Work out a late fee
Change any number and the result updates as you type.
Late fee owed
$25.20
$2,400.00 invoice · 21 days late → total now due $2,425.20.
Effective daily rate0.0500%
Total with fee$2,425.20
Copy-ready terms clause
Payment is due within 30 days of the invoice date (Net 30). Overdue balances accrue a late fee of 1.5% per month, applied to the outstanding amount until paid in full.
Everything stays in your browser. Nothing is sent or saved.
How to use the late fee calculator
- Enter the invoice amount and how many days it’s overdue.
- Set your late-fee rate, and whether it’s charged per month, per year or per day.
- Copy the terms clause into your contract and onto every invoice.
How the late fee calculator works
The calculator turns your rate into a daily rate, then multiplies it by the amount and the days late.
Late feeinvoice amount × daily rate × days overdue
Daily ratemonthly rate ÷ 30, or yearly rate ÷ 365
A monthly rate is the most common on freelance invoices. A yearly rate reads smaller but works out about the same: 18% a year is roughly 1.5% a month. A per-day rate is used exactly as you enter it.
- Daily rate
- 1.5% ÷ 30 = 0.05%
- Late fee
- $2,400 × 0.05% × 21 = $25.20
- Now due
- $2,425.20
The fee grows a little each day the invoice stays unpaid. Most clients pay well before it adds up to much, which is the point.
Late fee calculator FAQ
Can I charge a late fee on an invoice?
Yes, if your client agreed to it before the work began. Put it in your contract and on every invoice. Some states cap late fees, so check yours before you choose a rate.
What’s a fair late fee?
1–1.5% a month on the overdue balance is common; some freelancers prefer a small flat fee. Keep it modest. The point is prompt payment, not punishment.
When should a late fee start?
From the day after the due date in your terms. A short grace period, say seven days, keeps things friendly.
Should I warn the client before I add it?
Yes. A short, kind reminder that mentions the fee usually gets the invoice paid before you need to charge it.
Is a late fee the same as interest?
Not quite. Interest grows with time, like the per-month rate here. A flat fee is one fixed charge, say $25, added once the invoice is overdue. Whichever you choose, name it in your payment terms before the work begins.
More money tools
Freelance rate calculatorTurn your income goal, expenses, and time off into an hourly rate that actually pays the bills.Invoice generatorAdd your line items, watch the totals and tax add up, and copy a clean, itemized invoice.Tax set-aside estimatorFind the slice of every payment to park for tax, so April is boring instead of brutal.Project profitabilityCompare your quote against real hours and costs to see which projects actually earn their keep.