About the Invoice Generator
This invoice generator builds a complete, correctly totalled invoice from a simple list of line items. Type one item per line as “Description | quantity | rate”, add your business and client names, the invoice number and date, then choose payment terms. It calculates each line, the subtotal, any discount, sales tax, shipping, deposits already paid and the balance due, and sets the due date from your terms.
It is made for freelancers, consultants, tradespeople and small businesses who need to bill quickly without signing up for accounting software. The finished invoice appears as plain text you can copy into an email, a document or your own template, and the line-item table and totals are shown on the page so you can print it.
Tax is charged on the discounted subtotal, and shipping is added untaxed. Whether delivery charges are taxable varies by US state and country — if yours taxes them, enter shipping as a line item instead. The invoice is calculated in your browser and is not saved on our servers; if you use the Share button, the fields you changed are placed in the link itself, so only share that link with people who may see the invoice. Pick $, €, £ or another symbol from the currency list — it changes the symbol only, not the amounts. Check local rules for required invoice details, such as a tax or VAT registration number.
With the default inputs, the invoice total is $5,141.88. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the invoice generator
- 1Choose a currency symbol, then enter your business name, the client and an invoice number.
- 2Pick the invoice date and payment terms.
- 3List each item on its own line as Description | Qty | Rate.
- 4Add any discount, tax rate, shipping and deposit received.
- 5Copy the finished invoice text or print the page and send it.
Formula and method
Each line amount is quantity × rate, and the subtotal is the sum of all lines. The discount percentage d is taken off the subtotal first; sales tax at rate t is then charged on the discounted amount and rounded to the cent. Shipping is added after tax, and any deposit already received is subtracted to give the balance due.
The due date is the invoice date plus the number of days in your payment terms — Net 30 means payment is due 30 calendar days after the invoice date.
- d
- Discount rate
- t
- Sales tax or VAT rate
Worked examples
Web project with sales tax
The three lines are $2,500 + $1,500 + 10 × $75 = $4,750. Tax at 8.25% adds $391.88 for a total of $5,141.88. With Net 30 terms from October 1, payment is due October 31, 2026.
10% discount and a $1,000 deposit, no tax
A 10% discount on $4,750 is $475, leaving $4,275. Subtracting the $1,000 deposit already paid leaves $3,275 due within 15 days, on October 16.
Product order with shipping
Three mugs ($149.97), two lamps ($240) and gift wrap ($15.50) make $405.47. Tax at 7% is $28.38 and $25 shipping brings the total to $458.85, due on receipt.
Euro consulting invoice with 20% VAT
Twelve hours at €95 make €1,140. VAT at 20% adds €228 for a total of €1,368, due 7 days after October 1, on October 8. Choosing € changes only the symbol shown; the arithmetic is the same.
Frequently asked questions
What should be on an invoice?+
Include your business name and contact details, the client’s name, a unique invoice number, the invoice date, a description, quantity and price for each item, subtotal, tax, total, payment terms and due date, and how to pay. Some countries also require a tax or VAT number.
What does Net 30 mean on an invoice?+
Net 30 means the full amount is due 30 calendar days after the invoice date. Net 15 and Net 60 work the same way; “due on receipt” means payment is expected immediately.
Is sales tax calculated before or after a discount?+
In most US states sales tax is charged on the price actually paid, so a seller’s discount is subtracted before tax is calculated. Manufacturer coupons can be treated differently, so check your state’s rules.
Should I charge sales tax on services?+
It depends on where you and your customer are. Many US states exempt most services but tax physical goods and some digital products; VAT countries generally tax both. Check with your state revenue department or a tax adviser.
How should I number my invoices?+
Use a unique, sequential number for every invoice, such as INV-1001, INV-1002. Sequential numbering makes bookkeeping and audits easier, and some tax authorities require it.
Is my invoice data stored anywhere?+
No. The invoice is calculated in your browser and is not saved on our servers. The Share button, however, copies a link that contains the fields you changed (such as client name and line items), so anyone with that link can see them. Copy the text or print the page to keep a record.