Net 30 is a loan you never agreed to. Payment terms, explained
Souptik Debnath · 6 October 2026 · 4 min read
Short answerPayment terms say when an invoice must be paid. 'Due on receipt' means now; 'Net 14' or 'Net 30' means within 14 or 30 days of the invoice date. Shorter terms get paid sooner. Write the actual due date on the invoice as well as the term.
The common terms
- Due on receipt: payable when the client receives it. Good for small jobs and new clients.
- Net 7, Net 14: payable within 7 or 14 days. A sensible default for freelancers.
- Net 30: within 30 days. Common with larger companies, whose accounts teams pay in monthly runs.
- 50% upfront: half before work starts, the rest on delivery. Protects you on larger projects.
Which to choose
Pick the shortest term your client will accept. Agree it before the work starts, put it in your quote, and repeat it on the invoice. Larger companies may insist on their own terms; ask early so it isn't a surprise.
Write the date, not just the term
'Net 14' asks the client to do arithmetic. 'Due 19 October 2026' doesn't. Put the date where it is seen, near the amount. Quire works out the due date from your default terms and prints it at the top.
Late payments
Some countries give businesses a legal right to interest or fees on late payment. If you intend to use it, say so on the invoice. A friendly reminder a day after the due date resolves most late payments without it.
Questions
- What does Net 30 mean?
- Payment is due within 30 days of the invoice date.
- Is Net 30 from the invoice date or the delivery date?
- Usually the invoice date. If you mean something else, write the exact due date on the invoice.
- What payment terms should a freelancer use?
- 14 days is a common default. Due on receipt or a deposit suits new clients and small jobs.
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