Net 15

Net 15 means the buyer must pay the full invoice amount within 15 days of the invoice date, half the runway of the standard Net 30 default and common in freelance and small-business invoicing.

Applies in: Global

Net 15 shows up most where the supplier has cash-flow pressure and the buyer is small enough to act fast. Freelancers, designers, and small consultancies frequently default to Net 15 instead of Net 30, because waiting a month for every invoice puts genuine strain on a one-person business. Small-buyer to small-buyer, Net 15 is realistic. The buyer can read the invoice, approve it, and bank-transfer within a fortnight without a procurement process getting in the way.

The dynamics change with bigger buyers. A corporate AP team running a four-week processing cycle will simply not pay a Net 15 invoice in 15 days. Either the invoice is paid on the AP team's own schedule (typically beyond Net 15), or the supplier ends up doing weekly chases. For mid-to-large B2B, Net 30 is the more honest default; Net 15 sets up a fight you usually lose.

The phrasing on the invoice matters. "Net 15" assumes 15 calendar days from the invoice date. If you want 15 business days, or 15 days from receipt, you have to state it explicitly, or the buyer will assume calendar days from invoice date and pay accordingly.

Common questions about Net 15

When should I use Net 15 instead of Net 30?

When the buyer is small enough to actually move at that speed (sole traders, small agencies, owner-operated businesses) and your cash flow needs the faster turn. For corporates, government, or large institutional buyers, Net 30 is the realistic floor and Net 15 just gets ignored.

Is Net 15 enforceable?

Net 15 is a commercial term, not a law, so its enforceability rests on the contract or the engagement letter. Late-payment laws (the UK's Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act, the EU Late Payment Directive) kick in based on the agreed term, so Net 15 plus 30 statutory days is when you can start charging interest. Whether you actually do is a relationship call.

Can I charge a late fee on a missed Net 15 deadline?

Yes, if the late fee is in the contract or stated on the invoice itself. UK and EU law sets statutory interest rates that apply automatically once payment is overdue, but most freelancers state a specific late-fee percentage (commonly 1.5% per month) on the invoice so there is no ambiguity. Whether to apply it is usually a relationship decision rather than a legal one.

Use JupiterInvoice for Net 15

Net 15 on a JupiterInvoice invoice is a field, a label, and an audit trail your buyer can act on without an email back-and-forth.

Net 30 payment terms, explained

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