Net 15 Payment Terms

How Net 15 works

Payment is due 15 days after the invoice date. It balances client convenience with reasonable cash flow for freelancers and small agencies.

• Due 15 days after invoice date
• Common for agencies and retainers
• Middle ground between Net 7 and Net 30

Net 15 vs Net 30

Net 15 reduces waiting time compared with Net 30 and is easier for clients to accept than due-on-receipt for larger amounts. Use Net 15 when you have an established relationship but still need predictable timing.

• Net 15 gets paid sooner than Net 30
• Easier for clients than due-on-receipt on large totals
• Good default for established relationships

Adding payment instructions

Pair Net 15 with clear bank details or a payment link. Corporate clients often batch payments weekly — clear references help your invoice get matched quickly.

• Include payment reference
• Add AP contact if known
• State currency clearly

Calculate the due date consistently

Treat Net 15 as a calculation rule and still print the resulting date. An invoice issued on September 3 is normally due September 18 when the agreement uses calendar days.

If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, your contract or client policy may determine whether payment moves to the prior or next business day. Do not leave that choice for the client to guess.

Showing both “Net 15” and “Due September 18, 2026” gives the purchasing team a recognizable term and the accounts-payable team an exact deadline.

Agree the term before work begins

Payment terms work best when they appear in the proposal or service agreement, not for the first time on the invoice.

Ask whether the client can actually process Net 15; a large company may have a mandatory Net 30 cycle or require vendor onboarding before the clock starts.

If they need longer terms, consider a deposit, smaller milestones, or pricing that reflects the delay. Record the agreed trigger too: invoice date, receipt by accounts payable, or acceptance of a deliverable can produce different deadlines.