Payment terms
Net 15
Net 15 means the full invoice amount is due within 15 days of the invoice date.
What Net 15 means
Net 15 is a payment term that tells your client the full balance on an invoice is due within 15 calendar days of the invoice date. The word "net" refers to the total amount owed after any discounts or credits have been applied, and the number that follows is the count of days you are giving the client to pay.
Unless your invoice states otherwise, the 15-day clock starts on the invoice date, not the date the work was delivered or the date the client received the invoice. Counting in calendar days, not business days, is the standard convention, so weekends and holidays are included in the window.
When to use Net 15
Net 15 is a good middle ground for freelancers and small service businesses. It is short enough to keep your cash flow healthy and predictable, but long enough to feel professional and give clients time to route the payment through their accounts payable process.
Net 15 works well with new clients you do not yet have a long history with, with smaller invoices, and with retainer or recurring arrangements where you bill frequently. If you need to be paid faster, consider Due on receipt or Net 7. If a client needs more room, Net 30 is the most common alternative.
To make Net 15 effective, state the term clearly on every invoice, show the exact due date rather than only the term, and send the invoice promptly so the countdown is working in your favor.
Example: You send an invoice dated June 1, 2026 for 1,200 dollars with Net 15 terms. Counting 15 calendar days from June 1, the payment is due on June 16, 2026. If the client has not paid by June 16, the invoice is past due on June 17.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Does Net 15 start from the invoice date or the delivery date?
By default Net 15 starts from the invoice date. If you want it to start from another point, such as the delivery date or the date goods are received, you must spell that out explicitly on the invoice.
Is Net 15 counted in calendar days or business days?
Net 15 is counted in calendar days, so weekends and holidays are included. An invoice dated June 1 is due June 16 regardless of which days fall on a weekend.
Is Net 15 better than Net 30 for freelancers?
For cash flow, Net 15 is better because you collect twice as fast as Net 30. Net 30 is more common with corporate clients, so the right choice depends on your client mix and how much working capital you can carry.
What happens if a Net 15 invoice is not paid in 15 days?
The invoice becomes past due on day 16. At that point you can send a reminder, apply any late fee stated in your terms, and follow up to collect the balance.
Related terms
Net 30
Net 30 is a payment term that means the full invoice balance is due within 30 days of the invoice date.
Due on receipt
"Due on receipt" is a payment term meaning the client is expected to pay the invoice immediately upon receiving it, rather than within a set number of days.
Net 60
Net 60 means the full invoice amount is due within 60 days of the invoice date.
Put it into practice
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