Your business name
INVOICE
- Invoice no.
- INV-001
- Date
- —
- Due
- —
Bill to
Client name
| Description | Qty | Unit price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Add an item to see it here. | |||
- Subtotal
- £0.00
- Total due
- £0.00
Free Invoice Generator for UK Freelancers
Fill in your details, add your items and download a professional PDF invoice. Your data stays in your browser: nothing is uploaded.
In the print window, choose Save as PDF as the destination.
Estimates only, not tax advice. Read the disclaimer. Figures last checked against gov.uk on .
How it works
An invoice is how you ask a client to pay you, and it is also a record HMRC can ask to see. This generator builds a clean, professional invoice that includes everything gov.uk says an invoice must show, then lets you save it as a PDF to email or print.
1. Add your details and your client's
Enter your name or business name, address and contact details. Sole traders must show their own name, plus any trading name. Then add your client's name and address. You can upload your logo too. It is resized in your browser and never leaves your device.
2. Set the invoice number and dates
Every invoice needs a unique number. Many freelancers use a simple sequence such as INV-001, INV-002 and so on. The invoice date defaults to today and the due date to 30 days later, but you can change both. If you delivered the work on a different day, add the date of supply.
3. Add your items
Add a line for each product or service, with a clear description, the quantity (for example hours or days) and the unit price. The amount for each line and the total update as you type.
4. Add VAT if you are registered
If you are VAT registered, switch on VAT and enter your VAT number. The standard rate of 20% is filled in, but you can change it. The invoice then shows the VAT rate, the subtotal excluding VAT, the VAT amount and the total, and is titled "VAT invoice". If you are not registered for VAT, leave it off: you must not charge VAT. Not sure of the numbers? Use our VAT calculator.
5. Download your PDF
Add your bank details and any notes, check the live preview, then click Download PDF and choose Save as PDF in the print window. Your draft is saved in your browser as you go, so you can close the page and pick up where you left off. Click New invoice to start again.
Worked example
Sam is a freelance web designer who is not VAT registered. Sam invoices a client for:
- Website design: 1 x £1,200.00 = £1,200.00
- Copywriting: 6 hours x £45.00 = £270.00
The invoice total is £1,470.00, with no VAT.
If Sam were VAT registered, the subtotal would still be £1,470.00. VAT at 20% adds £294.00, so the client would pay £1,764.00. The invoice would also need Sam's VAT registration number.
Frequently asked questions
What must a UK invoice include?
A unique invoice number, your business name, address and contact details, your customer’s name and address, a clear description of what you are charging for, the date of supply, the date of the invoice, the amount charged, any VAT, and the total due. Sole traders must also show their own name and any trading name they use.
Do sole traders need an invoice number?
Yes. Every invoice must have a unique identifier, and a simple sequence such as INV-001, INV-002 works well. Never reuse a number. If you are VAT registered, your VAT invoices must be numbered in sequence.
Do I need to add VAT to my invoices?
Only if you are registered for VAT. You must register once your taxable turnover goes over £90,000 in a 12-month period. If you are not registered, do not add VAT. Leave the VAT option switched off.
What is the difference between an invoice and a VAT invoice?
A VAT invoice must also show your VAT registration number, the VAT rate, the amount excluding VAT, the total VAT charged and the time of supply (tax point). Turn on VAT and enter your VAT number, and the generator adds these and titles the document "VAT invoice". A simplified VAT invoice is allowed for supplies of £250 or less if your customer agrees.
Is my invoice data stored anywhere?
Only in your own browser. Your draft, including any logo, is saved in your browser’s local storage so you can come back to it. It is never sent to our servers. Click "New invoice" to clear it, especially on a shared computer.
How do I save the invoice as a PDF?
Click "Download PDF". Your browser’s print window opens. Choose "Save as PDF" (or "Microsoft Print to PDF" on some Windows computers) as the destination, then save. The file name is suggested from the invoice number and client name.
Can I use the invoice generator for free?
Yes. It is free, there is no sign-up, and there is no watermark on your invoices. You can create as many invoices as you like.