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Understanding Invoice Payment Terms: Net 30, Net 15 & Due on Receipt

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Net 30" shows up on invoices everywhere, but plenty of freelancers use it without fully knowing what it means — or whether it's even the right choice for their business. Payment terms shape your cash flow more than almost anything else on the invoice. Here's how to pick the right ones.

What "Net" Actually Means

"Net" simply means the full amount is due within a set number of days from the invoice date — no discount attached, no conditions. Net 30 means payment is due 30 days after the invoice was issued, not 30 days after the work was delivered or 30 days from when the client happens to open the email.

The Most Common Terms, Compared

Due on Receipt — payment expected immediately, as soon as the client receives the invoice. Best for small jobs, one-off clients, or anyone new to working with you.
Net 15 — payment due within 15 days. A common middle ground — fast enough to protect your cash flow, flexible enough for most clients' internal approval processes.
Net 30 — the most widely used business standard, especially with larger companies whose accounts payable departments run on monthly cycles. Expect this to be the default many corporate clients assume unless told otherwise.
Net 60 / Net 90 — longer terms, typically requested by larger enterprise clients or in industries with slower payment cycles. Only agree to these if your own cash flow can absorb the wait.

How to Choose the Right Term

  • New clients: Start shorter — Due on Receipt or Net 15 — until you've established trust and a payment track record
  • Established clients: Net 30 is usually reasonable and expected
  • Large corporate clients: They may require Net 30 or longer regardless of your preference — factor this into your pricing and cash flow planning upfront
  • Your own cash flow needs: If you rely on incoming payments to cover near-term expenses, shorter terms protect you — don't offer Net 60 just because it sounds professional

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State the Date, Not Just the Term

Writing "Net 30" is standard, but pairing it with the actual calendar due date removes any ambiguity — clients don't have to calculate anything, and there's no argument later about which date the countdown started from.


Best practice: Write both — "Net 30 (Due September 22, 2026)" — so there's zero room for interpretation.

Should You Offer Early Payment Discounts?

Some freelancers offer a small discount for early payment — a common format is "2/10 Net 30," meaning a 2% discount if paid within 10 days, full amount due by day 30. This can genuinely speed up cash flow with larger clients, but for smaller invoices, it's often not worth the added complexity. Weigh it against your typical invoice size before adding it as a standard practice.

Set clear terms, but late payments still happen — see our guide on why clients pay late and how to fix it for what to do next.

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