An invoice is the document that gets you paid, and in the UK it is also a record your accountant and HMRC may ask for. The good news: a clear freelancer invoice is short. This guide lists what to include and shows an example layout.
What a UK invoice should contain
- The word "Invoice" and a unique invoice number, in an unbroken sequence (INV-0001, INV-0002 and so on).
- Your name or business name, address and contact details, plus your company number if you trade through a limited company.
- Your customer's name and address.
- The issue date and the payment due date, with your payment terms.
- A description of the work, with hours and rate or a fixed price for each line.
- The total payable and the currency.
- Your payment details, such as a bank account.
- If you are VAT registered: your VAT number, the VAT rate and the VAT amount. If you are not, a short note that no VAT has been charged.
Example layout
INVOICE INV-0042 Issue date: 19 Oct 2026 Due date: 2 Nov 2026 Payment terms: Due within 14 days From: Alex Morgan Design, 12 High Street, Leeds Bill to: Northfield Ltd, 4 Mill Lane, York Item Qty Rate Amount Website redesign, 1 Sep - 30 Sep 25 60.00 GBP 1,500.00 GBP Subtotal 1,500.00 GBP Total 1,500.00 GBP Balance due 1,500.00 GBP Alex Morgan Design is not VAT registered in the United Kingdom. No VAT has been charged.
Keep numbering and records tidy
Never reuse or skip a number without a reason, and keep a copy of every invoice you send, including cancelled ones. TrackLode numbers an invoice only when you issue it, so a draft you throw away leaves no gap.
Create it in TrackLode
TrackLode builds the invoice from your tracked time, adds the right VAT wording for your situation and produces a PDF you can email. It is free to start, with no card needed. As always, check with your accountant for your own circumstances.