Free tool
How long until you get paid
Industry, client size, terms, and country in. A realistic days-to-pay estimate out, with the data sources cited.
Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) is the average number of days between issuing an invoice and getting paid. DSO varies wildly by industry (construction averages 60+ days; consumer services often under 20), client size (Fortune 500 stretches 30-50% longer than mid-market), and country (US average about 33 days; France about 65). This predictor combines published DSO data from Atradius, Dun and Bradstreet, and PYMNTS reports to give you a realistic estimate, plus the band you should plan cash flow around.
Predicted days to payment
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Best case
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Likely
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Worst case
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Estimates use industry DSO benchmarks from Atradius Payment Practices Barometer (2024), Dun and Bradstreet Trade Payment data, and PYMNTS B2B Payment reports. Your actual experience varies; treat the predicted day as the median, not a guarantee.
Why an estimate beats wishful thinking
Most freelancers plan cash flow assuming Net 30 means paid on day 31. The data says otherwise.
Average DSO often exceeds the contracted term
US B2B invoices on Net 30 terms are paid on average around day 33-35. EU averages closer to 45 days. Some industries (construction, government) routinely exceed 60. The contract is the floor, not the ceiling.
Larger clients pay slower
Enterprise AP teams have more approvers, more validation rules, and quarterly cash-flow targets that bias them toward paying on the latest possible day. Plan accordingly.
Country matters more than people think
France, Italy, and Spain have structurally longer payment cycles than the US, UK, or Germany. Cross-border invoicing without buffer is a recipe for cash-flow stress.
First invoices are riskier than repeat ones
First invoice with a new client carries a 1.5-2x risk of payment delay versus a repeat invoice. Once you have a track record, the predictor improves.
Plan around the prediction
Set a realistic late fee
Use the prediction to calibrate when to start charging late fees (typically 7-14 days past the predicted likely day).
Learn more →
Pre-write the follow-up email
Have the gentle nudge ready to send the day after the likely payment date.
Learn more →
Send the invoice on a faster channel
JupiterInvoice's link-based invoices reduce DSO by removing the back-and-forth. Recipients can edit, ask, and approve at the link.
Learn more →
Payment time FAQ
Where do these estimates come from?
Why is the predicted day later than the contract term?
Should I quote a longer term to compensate?
What can I do to reduce my own DSO?
Is this a guarantee?
Why is the worst-case so much wider than the best-case?
Reduce your DSO with link-based invoices
Studies show invoices with two-way response (the recipient can fix the PO, billing entity, and AP contact at the link) get paid 7-12 days faster than static PDFs.
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