Net 15 Payment Terms: Meaning, Due Dates and When to Use Them

Net 15 means the client must pay the full invoice within 15 days of the invoice date. The 15 days are calendar days, so weekends and holidays count. For an invoice dated March 2, 2026, the due date is March 17, 2026.

Net 15 is half the time of the more common net 30. It suits freelancers and small businesses that bill individuals, small companies or short jobs. This guide shows how to work out the due date, when net 15 is the right choice, and the exact words to put on your invoice. For every common term in one place, see the invoice payment terms guide.

What does net 15 mean?

Net 15 means payment of the full invoice amount is due 15 calendar days after the invoice date. "Net" is the total on the invoice after any discount already shown on it; "15" is the number of days the client has to pay.

The client can pay at any time before the due date. On day 16, the invoice is overdue.

How do you calculate a net 15 due date?

Add 15 calendar days to the invoice date: day 1 is the day after the invoice date, and day 15 is the due date.

1. Start from the date printed on the invoice, not the date the work was done.
2. Count 15 days, including Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
3. Write that date on the invoice next to "Net 15", so the client does not have to count.

Because 15 days is two weeks plus one day, a net 15 due date always falls on the next day of the week: an invoice dated on a Monday is due on a Tuesday. To check any date, use the free invoice due date calculator: set the days to 15.

Net 15 vs net 30: which should you use?

Use net 15 when you can, and net 30 when a larger client asks for it. Both are normal, and neither is rude.

For more on the longer term, see what net 30 means on an invoice. Terms longer than 30 days are covered in net 60 payment terms.

When do net 15 terms work best?

Net 15 works best when the client can approve and pay an invoice without a long process.

• Individuals and small businesses: the person who hired you is usually the person who pays.
• Short projects: a two-week wait matches a short job.
• Regular work: on a monthly retainer, net 15 means one invoice is paid before the next one goes out.
• New clients: a short first term limits how much you risk before you know how the client pays.

It works less well with large companies that pay suppliers on a fixed monthly payment run. Ask about their process before you send the first invoice, and agree the terms in writing.

How do you ask a client for net 15 instead of net 30?

Ask before the work starts, put the terms in your quote or contract, and keep the request short. For example:

Hi Jordan, before we start: my standard payment terms are net 15, so each invoice is due 15 days after the invoice date. I invoice at the end of each month and you can pay by bank transfer or card. Does that work with your accounts team? If you need net 30, let me know and we can agree it now.

If the client says they can only do net 30, you can accept it, ask for a deposit before you start, or offer a small discount for early payment such as 2/10 net 30.

How do you write net 15 on an invoice?

Write the term and the real due date together, near the total. For example:

Payment terms: Net 15. Due date: March 17, 2026.

Put the same terms in your quote or contract, so the invoice only repeats what the client already agreed. If your terms count business days, say so in words, for example "Due within 15 business days of the invoice date", because "net 15" on its own means calendar days.

You can add the terms and the due date in the free invoice generator and download the PDF without an account.

What happens when a net 15 invoice is late?

The invoice is overdue from day 16. Send a short, polite reminder the next day with the invoice number, the amount and how to pay; the payment reminder templates have wording for each stage. On the Starter and Pro plans, Due On Time sends these reminders by email after the due date for you, and stops when the invoice is paid.