Net 30 Payment Terms: Meaning, Due Dates and Examples
"Net 30" is the most common payment term on business invoices. It means the full invoice amount is due 30 days after the invoice date. This page explains how to count the 30 days, what the common variants mean ("30 days from receipt", "Net 30 EOM", "2/10 Net 30"), and what the law says when no terms were agreed.
Net 30 in one line: pay the full amount (no discount) within 30 calendar days of the invoice date. Invoice dated 1 October → due 31 October. Invoice dated 15 January → due 14 February.
How to calculate a Net 30 due date
Add 30 calendar days to the invoice date. Weekends and public holidays count, unless your contract says "business days". If the due date falls on a weekend, many clients will pay on the next business day; if that matters to you, say so in your terms.
Payment due: …
| Invoice date | Net 30 due date |
|---|---|
| 1 January | 31 January |
| 15 January | 14 February |
| 31 January | 2 March (1 March in a leap year) |
| 1 February 2026 | 3 March 2026 |
| 30 June | 30 July |
| 1 December | 31 December |
Variants you will see on invoices and contracts
"30 days from date of invoice"
The standard reading of Net 30. The clock starts on the invoice date printed on the document.
"30 days from receipt of invoice" / "within 30 calendar days of invoice receipt"
Common in purchase orders from large companies. The clock starts when the client receives the invoice, so a late or lost invoice delays payment. Send invoices by email (or upload them to the client's portal) the day you issue them, and keep proof of when you sent them.
"30 days after delivery" / "30 days after acceptance"
The clock starts when the goods are delivered or the work is formally accepted. Record delivery and acceptance dates, and put them on the invoice.
Net 30 EOM
Due 30 days after the end of the month in which the invoice is dated. Every invoice issued in October is due on 30 November. This lets clients run one monthly payment batch.
2/10 Net 30
An early-payment discount: the client can take 2% off if they pay within 10 days; otherwise the full amount is due in 30 days. On a $5,000 invoice, the client pays $4,900 by day 10 or $5,000 by day 30. Giving up 2% to be paid 20 days sooner is equivalent to an annual rate of roughly 37%, so only offer it if the faster cash is worth that much to you.
Net 30 vs Net 60 and Net 90
Net 60 and Net 90 work the same way with longer periods. They are usually set by large customers. Before accepting them, check you can fund the work for that long.
Net 30 vs due upon receipt
"Due upon receipt" means pay immediately; Net 30 gives the client 30 days. Use due upon receipt for consumers, deposits and small one-off jobs, and Net 30 for business clients who pay through an accounts-payable process.
What if no payment terms were agreed?
- United Kingdom: for business-to-business contracts, the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 sets a default credit period of 30 days (from delivery or from receipt of the invoice, whichever is later). After that, the supplier can claim statutory interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate plus fixed compensation of £40, £70 or £100 depending on the size of the debt.
- European Union: under the Late Payment Directive (2011/7/EU), if no date is agreed, interest runs after 30 days. Public authorities must normally pay within 30 days (60 in limited cases), and business-to-business terms over 60 days must be expressly agreed and not grossly unfair.
- United States: there is no general statutory default for private business invoices; it depends on your contract and state law. Federal agencies generally must pay within 30 days of receiving a proper invoice under the Prompt Payment Act, and owe interest if they pay late.
This is general information, not legal advice. Check the current rules where you operate.
How to write Net 30 on an invoice
Getting paid on time under Net 30
- Invoice the day you deliver; the 30 days only start when you invoice.
- Ask large clients for their purchase order number and accounts-payable email before you invoice. See purchase order vs invoice.
- Print the due date, not just "Net 30".
- Send a friendly reminder a few days before the due date and another on the day it becomes overdue. Wording: invoice email templates.
Frequently asked questions
What does Net 30 mean on an invoice?
The full invoice amount is due within 30 calendar days of the invoice date.
Does Net 30 start from the invoice date or the date received?
Normally the invoice date. If the contract says "30 days from receipt of invoice", the clock starts when the client receives it.
Is Net 30 the same as 30 days EOM?
No. Net 30 EOM is due 30 days after the end of the month in which the invoice is dated, which can be up to 60 days later.
What happens if a client pays after Net 30?
The invoice is overdue. Send a reminder; late fees or statutory interest apply only where agreed or allowed by law.
Create your invoice
Download a free template in Word, Excel or PDF, or fill one in online and save it as a PDF.