Simple Invoice Template
A clean one-page invoice with just the essentials, for quick jobs and small businesses.
- Description, qty, price and amount
- Subtotal, tax and total due
- Due date
- Payment details
Word, Excel & PDF · Free
Invoice Format: What to Include, with a Free Sample
The standard invoice format part by part, a simple invoice format for small jobs, filled samples in USD and INR with GST, and free invoice formats in Word, Excel and PDF.
4.8/5 on G2 · Our invoice generator is used by 50,000+ people · Updated October 2026What is an invoice format?
An invoice format is the standard layout of an invoice: your business details, an invoice number and dates, the customer, itemized lines, subtotal, tax and total, payment terms and how to pay.
Following the same format on every invoice makes it easy for your client's accounts team to approve and pay it. A simple invoice format covers the minimum for small jobs; a tax invoice adds the details your tax authority requires, such as GSTIN and HSN/SAC codes in India.
- Same core parts in every country
- A unique, sequential invoice number on each one
- Tax shown separately when you are registered
- Free Word, Excel and PDF formats, no email required
- Send it as a PDF so the amounts cannot change
Invoice Format: The Standard Layout
Every professional invoice has these nine parts, top to bottom.
| # | Part | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Header and logo | Your business name, logo, address, email and tax number |
| 2 | Invoice number | A unique number in sequence, such as INV-2026-0117 |
| 3 | Dates | Invoice date and due date, plus the supply date if different |
| 4 | Bill to | The customer's name, company, address and tax number if they have one |
| 5 | Line items | Description, quantity, rate and amount for each item or service |
| 6 | Subtotal, tax and total | Subtotal, any discount, tax by rate and the total due |
| 7 | Payment terms | When payment is due, such as Net 30, and any late fee |
| 8 | How to pay | Bank details, UPI or a payment link |
| 9 | Notes | A thank-you line, purchase order number or project reference |
Download an Invoice Format
Six free invoice formats, each in Word, Excel and PDF. Excel versions calculate totals and tax automatically.
Standard Invoice Template
Any business billing for products or services. The invoice format most clients expect.
- Invoice number, date, due date and PO number
- Itemized table with qty and unit price
- Discount, tax, amount paid and balance due
- Bank and online payment details
Service & Consulting Invoice Template
Consultants, agencies and service providers billing for sessions, retainers or projects.
- Engagement name and service period
- Service date per line
- Less deposit received
- Balance due and contact for queries
Freelance Invoice Template
Freelancers billing a project, with the quote reference and deposit already paid.
- Project, quote reference and delivery date
- Deliverables with hours x rate
- Less deposit paid
- Late fee and file handover terms
Hourly Invoice Template (Timesheet)
Anyone billing by the hour: a timesheet and an invoice in one.
- Billing period
- Date, task, person, hours and rate per line
- Total hours calculated automatically
- Rounding and time-log note
GST Invoice Format (India)
GST-registered businesses in India issuing a tax invoice under the GST rules.
- GSTIN, state code and place of supply
- HSN/SAC per line
- CGST + SGST or IGST switch (Excel)
- Reverse charge, amount in words and declaration
Simple Invoice Format
For a small job with one or two lines, a simple invoice format needs only these eight fields:
- The word "Invoice" and a unique invoice number
- Invoice date and due date
- Your name, address and contact details
- The customer's name and address
- What you supplied, with the amount for each line
- The total due, and tax if you are registered
- How to pay
- Payment terms, such as "Due within 14 days"
That is enough when you are not registered for VAT or GST and the client does not need a purchase order number. Download the simple invoice format above, or fill it in online with the free invoice generator.
Sample Invoice: A Filled-In Example (USD)
Brightline Studio LLC invoicing GreenLeaf Organics Inc. for a website redesign. Invoice INV-2026-0117, dated 10/20/2026, due 11/19/2026 (Net 30). Dates are MM/DD/YYYY.
| # | Item | Qty/Hrs | Rate (USD) | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Discovery workshop and brief | 6 h | 95.00 | 570.00 |
| 2 | UX wireframes (8 pages) | 1 | 1,200.00 | 1,200.00 |
| 3 | UI design (8 pages, 2 rounds) | 1 | 2,400.00 | 2,400.00 |
| 4 | Development and CMS setup | 1 | 3,600.00 | 3,600.00 |
| 5 | QA, launch and training | 8 h | 95.00 | 760.00 |
| Subtotal | 8,530.00 | |||
| Discount 5% | -426.50 | |||
| Sales tax 0% | 0.00 | |||
| Total due | 8,103.50 |
US sales tax on services varies by state, so this sample shows 0%. Check the rules for your state.
