Freelance Writer Invoice Template
A free invoice template for freelance writers, copywriters and editors. Bill per word, per article or per hour, then download a PDF. No account, no watermark.
Sample freelance writer invoice template
| Description | Qty | Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blog post: "How to choose a CRM" (1,500 words, 2 rounds of edits) | 1 | $450.00 | $450.00 |
| Blog post: "CRM migration checklist" (1,200 words, per word) | 1200 | $0.30 | $360.00 |
| Copy edit: product pages (per page) | 4 | $75.00 | $300.00 |
| Rush fee: delivery within 48 hours | 1 | $100.00 | $100.00 |
Work delivered on 27 February 2026. PO number: BL-4471. Rights: full rights to the articles transfer on payment. Payment terms: Net 14. Pay by bank transfer to [account details].
What to include on a freelance writer invoice
- Your name or business name and your email
- The client's name, company and the person who pays invoices
- A unique invoice number, the invoice date and the due date
- Each piece of work: the title, the word count or scope, and the rate
- Rounds of edits included, and any extra rounds billed
- Extra fees you agreed, such as a rush fee or a kill fee
- The usage rights and when they transfer, if your contract covers them
- The client's PO number, if they gave you one
- The total due, the payment terms and how to pay you
In the free invoice builder, put the details that have no field of their own, such as the PO number and the rights, in the Notes field, as in the sample.
How to fill in this template
Open the template
Click "Use this template". The invoice builder opens with the sample lines filled in. No account needed.
Add your details
Enter your business name, your client, the invoice number and the dates. Pick one of 5 styles and a currency.
Replace the sample lines
Change each line to your own work, with a quantity and a unit price. Add a tax percentage if you charge tax.
Download the PDF
Check the preview and download the PDF. Attach it to an email to your client.
Per word, per piece or per hour: how to write each line
Write one line per piece of work, with a title the client will recognize. The quantity and the unit price then show how you priced it.
- Per word: quantity = the word count, price = your rate per word (for example 1,200 × $0.30).
- Per piece: quantity = 1, price = the fee for that article, post or page.
- Per hour: quantity = the hours, price = your hourly rate. Keep a time log in case the client asks.
Invoicing as an editor
The same template works for editing. Name each kind of edit on its own line, such as a developmental edit, a line edit, a copy edit or a proofread, because each has a different scope and rate.
Bill editing per word, per page or per hour, as agreed. Say what the price covers, for example "Copy edit, 45,000-word manuscript, one pass".
Rush fees, kill fees and rights
Put any extra fee on its own line, so the client sees it was agreed and not hidden in a rate. A rush fee covers a short deadline. A kill fee is the part of the fee you are paid if the client cancels a piece you have started, as set out in your contract.
If your contract says the rights to the work pass to the client when they pay, say so in the notes. It reminds the client of the terms and protects your work if the invoice is never paid.
Frequently asked questions
What should a freelance writer invoice include?
Your details, the client and their billing contact, an invoice number and dates, each piece of work with its title, scope and rate, any extra fees, the usage rights if your contract covers them, the total, the payment terms and how to pay.
How do I invoice per word?
Make a line for the piece with the word count as the quantity and your rate per word as the price. For example, 1,200 words at $0.30 per word is a line total of $360.
When should a freelance writer send an invoice?
Send it when you deliver the work, unless your contract says otherwise. Do not wait for the article to be published. For regular work, such as a monthly retainer, invoice at the start or the end of each month as agreed.
How do I invoice for editing work?
Use one line for each kind of edit, such as a copy edit or a proofread, with the word count, page count or hours as the quantity and your rate as the price. Say how many passes the price covers.
Is this freelance writer invoice template free?
Yes. Fill it in and download the PDF for free. You do not need an account, and the PDF has no watermark.
Can Due On Time send the invoice and follow up for me?
Download the PDF and email it yourself for free. On the Starter plan, Due On Time emails the invoice for you, shows when the client opens it and sends automatic payment reminders.
After you send the invoice
Work out the due date with the net 30 calculator. If the client pays late, use the payment reminder email templates. Or let Due On Time email the invoice and send the reminders for you. Compare plans.