Invoice Generator
Create professional invoices in seconds. Add line items, tax, and download as PDF. Free and private.
Fill in your details, add line items, and download a professional PDF invoice. No signup needed.
What Makes a Valid UK Invoice?
A valid invoice includes your business name and address, the client's details, a unique invoice number, the date issued, a clear description of goods or services, individual prices, any applicable tax, and the total amount due. Payment terms and a due date help ensure you get paid on time.
If you're VAT registered, you must also include your VAT registration number, the VAT rate applied, and the VAT amount. For invoices to EU customers, you may need their VAT number too. HMRC requires businesses to keep invoices for at least 6 years.
This generator creates clean, professional PDFs with all required fields. Everything runs in your browser — your business details and client information are never sent to any server.
Invoice vs Quote vs Receipt vs Credit Note
| Document | When Issued | Purpose | Legally Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quote | Before work starts | Fixed price commitment for a defined scope | No (but builds trust) |
| Invoice | After work is delivered | Formal payment request with tax details | Yes (for VAT purposes) |
| Receipt | After payment received | Proof of payment for the buyer | If requested |
| Credit note | After a dispute or return | Partially or fully cancels an invoice | Yes (for VAT adjustments) |
Payment Terms Explained
Tip: Shorter payment terms mean faster cash flow. "Net 14" gets you paid twice as fast as "Net 30" with almost no pushback from clients.
Invoicing Best Practices
Number sequentially
Use a consistent system like INV-001, INV-002. HMRC and accountants expect sequential numbers. Gaps trigger audit questions.
Be specific in descriptions
"Website design — homepage and 3 inner pages" is better than "design work." Clear descriptions reduce disputes and help both sides track deliverables.
Include bank details on the invoice
Clients pay faster when they don't have to ask for payment details. Include sort code, account number, and your name as it appears on the account.
Send the same day you finish
The longer you wait, the longer it takes to get paid. Same-day invoicing is the gold standard. The work is fresh in the client's mind and they're more likely to pay promptly.
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How to use this tool
Enter your business details and client information
Add line items with descriptions, quantities, and rates
Download a professional PDF invoice instantly
Common uses
- Billing clients for freelance or consulting work
- Creating invoices for small business sales
- Generating receipts for one-off services
- Producing branded invoices without accounting software
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