Simple Contract Template
Small one-off jobs where a one-page agreement between two parties is enough.
- Parties, services and timeline
- Fixed fee with a 50% deposit
- Change and ownership terms
- Signature block for both parties
Microsoft Word · .docx
Contract Template in Word: Free Editable Formats
Six editable contracts with numbered clauses, a payment table and a signature block. They open in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Pages and LibreOffice.
4.8/5 on G2 · Trusted by 1,850+ agencies & freelancers in 40+ countries · Updated October 2026What is a contract template in Word?
A contract template in Word is an editable .docx contract with the standard clauses already written, so you fill in the parties, scope, fees and dates instead of drafting from a blank page.
Each template below uses Word heading styles for its numbered clauses, so the Navigation Pane lists every clause and you can jump straight to the one you need. Placeholders sit in [square brackets]. Delete the clauses that do not apply, then save a PDF for signing. These are general templates, not legal advice: for a high-value or unusual agreement, have a local lawyer review it.
- Opens in Word, Google Docs, Apple Pages and LibreOffice
- Numbered clauses in Word heading styles, ready to edit
- Payment table and a signature block for both parties
- Free for commercial use, no email required
- General templates, not legal advice
Download a Contract Template in Word
Every contract below is an editable .docx file, with a print-ready PDF copy. The contract template hub explains the format section by section.
Service Contract Template
Agencies and service businesses delivering a defined scope for a client.
- Scope, deliverables and acceptance
- Milestone payment schedule table
- Revisions and client responsibilities
- IP, confidentiality and liability cap
Freelance Contract Template
Freelancers who want a deposit, a revision limit and a kill fee in writing.
- Project scope and milestones
- Non-refundable deposit and kill fee
- IP transfer on final payment
- Portfolio rights clause
Consulting Agreement Template
Consultants billing by the hour or on a monthly retainer.
- Hourly or retainer fee table
- Expenses approved in advance
- Independent contractor status
- Confidentiality and non-solicitation
Agency Retainer Contract Template
Agencies selling ongoing monthly work such as content, ads or support.
- Monthly fee and included hours
- Extra hours and rollover rule
- Minimum term and notice period
- Monthly reporting clause
Project Contract with Milestones
Website, design and software projects paid in stages.
- Milestone, deliverable, due date and amount table
- Acceptance criteria per milestone
- Written change requests
- Ownership per paid milestone
Sample Contract: A Filled-In Example
Not sure what a finished contract looks like? This sample is the service contract filled in for a website redesign between two fictional companies, with three milestone payments that add up to USD 6,000.
Sample Service Contract (Filled Example)
A finished, realistic contract to copy the wording and layout from.
- Website redesign for USD 6,000
- Three milestones: 40%, 30%, 30%
- Revisions, client inputs and late fees
- Fictional companies, clearly marked as a sample
What Every Contract Should Include
Whichever template you start from, check that these clauses are filled in before you send it.
| Clause | What to write | Example wording |
|---|---|---|
| Parties | Full legal names, addresses and contact details of both sides | "Brightline Studio LLC (Service Provider) and GreenLeaf Organics Inc. (Client)" |
| Effective date | The date the agreement starts, which can differ from the signing date | "This agreement starts on 10/26/2026." |
| Scope | What you will do, and what is out of scope | "Redesign of 8 marketing pages. Copywriting is out of scope." |
| Deliverables | The concrete outputs the client receives | "Approved designs, the live website and one training session." |
| Timeline | Start date, milestones and the final delivery date | "Launch by 12/18/2026, if content arrives by 11/02/2026." |
| Fees | Total fee or rate, and whether tax is included | "USD 6,000, excluding sales tax." |
| Payment terms | When each payment is due and how to pay | "40% on signing, 30% on design approval, 30% at launch." |
| Late payment | Interest or a pause in work when invoices are overdue | "Late invoices may incur 1.5% interest per month." |
| Revisions | How many rounds are included and the rate for more | "2 rounds per deliverable, then USD 95 per hour." |
| Intellectual property | Who owns the work and when ownership passes | "Ownership passes to the Client on full payment." |
| Confidentiality | What stays private and for how long | "Both parties keep confidential information private for 2 years." |
| Termination | Notice period and payment for work already done | "Either party may end this with 14 days' written notice." |
| Liability | A cap on damages, usually the fees paid | "Total liability is limited to the fees paid under this agreement." |
| Governing law and signatures | Which laws apply, then names, titles, signatures and dates | "Governed by the laws of the State of Texas." |
How to Make a Contract in Word
1
Open the template and save a copy
Download the .docx and open it in Word. Use File > Save As to save a copy named after the client, for example Contract-GreenLeaf-2026.docx.
