Create professional invoices and download as PDF instantly. Free invoice maker with line items, tax calculation, and custom payment terms. No signup, no watermarks.
A professional invoice is a legally binding document and serves as formal written notice of payment owed between parties. Proper invoices include unique invoice numbers for your records, clearly itemized services or goods with quantities and rates, applicable taxes, and payment terms that establish the due date, governing payment obligations, and any late payment penalties. A well-drafted invoice — like any enforceable commercial agreement — includes complete contact information, a clear description of services rendered, and the total amount due. This free invoice generator creates PDF invoices that meet professional standards — the same format used by established businesses and independent contractors. All invoice data is processed entirely in your browser and is never transmitted to any server.
An invoice is a formal payment request that documents goods or services rendered and creates a legal obligation for payment. Modern invoice calculation follows a precise sequence: each line item multiplies a quantity by a unit rate to produce a line total. All line totals are summed to produce the subtotal. If a discount applies, it is deducted from the subtotal as a percentage reduction. The tax rate is then applied to the discounted subtotal — not the original subtotal — ensuring tax is only charged on the net amount. Finally, the tax amount is added back to produce the Total Due.
The formula is: Total = (Subtotal × (1 − Discount%)) × (1 + Tax%)
Invoice numbering is critical for your accounting records. Each invoice should carry a unique sequential identifier — such as INV-001, INV-002, or 2025-047 — that lets you track which invoices are paid, outstanding, or overdue. Payment terms like Net 30 mean the client must pay within 30 calendar days of the invoice date. Due on Receipt means immediate payment is expected. Setting clear terms on the invoice itself — rather than in a separate email — reduces misunderstandings and gives you written documentation of agreed payment expectations.
This generator handles all calculations automatically. As you add line items the subtotal updates in real time. Adjust the tax or discount rate and the total recalculates immediately. The invoice counter increments each time you generate a PDF, so sequential numbering is maintained without manual tracking.
Sarah Chen is a freelance web designer billing her client, Momentum Marketing LLC, for a completed website project. She has three line items:
| Description | Qty | Rate | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website design & development | 40 hrs | $80.00 | $3,200.00 |
| Content migration & setup | 8 hrs | $80.00 | $640.00 |
| Monthly maintenance retainer | 1 | $350.00 | $350.00 |
Sarah sets payment terms to Net 30, dates the invoice May 1st (due May 31st), and assigns invoice number INV-2025-047. The clearly itemized format lets Momentum Marketing verify each charge independently. The unique invoice number makes follow-up simple if the payment doesn't arrive by the due date — Sarah can reference INV-2025-047 specifically in any payment reminder email.
Use this free invoice generator — fill in your business information, client details, and line items. The tool automatically calculates subtotals, taxes, and discounts, then generates a professional PDF invoice you can download instantly. No signup required, no account creation, and no software to install. The entire process takes about two minutes and produces a PDF indistinguishable from invoices created with expensive accounting software.
Yes, completely free. Your PDF invoice downloads with no watermarks, no branding from us, and no hidden fees. The invoice looks exactly like a professional invoice you'd create with paid software, because all generation happens in your browser using JavaScript. We don't charge for downloads, don't limit the number of invoices you can create, and don't require a subscription. The tool is supported by advertising, not by charging users.
A professional invoice should include your business name and contact information, the client's name and contact details, a unique invoice number, invoice date and payment due date, itemized line items with clear descriptions, quantities, and unit rates, any applicable discounts, the tax rate and calculated tax amount, payment terms (e.g., Net 30), the total amount due, and your preferred payment method or instructions. Missing any of these elements can delay payment or create disputes. The invoice number is especially important — it lets you and your client uniquely identify the document for accounting and follow-up purposes.
Enter your tax rate percentage in the Tax Rate field. The invoice generator automatically calculates the tax amount based on your subtotal after any discount is applied, and adds it to your total. The tax line appears separately on the invoice so it's clearly itemized for your client. Note that sales tax applicability varies significantly by state and by the type of service or product — in many states, professional services are not subject to sales tax while physical goods are. Verify your specific tax obligations with your state revenue department or a tax professional before adding tax to client invoices.
Yes. Your invoice details are automatically saved to your browser's local storage as you type, so your business information, client details, and preferences are remembered when you return. You can also explicitly save named templates using the Saved Templates feature — save your standard billing rates, your business information, or a complete template for a recurring client and load it with one click. Your data never leaves your device — everything is stored locally on your computer and is never transmitted to any server.