Net 15 means your customer has 15 days after the invoice date to pay you
Net 15 is a payment important date written on an invoice. It tells the person or business you're billing that they have 15 calendar days from the date on the invoice to send you the money. If you invoice on January 1st, they owe you by January 16th. Nothing more complicated than that.
The word "net" in accounting means the final amount due — the number after you've subtracted any discounts or credits. So "Net 15" is shorthand for "the full amount is due in 15 days." You'll see it written as "Net 15" or "N/15" on invoices.
Net 15 is one of the most common payment terms for small businesses and freelancers. It's faster than Net 30 (30 days) but gives customers a little breathing room compared to payment on delivery. Whether it's right for your work depends on your cash flow and who you're billing.
Key Takeaways
- Net 15 means payment is due 15 calendar days after the invoice date, not 15 business days.
- The clock starts on the date printed on the invoice, so make sure that date is accurate and clear.
- You can offer an early-payment discount (like 2% off if paid within 10 days) to speed up cash flow without changing the Net 15 important date.
- If a customer doesn't pay by day 15, you can send a reminder, but you have no legal right to payment until you've invoiced them and given them the agreed time.
- Net 15 is faster than Net 30 but slower than payment upfront, so choose based on your relationship with the customer and how quickly you need the money.
How the 15-day clock works
The 15 days start on the invoice date — the date you write at the top of the invoice, not the date you send it. If your invoice is dated March 5th, payment is due by March 20th. If you send that invoice on March 6th because you were busy, the due date doesn't change. This is why dating your invoices correctly matters.
The 15 days are calendar days, not business days. Weekends and holidays count. If day 15 falls on a Sunday, many businesses will accept payment on the following Monday without penalty, but technically the important date has passed. To avoid confusion, some invoices say "Net 15 days from invoice date" to make it explicit.
You should print the due date directly on the invoice so there's no guessing. Instead of writing "Net 15," you can write "Due by March 20, 2024." This removes any math the customer has to do and makes it harder for them to claim they didn't understand when payment was due.
Net 15 compared to other common payment terms
Different payment terms suit different situations. Here's how Net 15 stacks up:
| Term | Payment Due | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Due on Receipt | when ready or within a few days | New customers, high-risk clients, or when you need cash fast |
| Net 10 | 10 days after invoice date | Customers with strong payment history or when cash flow is tight |
| Net 15 | 15 days after invoice date | Established customers, standard for many freelancers and small businesses |
| Net 30 | 30 days after invoice date | Larger clients, long-term contracts, or when you can afford to wait |
| Net 60 or Net 90 | 60 or 90 days after invoice date | Large corporate clients or government contracts |
Net 15 is a middle ground. It's faster than Net 30, which many larger companies expect. But it's not as tight as Net 10, which can strain relationships with customers who aren't used to quick turnarounds. If you're just starting out and don't know what to offer, Net 15 is a safe default.
When to use Net 15 and when to choose something else
Use Net 15 if you have a steady customer who pays on time, you can cover your own expenses for two weeks, and you want a standard that feels professional without being aggressive. It works well for freelancers, consultants, and small service businesses that invoice regularly.
Choose a shorter term — like Due on Receipt or Net 10 — if you're new to a customer, if they have a history of late payment, or if you're working with tight cash flow and can't afford to wait. You can always offer a discount for early payment to encourage faster payment without lowering your standard terms.
Choose a longer term — like Net 30 — if your customer is a large company that requires it, if you're bidding against competitors who offer Net 30, or if you have enough cash reserves to wait. Some industries (like construction or wholesale) routinely use Net 30 or longer, and matching that expectation can help you win work.
How to write Net 15 on your invoice
Your invoice should show the payment term clearly in at least two places: once as "Net 15" or "N/15" in a line item labeled "Payment Terms," and again as an actual due date. For example:
Invoice Date: March 5, 2024 Payment Terms: Net 15 Due Date: March 20, 2024
Some invoicing software (like Wave, FreshBooks, or QuickBooks) fills in the due date automatically once you select the term. If you're using a template or writing invoices by hand, calculate it yourself and double-check. A wrong due date creates confusion and can delay payment.
You can also add a note like "Payment due within 15 days of invoice date" if you think your customer might be unclear. The clearer your invoice, the fewer payment disputes you'll have.
What to do if payment doesn't arrive by day 15
On day 16, the invoice is technically overdue. You have the right to send a reminder, but how you handle it depends on your relationship with the customer. A friendly first message — "Hi, just checking in on the invoice from March 5th, due today" — often works. Many late payments are accidents, not refusals.
If you don't hear back within a few days, send a more formal reminder that includes the invoice number, amount, and due date. Keep a record of when you sent reminders. If payment is still missing after 30 days, you can escalate to a phone call or consider whether you want to work with this customer again.
Some invoicing software can send automatic reminders on the due date and a few days after. This takes the guesswork out of follow-up and keeps the tone professional. You can also add a late fee to your terms (for example, "1.5% monthly interest on overdue balances") but check your local laws first — some places limit how much you can charge.
Early-payment discounts with Net 15
You can encourage faster payment by offering a small discount if the customer pays early. This is written as "2/10 Net 15," which means "2% off if paid within 10 days, otherwise the full amount is due in 15 days." The customer saves money by paying early, and you get your cash faster.
Early-payment discounts work best with customers who have cash on hand and are looking for ways to reduce their costs. They don't work well with customers who are already stretched thin or who don't track discounts carefully. If you offer one, make sure it's clear on the invoice and straightforward to calculate.
The discount has to be worth your while. A 2% discount means you're giving up 2% of your revenue to get paid 5 days earlier. For some businesses, that trade-off makes sense. For others, it's not worth the complexity. Start with Net 15 straight, and add a discount later if you find you need cash faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Net 15 include weekends and holidays?
Yes, the 15 days are calendar days, so weekends and holidays count toward the important date. If day 15 falls on a holiday or weekend, most businesses accept payment on the next business day without penalty, but technically the important date has passed. To avoid confusion, print the actual due date on your invoice.
Can I change the payment terms after I've sent the invoice?
You can ask the customer to agree to new terms, but you can't unilaterally change them once the invoice is sent. If you need to adjust, send a revised invoice with the new terms and ask the customer to disregard the old one. It's cleaner to get payment terms in writing before you start work.
What's the difference between Net 15 and 2/10 Net 15?
Net 15 means payment is due in 15 days with no discount. 2/10 Net 15 means the customer can take a 2% discount if they pay within 10 days, but if they don't take the discount, the full amount is still due by day 15. The discount is optional for the customer.
Is Net 15 legally binding?
Yes, once a customer accepts an invoice with Net 15 terms, they've agreed to pay by that date. If they don't pay and you need to take legal action, the invoice and the agreed terms are your proof. However, proving they accepted the terms can be harder than it sounds, so keep records of all invoices and communications.
Should I use Net 15 for new customers?
It depends on the customer's creditworthiness and your cash flow. If they're a new business with no payment history, you might ask for payment upfront or Net 10 instead. If they're an established company, Net 15 is standard. You can always adjust after the first invoice based on how they pay.