Net 15 vs Net 30 vs Net 60: Which Payment Term Should You Use?

"Net 30" is one of those phrases that shows up on almost every invoice but rarely gets explained. It simply means payment is due 30 days after the invoice date. Net 15 and Net 60 work the same way, just with 15 or 60 days instead. The "net" refers to the full amount owed, with no early-payment discount attached — as opposed to terms like "2/10 Net 30," which offer a discount for paying within 10 days.

Net 15

A 15-day window is common for smaller jobs, new client relationships where you want to keep cash flow tight, or freelancers who simply prefer getting paid sooner rather than later. It puts more pressure on the client to pay quickly, which is reasonable for lower-value or one-off engagements, but it can feel aggressive for larger corporate clients who are used to longer cycles.

Net 30

This is the most widely used default in business-to-business invoicing. It gives the client a full billing cycle to process payment through their accounts payable workflow, which is often how larger companies operate regardless of what you ask for. If you don't have a strong reason to choose something else, Net 30 is a safe, expected starting point.

Net 60

Longer terms like Net 60 usually show up in relationships with larger enterprise clients, agencies billing on behalf of another party, or industries where long payment cycles are the norm (construction and wholesale, for example). Net 60 is friendlier to the client's cash flow but harder on yours, so it's worth pricing that trade-off into your rates if a client requires it.

Which one should you use?

For most freelancers and small businesses, Net 30 is a reasonable default unless you have a specific reason to shorten or extend it. If cash flow is tight, or you're working with a new client whose reliability you haven't tested yet, Net 15 (or even due-on-receipt) reduces your risk. If you're working with a large client whose finance department has strict, longer cycles, you may not have much choice beyond Net 60 — in which case it's worth factoring that delay into your pricing or cash-flow planning.

The one rule that matters most

Whatever term you choose, state it clearly on every single invoice — not just in an email or a contract the client signed months ago. A due date printed directly on the invoice is far less likely to be missed than a term buried in earlier correspondence.

Our free Invoice Generator lets you set an issue date and due date directly on the invoice, so your payment terms are always front and center.