2
Fill in the parties and dates
Replace the placeholders in the header and party blocks. Press Ctrl+H (Cmd+H on Mac) and search for "[" to find every placeholder left to fill.
3
Paste in the scope
Copy the scope from your proposal or scope of work so the contract and the project plan say the same thing.
4
Set the fees and payment table
Fill in the payment rows. Need another milestone? Click in the last row and use Table Layout > Insert Below.
5
Remove clauses that do not apply
Open View > Navigation Pane to see every clause, delete the ones you do not need, and turn on Review > Track Changes before sending a draft for the client to edit.
6
Save as PDF and get it signed
Use File > Save As > PDF so the terms cannot change, then send it for signature. With Taskip e-signatures the client signs online and you see when they have signed.
Word Tips for Contracts You Reuse
- Save your edited contract as a Word template (File > Save As > Word Template .dotx), so every new contract starts from your version, not the blank download.
- Use Review > Restrict Editing to lock the clauses and leave only the placeholders editable when a colleague fills it in.
- Keep payments in a table, not a paragraph. Clients check the numbers faster and you avoid typos in the amounts.
- Attach the scope of work as a schedule instead of writing it into the legal text, so a scope change does not mean rewriting the contract.
- Working in Google Docs? Upload the .docx to Google Drive and choose Open with > Google Docs. Suggesting mode works like Track Changes.
- Need a different kind of contract? The free contract maker drafts one from a short description and exports it to Word.
Contract vs Agreement vs Proposal vs Scope of Work
Four documents that often travel together. Here is what each one does.
| Document | What it does | Binding? |
|---|---|---|
| Proposal | Pitches the work and the price before the client decides. Start from a proposal template. | Usually not, until accepted |
| Scope of work | Describes the deliverables, timeline and responsibilities in detail. Often attached to the contract. | Yes, when attached to a signed contract |
| Agreement | Any understanding between two parties. Many agreements are contracts, but not every agreement is enforceable. | Depends on the terms and the law that applies |
| Contract | A written agreement that sets out the obligations of both parties and what happens if they are not met. | Generally yes, once both parties sign |
Contract Format for India
The same templates work for Indian clients with a few additions. Add both parties' GSTINs to the party blocks if you are GST-registered, and say whether fees are inclusive or exclusive of GST. Most professional services are taxed at 18%. Write amounts in INR and set the governing law to Indian law with a named city for jurisdiction.
Stamp duty depends on the state and the type of agreement, so check the current rules for your state or use e-stamping. Electronic signatures are generally recognised under the Information Technology Act, 2000, although some document types are excluded. This is general information, not legal advice.
Related Templates & Free Tools
Contract Format & Templates
Every contract template in Word and PDF, plus a filled sample contract.
Free Contract Maker
Describe the job and get a full contract draft online. Download as Word.
Service Contract Format
Numbered format, a filled sample and clause-by-clause wording.
Freelance Contract Template
Protect your work, your rate and your payment terms.
Consulting Agreement Template
Hourly or retainer consulting with confidentiality terms.
NDA Template in Word
Six editable non-disclosure agreements, mutual and one-way.
Taskip E-Signatures
Send contracts for signature and see when the client signs.
Contract Template in Word FAQs
Does Microsoft Word have a contract template?
Word has a few contract designs under File > New if you search for "contract". The templates on this page are free .docx files with the full set of clauses, a payment table and a signature block, with no Microsoft account needed.
How do I make a contract in Word?
Open a contract template, replace the bracketed placeholders, fill in the scope and payment table, delete clauses that do not apply, then save it as a PDF and send it for signature.
Is a contract made in Word legally binding?
The file format does not decide that. A contract is generally binding when both parties agree to clear terms and sign it, whether it was typed in Word or anywhere else. Rules differ by country, so get legal advice for high-value agreements.
Can I e-sign a Word contract?
Yes. Save it as a PDF and send it through an e-signature tool such as Taskip e-signatures. In Word itself you can insert a signature image, but that does not record when or by whom it was signed.
Can I open these contract templates in Google Docs?
Yes. Upload the .docx to Google Drive, then right-click and choose Open with > Google Docs. The numbered clauses and tables keep their layout.
Are these contract templates free for business use?
Yes. Download and use them for your own clients with no signup, no watermark and no attribution required.
What is the difference between a contract and an agreement?
An agreement is any understanding between two parties. A contract is an agreement with the elements needed to be legally enforceable, such as an offer, acceptance and something of value exchanged. In everyday business the words are often used interchangeably.
Who makes these templates?
Taskip, client management software for agencies and freelancers. Taskip handles quotes, invoices, contracts, proposals, a client portal and projects in one place.