Free tool · UK trades & self-employed
Free UK Invoice Generator
Create a professional UK invoice in under two minutes. Add your details, line items, and VAT rate — then print or save as PDF. No account, no watermark, no cost.
What a UK invoice must include
HMRC sets out specific requirements for what counts as a valid UK invoice. A basic invoice (for non-VAT-registered businesses) must include: a unique sequential invoice number, your name (or business name) and address, the customer's name and address, the invoice date, a clear description of the services or goods provided, and the total amount due.
If you are VAT-registered, you must issue a full VAT invoice that additionally includes: your VAT registration number, the supply date, the VAT rate applied to each line item, the net amount per line, and the total VAT amount. This is the type of invoice your VAT-registered customers need to reclaim their input tax.
Invoice numbering for UK sole traders
UK invoices must use a unique, sequential reference number — meaning no gaps and no duplicates. HMRC requires this for audit trail purposes. You can use a simple numerical sequence (001, 002, 003) or include a year prefix (2026-001) to keep annual records separate.
When using a one-off generator like this tool, keep a log of your invoice numbers so you can maintain the sequence across sessions. If you send more than a handful of invoices per month, dedicated software that auto-increments your invoice numbers is more reliable.
Payment terms and getting paid on time
Standard UK payment terms for trade work are 14 or 30 days from the invoice date, though you can set whatever terms suit your business. Stating payment terms clearly on every invoice — and including bank transfer details — removes the most common reason for late payment: the customer "not knowing how to pay."
UK law gives businesses the right to charge statutory interest on overdue invoices under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act 1998. The rate is 8% above the Bank of England base rate. Including your payment terms on the invoice is the foundation for enforcing this if needed.
Free UK Invoice Generator
Build a professional VAT invoice in under 60 seconds. No signup, no watermark — create and print invoices directly in your browser.
Your business
Bill to
Invoice details
Line items
Your browser's print dialogue will open — choose “Save as PDF” as the destination.
Your Business Ltd
123 Trade Street London, SW1A 1AA
you@example.com
INVOICE
# INV-0001
Date: 2026-05-19
Due: 2026-06-02
Bill to
Customer Name
Customer Address City, Postcode
| Description | Qty | Unit | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labour | 1 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
Payment terms
Payment due within 14 days. BACS: 00-00-00 / 12345678
What must a UK invoice include?
- A unique invoice number
- Your business name and address
- Customer name and address
- Invoice date and payment due date
- Description of work or goods supplied
- Total amount due (and VAT amount if VAT registered)
- Your VAT registration number (VAT invoices only)
See our full guide: how to invoice clients in the UK.
How to save your invoice as a PDF
- Fill in your details and line items above
- Click Print / Save as PDF
- Your browser's print dialogue opens
- Set the destination to “Save as PDF”
- Click Save — works in Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox
On mobile, use your browser's share or print menu to save as PDF.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be VAT registered to send an invoice?
No. Any self-employed person can issue invoices. Only add VAT if you're registered with HMRC. If you're not registered, set VAT to 0% and leave the VAT number blank.
Is this invoice generator HMRC compliant?
The invoices include the standard fields required for UK invoicing and VAT invoices where applicable. Always consult an accountant if you're unsure about your specific requirements.
Can I create invoices on my phone?
Yes — the tool works in mobile browsers. Fill in your details and use your phone's print or share function to save the PDF.
Do I need invoicing software as a sole trader?
A free template is fine when starting out. As job volume grows, dedicated software saves significant time — auto-filling customers, converting quotes to invoices, and chasing payment. See our invoicing software comparison.
Send invoices in seconds, not minutes
WrkGenie auto-fills customers, line items, and VAT — and lets your customers pay with one tap. Built for UK trades and self-employed.
When to consider dedicated invoicing software
A free generator is ideal for occasional invoicing. Once you are sending more than a handful of invoices per month, dedicated software saves significant time: customer details auto-fill, quotes convert to invoices in one click, payment reminders send automatically, and you can see at a glance what has and has not been paid.
WrkGenie is built specifically for UK tradespeople and sole traders — see how invoicing works or explore the sole trader plan.
Frequently asked questions
What must a UK invoice include?
A UK invoice must include: a unique invoice number, your name and address, the customer's name and address, the invoice date, a description of the goods or services, the amount due, and — if you're VAT registered — your VAT number and the VAT amount charged.
Do I need to be VAT registered to send an invoice?
No. Any self-employed person or business can issue invoices without being VAT registered. You only add VAT to your invoices if you are registered for VAT with HMRC. If you're not registered, set the VAT rate to 0% and leave the VAT number field blank.
Can I save the invoice as a PDF?
Yes. Click the 'Print / Save as PDF' button and your browser's print dialogue will open. Select 'Save as PDF' as the destination — available in Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox — to download your invoice as a PDF file.
Do I need invoicing software as a sole trader?
A free template works well when you're starting out. As your job volume grows, dedicated software saves significant time — auto-filling customer details, converting quotes to invoices, sending payment reminders, and tracking what's been paid.
More free tools for UK tradespeople
- Free UK VAT calculator — add, remove, or reverse VAT at any rate
- Hourly rate calculator — work out what you should charge per hour
- Day rate calculator — calculate your day rate to hit your income target
- How to invoice clients (UK guide) — what to include and best practices