Net 15, net 30, and net 60 are the most common payment terms on invoices, and the one you choose quietly decides how long you wait for your money. They look like small print, but the difference between net 15 and net 60 is six weeks of cash flow, which for a freelancer is the difference between steady and stretched. Here is what each term means, how they compare, and which you should use to get paid faster.
What net 15, net 30, and net 60 mean
"Net" followed by a number is the count of days a client has to pay after the invoice date. So net 15 means payment is due within 15 days of the invoice date, net 30 within 30 days, and net 60 within 60 days. The clock starts when you issue the invoice, unless you specify otherwise.
There are a couple of variations. Some businesses count from the end of the month (written "net 30 EOM"), so an invoice dated mid-month is due 30 days after month's end. And terms are sometimes paired with an early-payment discount, such as "2/10 net 30," meaning the client can take 2 percent off if they pay within 10 days, otherwise the full amount is due in 30. Whatever the term, stating the exact due date on the invoice is clearer than making the client count, which the invoice payment terms guide covers.
Net 15 vs net 30 vs net 60: which to use
Each term has a place, and the right one depends on the client and the work.
Net 15 is best for your cash flow and a good default for freelancers, small projects, and new clients. It gets you paid in two weeks, and most individuals and small businesses can pay on that timeline without issue. Shorter terms like net 7 or due on receipt suit very small or one-off jobs.
Net 30 is the common business default, and many larger clients expect it because their accounts payable runs on monthly cycles. It is a reasonable middle ground, though it means waiting a month, so it suits established clients and mid-sized projects more than it suits your cash flow.
Net 60 is long, and you should treat it as the exception, not the norm. Some large corporations insist on it, and for a big, reliable client it can be worth accepting to win the work, but it puts real strain on a freelancer's cash flow. If a client requires net 60, a deposit up front and progress billing make it far more survivable.
The pattern is simple: shorter terms favor you, longer terms favor the client. Default to the shortest term a client will accept, and lengthen it only when the relationship or the size of the work justifies the wait.
How net terms affect your cash flow
The term you pick is not just when one invoice arrives; it sets the gap between doing work and being paid across your whole business. On net 60, you can be two months of work deep before the first payment lands, which means you are effectively financing your clients.
Two things soften long terms. A deposit up front means you are never fully exposed to the wait, and progress or milestone billing brings money in throughout a project rather than all at the end. Combined, they let you accept a client's longer terms without carrying the whole cost yourself, which the freelance payment terms guide covers in full.
How to get paid faster whatever your terms
The term sets the deadline, but plenty of invoices are paid late regardless, and that is where the real cash-flow damage happens. Whatever net term you use, the invoices that get paid on time are the ones that are followed up promptly.
FileCurrent tracks each invoice's due date and sends reminders automatically the moment payment is late, so a net 30 invoice that would have drifted to net 45 gets chased on day 31 instead. It also lets you set an exact due date and your standard terms on every invoice, so clients see a firm deadline rather than a term to interpret. For more on shortening the wait, the how to get paid faster guide covers the levers, and the net 30 billing guide goes deeper on the most common term.
Frequently asked questions
What do net 15, net 30, and net 60 mean?
They are payment terms stating how many days a client has to pay after the invoice date: net 15 is due within 15 days, net 30 within 30, and net 60 within 60. The clock starts when you issue the invoice. Shorter terms get you paid sooner, so net 15 favors your cash flow while net 60 favors the client.
Is net 15 or net 30 better for freelancers?
Net 15 is generally better for freelancers because it gets you paid in two weeks and most clients can meet it. Net 30 is the common business default and is fine for established clients, but it means waiting a month. Default to the shortest term a client will accept, and use net 30 or longer only when the relationship or project size warrants it.
Should I offer net 60 terms?
Treat net 60 as the exception. Some large corporate clients require it, and accepting it can be worth winning a big, reliable account, but it strains a freelancer's cash flow badly. If you must offer net 60, protect yourself with a deposit up front and progress billing so you are not financing two months of work before any payment arrives.
What does "2/10 net 30" mean?
It is net 30 terms with an early-payment discount: the client may deduct 2 percent if they pay within 10 days, otherwise the full amount is due within 30. It is a way to encourage faster payment by rewarding it. Whether it is worth offering depends on how much the earlier cash is worth to you versus the 2 percent you give up.
How do I choose payment terms for an invoice?
Start from the shortest term the client will reasonably accept, net 15 or even due on receipt for small and new clients, and lengthen only for established clients or larger projects that expect net 30. Reserve net 60 for big clients who require it, and pair any long term with a deposit and progress billing to protect your cash flow.
The net term you choose sets the wait, but prompt follow-up is what actually gets you paid on time. FileCurrent sets a firm due date on every invoice and chases anything late automatically, so your terms are honored instead of quietly stretched. $15/month or $129/year. 7-day free trial, no card required.