Freelance Writing Invoice Template
Per-word or per-piece, research time, revisions and rights. Free PDF, no account.
Writing is bought by the piece and paid for by the word, and the gap between those two is where a freelancer loses money quietly. Research, interviews and a second round of edits are all work; if the invoice shows only a word count, they are work the client will assume was included.
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INVOICE
Issued
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Issued by
Camille Duthie
14 Copperplate Lane 55401 Minneapolis, MN United States camille@duthiewrites.example |
Bill to
Meridian Quarterly
9 Press Court 60607 Chicago, IL United States editorial@meridianquarterly.example |
| Description | Qty | Rate | Tax | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Feature — "The last mile of the grid" 2,400 words delivered, per-word rate | 2400 | $0.85 | — | $2,040.00 |
Research and interviews Five interviews, transcription and source checks | 9 | $70.00 | — | $630.00 |
Revision round One round of editorial revisions, as commissioned | 1 | $180.00 | — | $180.00 |
Sidebar 420 words, commissioned after first draft | 420 | $0.85 | — | $357.00 |
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Edit this template Free, no account, no watermark — download the PDF when you are done.
What to put on a freelance writing invoice
- The piece or commission title, so the invoice matches the brief
- The rate basis — per word, per piece or per hour — stated explicitly
- Word count delivered, where the rate depends on it
- Research or interview time as its own line
- Revision rounds included, and any beyond them priced
- The rights granted: first publication, exclusivity, and for how long
Questions
Should I bill for research separately?
If the piece needed interviews or source work, yes. A per-word rate silently absorbing eight hours of research is what makes long-form work pay worse than short, and only the invoice can change that.
What rights should the invoice mention?
The ones you are actually granting — commonly first publication rights for a period, after which the piece reverts to you. Publications reuse work, and the invoice is the record both sides keep.
Guides for this job
- How to invoice as a freelancerWhat to bill for, how to word it, and how to stop being the supplier who gets paid last.
- How to ask a client for a depositChoosing an amount, wording the request, and invoicing it so the final balance still adds up.
- Invoice payment terms explainedNet 30, due on receipt, EOM and early-payment discounts — what each means and when to use it.
About the free invoice generator
Is this invoice generator really free?
Yes. There is no fee, no trial period and no watermark on the PDF. Nothing on this page requires a credit card.
Do I need to create an account?
No. Fill in the form and download the PDF directly — there is no sign-up and no login for this tool.
What file do I get?
A standard PDF, ready to attach to an email or print.
Can I add my own logo and bank details?
Yes. The seller section accepts a logo image and bank transfer details, which are printed on the invoice so your client knows how to pay you.
Is my data stored anywhere?
Nothing leaves your browser except when you download a PDF or save the invoice to an account. A draft is kept locally in your browser so it's still here if you come back, but there is no account behind this page and nothing is ever sent to our servers until you choose to.
Can I use this for any currency or country?
Yes. Choose any currency and country for either party — the totals and formatting follow your selection.
Ready to bill for it?
The template opens in the free invoice generator with these lines already on it. Change what you like, download the PDF.
To send it from an account, with a pay-by-card button on it, your first three invoices are free. Pricing the job before you bill it? Start with the free estimate generator.
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