Free Writer Invoice Template

Last updated: October 2026

Last updated: October 2026

Tip: click any field in the preview to edit it before downloading. Your edits stay in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, no signup, no watermark.

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What is this template for?

This free writer invoice template is built for freelance writers and copywriters: blog posts, articles, website copy, editing and content retainers. It bills the way writing is actually sold — per article, per word, per hour for editing, or a monthly retainer — and names the deliverable properly on every line: the title or topic, the word count, and how many revision rounds are included.

Per word, per article, revisions and rights: how writers bill

Writers use more billing units than almost any other trade, so the unit belongs on the invoice line itself. A blog post is usually a fixed fee per article with the word count stated (the preview shows a 1,500-word post at a fixed fee), while editing and proofreading are normally billed per hour. Two revision rounds is the common standard to include in the fee; rounds beyond that are billed separately at an agreed rate, as their own line, so scope creep is visible rather than argued about. Two lines generic templates always miss: a rights line — state what usage the fee includes (for example web publication) and that broader rights or a full copyright transfer are separate — and a kill fee: if a commissioned piece is cancelled after drafting, a pre-agreed partial fee (often 50 percent) applies. Add a rush fee line for overnight or short-deadline work, and pass through extras such as stock licences or research materials at cost on their own lines. For first-time clients on larger pieces, a deposit of 30 to 50 percent before drafting is normal; state your terms as a number of days (Net 14 or Net 30), not just “on receipt”.

Who should use it?

Freelance writers, copywriters, editors and content consultants billing UK clients. If you are VAT registered, use our VAT invoice template instead. For typical market rates by specialism, see freelance hourly rates by profession.

What is inside the template?

Your writing business details, client details, invoice number with issue and due dates, an itemised table that mixes per-article, per-hour, revision and pass-through lines, subtotal and total due, and a notes area covering rights, kill fee and deposit wording. Every field is editable: click it, type, then download.

What UK law requires on an invoice

Every invoice you send in the UK must show certain details to be valid. For a standard (non-VAT) invoice: a unique invoice number, the date, your business name and address, your customer’s name and address, a clear description of the work, the amount charged, and your payment terms. If you are VAT-registered, you must also show your VAT number, the VAT rate applied, and the VAT amount per line — see gov.uk guidance on invoices. This template includes fields for all of them, so an invoice built from it meets the legal requirements.

Frequently asked questions

New to invoicing? Read how to write an invoice for the full walkthrough, and how much deposit to ask for upfront before your next big commission.

Want to customise this further? Open it in the free invoice generator — add your logo, save clients and download a polished PDF.