Net 30 is a payment term meaning the full invoice amount is due 30 days after the invoice date. “Net” refers to the total payable and the number is the count of days, so Net 15 and Net 60 work the same way.
When does the clock start?
Usually from the invoice date, counting calendar days. An invoice dated 1 April with Net 30 terms is due by 1 May; one dated 15 March is due by 14 April. Some businesses count from delivery or from the day the invoice arrives instead, so if that matters to you, say so in your contract.
The starting point also matters when no term was agreed at all. In that case EU and UK late-payment rules treat a business payment as late 30 days after the customer receives the invoice, or 30 days after delivery if that comes later, rather than 30 days from the date printed on it. The EU rule is article 3(3) of the Late Payment Directive (2011/7/EU); the UK version is on gov.uk.
Net 15, Net 30, Net 60
- Net 15 — due in 15 days. Suits small jobs, and freelancers who need the cash sooner.
- Net 30 — a month to pay. It matches the 30-day default in those late-payment rules, which makes it an easy term to explain to a client.
- Net 60 — due in 60 days, a long wait if you rely on the money. It's also the longest term those same rules allow between businesses unless a longer one is expressly agreed and fair to the supplier.
Variations you'll see
- 2/10 Net 30 — the client can deduct 2% if they pay within 10 days; otherwise the full amount is due in 30. On a €1,000 invoice, for example, that's €980 by day 10 or €1,000 by day 30.
- Net 30 EOM — 30 days from the end of the month the invoice is dated in. An invoice dated 10 March would be due on 30 April.
Think before offering an early-payment discount. Giving up 2% to be paid 20 days sooner works out at well over 30% a year, so it only makes sense if the faster cash is worth that much to you.
What to write on the invoice
Write the term and the actual due date together, for example “Terms: Net 30. Due: 14 April 2026.” The date settles when the 30 days started. If you've agreed a discount or late-payment interest, repeat it on the invoice in the same words as your agreement.
Is Net 30 right for you?
Net 30 is a reasonable default for business clients. If you're a freelancer, though, a month between finishing the work and getting paid can be a long gap, so consider Net 15, a deposit, or stage payments on bigger jobs. Payment terms explained covers those options, the legal limits, and the interest you can charge when a client pays late.
Get paid on time
In Invoice Forever you pick Due on Receipt, Net 15, 30 or 60 and the due date is filled in for you, so the term and the date match. If you email the invoice from the app, you can also turn on automatic reminders for when it becomes overdue.
