Net 30 means the full invoice amount is due within 30 days of the invoice date. If you issue an invoice on October 1, a Net 30 client has until October 31 to pay it. “Net” just means the whole amount, with no discount.
Payment terms are the part of an invoice that says when and how you want to be paid. Picking them well is one of the cheapest ways to improve your cash flow, and below are the common terms, how to count the days, and how to choose.
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Common payment terms and what they mean
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Due on receipt | Payment is due as soon as the client gets the invoice |
| Net 7, Net 10, Net 15 | Full amount due 7, 10 or 15 days after the invoice date |
| Net 30 | Full amount due 30 days after the invoice date |
| Net 45, Net 60, Net 90 | Full amount due after 45, 60 or 90 days; common with large companies |
| EOM (end of month) | Due at the end of the month in which the invoice is dated, often plus a number of days |
| 2/10 Net 30 | Take 2% off if paid within 10 days; otherwise pay the full amount within 30 days |
| Cash in advance (CIA) | Payment before the work or delivery |
| Deposit, then balance | A share upfront, the rest on completion or at a set date |
How to count the 30 days
The days normally count from the invoice date, not from the day the client opens the email or finishes the work. That is why sending the invoice late costs you money: every day you wait to send is a day later you get paid.
Some companies count from the day they receive the invoice instead. To avoid a disagreement, write the actual due date next to the term, such as “Net 30, due November 16, 2026”. That removes any need to count.
How to choose terms for your business
There is no best term, only the shortest one your client will accept. Some guidance:
- Individuals and small clients: due on receipt or Net 7 to 15 is common, and a deposit is reasonable.
- New clients: ask for a deposit, or use shorter terms until you trust the payment history.
- Companies and agencies: Net 30 is the usual standard. Large companies may insist on Net 45 or 60, and their accounts-payable systems often run on those schedules. You can ask for 30, but know that the answer might be no.
- Long projects: split the invoice into milestones, each with its own terms, so you are not carrying months of unpaid work.
Should you offer an early-payment discount?
A term like 2/10 Net 30 gives the client 2% off for paying in 10 days. It sounds small, but for a client the discount is worth more than it looks: skipping 20 days of waiting for a 2% saving is a high annual return for them. For you, it is a cost.
Use it only if the speed matters more than the margin, for example when you have a payroll or supplier bills of your own to cover. Do the math on your own numbers before offering it. Write it out in full on the invoice so nobody has to guess.
Where to put payment terms on the invoice
Put the terms near the totals, where the eye goes when someone is about to pay. Add the due date, the accepted methods, and, if you charge one, the late fee.
Payment terms: Net 30
Due date: November 16, 2026
Pay by bank transfer or card using the link below.
Late payments: 1.5% per month on the unpaid balance.
When the client pays late anyway
Terms only help if you follow up. Mark the due date in your calendar and send a short reminder a few days before and another on the day. If the date passes, use a payment reminder email, and consider a late fee if your terms stated it up front.
In Jiffy, you can set the default payment terms for your business and per client. On the Pro and Ultra plans, reminders go out on your schedule with a payment link; see payment reminders. Prices are on the pricing section.