Sample GST Invoice (INR)
Brightline Digital Pvt. Ltd. in Bengaluru, Karnataka invoicing Kavya Home Decor in Pune, Maharashtra. Invoice INV-2026-0117, dated 20/10/2026. Dates are DD/MM/YYYY. GSTIN shown on a real invoice would be your own.
| # | Description | SAC | Qty | Rate (₹) | Taxable (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Social media management (monthly) | [SAC] | 1 | 45,000 | 45,000 |
| 2 | Reels production | [SAC] | 4 | 6,000 | 24,000 |
| 3 | Brand setup (one-time) | [SAC] | 1 | 15,000 | 15,000 |
| Taxable value | 84,000 | ||||
| IGST @ 18% | 15,120 | ||||
| Total | 99,120 |
In words: Rupees Ninety-Nine Thousand One Hundred Twenty only. Karnataka to Maharashtra is inter-state, so IGST applies. Within one state it would be CGST 9% (₹7,560) plus SGST 9% (₹7,560), the same total.
Invoice Format by Type
The core format stays the same. Each type adds a few details.
Service invoice
Lines for services or phases, with hours or fixed fees. Use the service invoice format above.
Freelance invoice
Project fee, deposit already paid and the balance due. See the freelance invoice template.
Hourly invoice
Hours worked per task with a timesheet. See the hourly invoice template.
Proforma invoice
A preview before delivery, often to collect an advance. See the proforma invoice template.
Tax or GST invoice
Tax registration numbers and tax by rate. See the tax invoice format.
Commercial invoice
Used for exports, with HS codes, country of origin and shipping terms for customs.
Recurring invoice
The same invoice sent every month for a retainer or subscription, with the service period stated.
Invoice Format in India (GST)
A GST tax invoice must show these details under the GST invoice rules (CGST Rule 46):
- Supplier name, address and GSTIN
- A consecutive serial number of up to 16 characters, unique for the financial year
- Date of issue
- Recipient name, address and GSTIN if registered
- HSN code for goods or SAC code for services
- Description, quantity and taxable value
- GST rate and amount: CGST and SGST for a sale within your state, or IGST for a sale to another state
- Place of supply, with the state name for inter-state supplies
- Signature or digital signature of the supplier
Larger businesses must also issue e-invoices once their turnover crosses the threshold the government sets, so check the current limit. See the GST invoice format for a filled sample and an Excel format.
How to Make an Invoice
1
Pick a format
Simple for small jobs, service or hourly for client work, GST if you are registered in India.
2
Add your details and the customer's
Business name, address, tax number, then the customer's name, address and tax number if any.
3
Number and date it
Use the next number in your sequence, the invoice date and the due date.
4
List each line
Description, quantity and rate. In Excel the amounts and totals calculate for you.
5
Add tax, terms and payment details
Tax by rate, payment terms, and bank details or a payment link.
6
Save as PDF and send
Send the PDF by email, or create and send it online with the free invoice generator.
Invoice Format Mistakes That Delay Payment
- No due date, so the invoice sits at the bottom of the pile.
- A missing purchase order number that the client's accounts team needs.
- Duplicate or out-of-sequence invoice numbers.
- Tax shown as one lump sum instead of by rate, so it cannot be reclaimed.
- No payment details, so the client has to ask how to pay.
- Sending an editable Word file instead of a PDF.
Related Templates & Free Tools
Free Invoice Templates
8 invoice templates in Word, Excel and PDF, plus a filled sample invoice.
Invoice Format in Word
Eight editable .docx invoice formats.
Invoice Template in Excel
Invoices with automatic totals and tax.
Tax Invoice Format
VAT, GST and sales tax invoice requirements by country.
Free Invoice Generator
Create an invoice online in minutes: 39 currencies, auto numbering, PDF, no signup.
Invoice Payment Terms
Net 30, 2/10 Net 30, deposits and late fee wording to copy.
Invoice Format FAQs
What is the format of an invoice?
Your business details and logo, an invoice number, the invoice and due dates, the customer's details, itemized lines with quantity and rate, the subtotal, tax and total, payment terms, and how to pay.
What is a simple invoice format?
The minimum invoice: the word "Invoice", a number, dates, your details and the customer's, what you supplied with amounts, the total, payment terms and how to pay.
What must an invoice include?
At minimum a unique number, the date, seller and buyer details, a description of what was supplied, the amount due and payment terms. Tax-registered businesses must also show their tax number and the tax charged.
What is the difference between a bill and an invoice?
In everyday use they mean the same thing: a request for payment. In India "bill format" usually refers to the same layout as an invoice; under GST a registered supplier issues a tax invoice.
Is there an invoice format in Word and Excel?
Yes. Every format above downloads as Word, Excel and PDF. See the invoice format in Word page for Word-specific tips.
What is the GST invoice format?
A tax invoice showing the supplier's and recipient's GSTIN, a serial number of up to 16 characters, the date, place of supply, HSN or SAC codes, taxable value, GST rate and CGST, SGST or IGST amounts, and a signature.
Can I make an invoice online for free?
Yes. The free invoice generator fills in this format online, calculates tax and totals, and downloads a PDF with no signup.