Net 15 Payment Terms
What They Mean & When to Use Them
Net 15 means your client must pay within 15 calendar daysfrom the invoice date. It's the tightest common payment term β faster than Net 30, much faster than Net 60. Here's everything you need to know about when to use it, how to write it on your invoice, and what to do when clients miss the deadline.
π Net 15 β quick definition
Net 15 vs Net 30 vs Net 60
| Terms | Days | Typical use case | Cash flow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Due on receipt | 0 days | Small jobs, trusted clients | βββββ Best |
| Net 7 | 7 days | Gig economy, quick projects | ββββ |
| Net 15 | 15 days | Freelancers, small agencies | ββββ |
| Net 30 | 30 days | Standard B2B | βββ |
| Net 60 | 60 days | Large corporates, procurement | ββ |
| Net 90 | 90 days | Enterprise / construction | β Painful |
When should you use Net 15?
β Use Net 15 when...
- β’ Client relationship is new β set the tone early
- β’ Project is small or one-time (under Β£2,000)
- β’ You deliver digital work instantly (copywriting, design, code)
- β’ You need cash quickly and client is flexible
- β’ Your industry standard is fast (marketing, PR, consulting)
- β’ Client has historically paid late β tighten the terms
β οΈ Avoid Net 15 when...
- β’ Client is a large corporation with rigid 30/60-day AP cycles
- β’ Procurement requires approval chains (they simply can't pay in 15 days)
- β’ Contract already specifies different terms
- β’ Project will span multiple milestones (use milestone billing instead)
How to write Net 15 on your invoice
Be clear and unambiguous. Here are the accepted formats:
Net 15Standard abbreviation β universally understood
Payment due: [specific date]Most clear β removes any ambiguity (recommended)
Due within 15 daysPlain English β good for non-business clients
Payment terms: Net 15 days from invoice dateFull form β use in contracts
1/10 Net 151% discount if paid within 10 days, otherwise Net 15 due
The 1/10 Net 15 trick β early payment discounts
A powerful technique: 1/10 Net 15 means "1% discount if paid within 10 days, otherwise full amount due in 15 days." For a Β£5,000 invoice that's a Β£50 incentive. Many clients will take it.
- β’ Β£5,000 invoice, 1% discount = Β£50 cost
- β’ Getting paid 5 days sooner = much better than overdraft interest or invoice discounting fees
- β’ Only offer it on invoices where early payment genuinely helps you
What to do when Net 15 is ignored
Day 16 arrives and your bank account is empty. Here's the exact sequence:
"Hi [Name], I wanted to follow up on invoice #X (due [date]). Could you confirm when payment will be processed? Happy to help if anything's needed from my end."
"This invoice is now [X] days overdue. Please arrange payment by [new date] to avoid a late payment charge per our terms."
"This is a final notice. If payment isn't received by [date], I will be forced to add late payment interest of 8% above base rate (UK Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act) and refer this to a debt recovery service."
File a claim via GOV.UK Money Claim Online (MCOL) for invoices under Β£10,000. Court fee: Β£35βΒ£455 depending on amount. Win rate for undisputed invoices: >90%.
Automate the entire follow-up sequence
Writing every reminder email manually is painful and inconsistent. Chaser sends a professionally written escalation sequence automatically:
Each email has a 'Pay now' button (iDEAL / card). Zero configuration after setup. Works whether your terms are Net 7, Net 15, or Net 30.
FAQ β Net 15 payment terms
Does 'Net 15' mean 15 business days or calendar days?
Calendar days by default, unless you write 'Net 15 business days'. Always be explicit β write 'Due [specific date]' to avoid confusion.
Is Net 15 normal for freelancers?
Yes, many freelancers use Net 15 or even shorter terms. Net 30 is the US/UK 'standard' but there's no legal requirement to follow it. Shorter terms are perfectly acceptable, especially for digital services.
Can I charge late fees if Net 15 is breached?
Yes. In the UK, the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act 1998 entitles you to 8% above the Bank of England base rate automatically on B2B invoices. In the US, late fees must be stated in the contract. Add a clause: 'Late payments incur 1.5% monthly interest.'
What if my client insists on Net 30?
Negotiate. You could: (a) accept but add a 2% early payment discount for Net 15, (b) raise your rates slightly to offset the cash flow impact, or (c) require a 50% deposit upfront. Don't just silently accept terms that hurt your cash flow.
How do I enforce Net 15 without damaging the relationship?
The key is being consistent and impersonal: 'Our payment system automatically sends reminders on day 3, 7, and 14. You may get an automated email β nothing personal.' This removes the awkwardness and sets expectations.
Set Net 15 terms on every invoice β automatically chased π
Chaser lets you set custom payment terms per invoice and automatically sends the escalation sequence. First 5 invoices free.
Try Chaser free β