Invoice template
Freelance writer invoice template
Bill an article by the word, a blog post by the piece, and editing by the hour, all on one invoice. The sample below is filled in so you can check the math, then change it to your own work and download a PDF.
Short answer: a freelance writer invoice usually lists each piece or word count, any hourly editing, and extras like revision rounds. In this template that is an article $300.00, two blog posts $500.00, editing $180.00, and one extra revision $75.00, for a $1,055.00 total. Open it in the generator and change the lines to your own.
Worked example: sample invoice WR-0012
This is a sample with made-up rates, there to show the math. It is not a guide to what to charge. Issued Thu Oct 1, 2026, Net 14, so it is due Thu Oct 15, 2026.
- Article, “How to read a utility bill”: 1,500 words at $0.20 a word = $300.00
- Two blog posts, flat fee: 2 × $250.00 = $500.00
- Editing a client draft: 3 hours at $60.00 = $180.00
- Extra revision round (round 3): 1 × $75.00 = $75.00
Subtotal $300.00 + $500.00 + $180.00 + $75.00 = $1,055.00. No tax, so the total due is $1,055.00.
Per word, per piece, or by the hour
- Per word: put the word count in Qty and the rate per word in Rate, so an editor can check it at a glance. Say whether it is the assigned word count from the brief or the final count of what you delivered, for example “1,500 words (final count)”.
- Per piece: one line per piece, or one line with the number of pieces in Qty. Name each piece so the client can match it to what ran.
- By the hour: name the task and the dates, and round the way you said you would. Hourly vs fixed fee invoices covers mixing the two on one invoice.
Pick the “word” unit on that line and the Qty column shows the count with its unit, for example 1500 word. The sample also gives the count in the description, so the line reads on its own. Writing line item descriptions has more on clear lines.
Lines writers often leave off
These are things to agree with the client in writing before you start, so the invoice only repeats what you both already said. This is not legal advice, and what applies depends on your agreement.
- Revision rounds. If your fee includes a set number of rounds, say how many in the notes, and bill any extra round on its own line, like the round 3 line above.
- Kill fee. Some agreements include a kill fee, a part payment if a piece is cancelled after you started it. It only applies if you agreed one. If you did, invoice it as one line naming the piece and the agreed fee.
- Rights. If your agreement says the client’s rights to use the piece start once you are paid, you can note that on the invoice, for example “Rights as agreed pass on payment in full.” Only write what your agreement says.
- On acceptance or on publication. Payment on acceptance means the clock starts when the editor accepts the piece. Payment on publication means it starts when the piece runs, which can be much later. Agree which one up front, and put it in the notes.
Asking for part of the fee before you start? How to invoice a deposit shows the line and the note.
How to finish it
- Click “Start with the writer template”.
- Change your name, the client, the pieces, the counts and the rates.
- Delete any line you don’t need, and edit the notes.
- Download the PDF and send it with the piece or after it is accepted.
Billing design or other freelance work too? The freelance invoice template pairs a project fee with hours, and payment terms explained covers Net 14 and Net 30.
Free, private, no account
Tiny Utility Lab built FreeInvoicePDF so an invoice never has to leave your device. No signup. The PDF is assembled here with pdf-lib, and nothing is uploaded.