invoice?
List your details and the client's, add an invoice number, the dates, and each piece with its rate basis and word count, then note any extra revisions or kill fee and show the total and payment terms. A free invoice generator handles the layout and math, and a dedicated tool saves your clients and tracks payment.
A clear writing invoice makes the math self-explanatory and gets you paid. FileCurrent saves your clients, builds and sends professional invoices, and chases late payments automatically, so you spend your time writing instead of chasing. $15/month or $129/year. 7-day free trial, no card required.