Examples
Invoice Examples
Four filled-in invoice examples for different kinds of work, with the numbers worked through. Each one shows the line structure the job calls for, so you can copy the shape rather than guessing at it.
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What does a completed invoice look like?
A completed invoice has a header identifying both parties, a numbered reference and dates, a table of priced line items, a totals block showing subtotal, discount, tax and grand total, and payment instructions with a due date.
The examples below differ only in the line items and the totals treatment. That is the point: the document structure is stable across trades, and what changes is how you describe and quantify the work.
Example 1 — Hourly freelance work
A developer bills two weeks of work for an agency client. Time is grouped by task rather than by day, which keeps the invoice short and still auditable. Terms are Net 14 and no tax applies because the freelancer is below the registration threshold in her country.
| Description | Hours | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Checkout refactor, including test coverage | 22 | 70.00 | 1,540.00 |
| Payment provider integration | 13.5 | 70.00 | 945.00 |
| Bug fixes from QA round 2 | 6 | 70.00 | 420.00 |
| Subtotal | 2,905.00 | ||
| Tax (not registered) | 0.00 | ||
| Total due — Net 14 | 2,905.00 |
Example 2 — Fixed-price project with a deposit
A studio invoices the balance of a website project after a 30% deposit was taken at kick-off. The deposit appears as a deduction so the client can see the full contract value and what remains.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website design and build, fixed fee | 1 | 9,000.00 | 9,000.00 |
| Copywriting, five pages | 1 | 1,250.00 | 1,250.00 |
| Subtotal | 10,250.00 | ||
| Deposit received 4 August 2026 | -3,075.00 | ||
| Tax (20% on 10,250.00) | 2,050.00 | ||
| Balance due | 9,225.00 |
Example 3 — Product sale with tax and shipping
A small retailer invoices a wholesale order. A 10% trade discount is applied before tax; delivery is charged separately after tax, kept as its own line so it can be reconciled against the courier invoice.
| Item | Qty | Unit price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramic planter, large | 40 | 18.00 | 720.00 |
| Ceramic planter, medium | 60 | 12.50 | 750.00 |
| Drainage tray | 100 | 3.20 | 320.00 |
| Subtotal | 1,790.00 | ||
| Trade discount (10%) | -179.00 | ||
| Tax (20% on 1,611.00) | 322.20 | ||
| Shipping, pallet delivery | 85.00 | ||
| Total due on receipt | 2,018.20 |
Example 4 — Contractor job, labour and materials
A contractor invoices stage two of a bathroom refit. Labour and materials are separated, the site reference is on the invoice, and the stage is named so the client can attribute it to the right project.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labour — second fix plumbing, 2 operatives | 5 days | 340.00 | 1,700.00 |
| Labour — tiling | 3 days | 290.00 | 870.00 |
| Materials — porcelain tile, 24 m² | 24 | 31.00 | 744.00 |
| Materials — adhesive, grout, sundries | 1 | 212.00 | 212.00 |
| Plant hire — tile saw, 3 days | 3 | 45.00 | 135.00 |
| Subtotal | 3,661.00 | ||
| Tax (20%) | 732.20 | ||
| Stage 2 total, site ref 14 Alder Road | 4,393.20 |
What the four examples have in common
- Every line is something the client can recognise and approve
- Discount is deducted before tax is applied, so the taxable base is the real amount charged
- Shipping sits after tax as its own line, never blended into the goods
- Amounts already paid appear as visible deductions, not silent adjustments
- Each invoice states a due date, not only a payment term
Frequently asked questions
Published 18 September 2026. Last updated 18 September 2026. Written by the Free Invoice Generator team. General invoicing information, not tax or legal advice.
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