Invoice late fee calculator
A client is late. Again. Enter the invoice amount, how many days overdue it is, and your late fee policy (flat fee or a monthly percentage), and see exactly what to add to the next reminder. Plus a quick guide to charging late fees without souring the relationship.
Fee type
1–2% per month is typical. The fee accrues pro-rata by day.
Late fee owed
$22.50
1.5% per month on $1,500.00, 30 days overdue.
Invoices with an online payment link get paid days faster.
How to charge late fees without losing the client
Put it in writing first
Late fees are only enforceable when the client agreed to them up front. State your policy in the contract and repeat it in the payment terms of every invoice, e.g. "Invoices unpaid after the due date accrue a 1.5% monthly late fee."
Keep the rate reasonable
1–2% per month (or a flat $25–$50) is the norm. Some US states cap interest on debts, so check your state's usury limit before going higher. The goal is a nudge, not a penalty a client will dispute.
Remind before you charge
Send a friendly reminder at the due date, mention the fee in the first overdue notice, and only add it to the next invoice or a revised one. Waiving a fee for a good client who slipped once buys goodwill, but you can't waive a fee you never stated.
Frequently asked questions
Most freelancers charge 1–2% of the invoice total per month overdue, or a flat fee of $25–$50. Some US states cap the interest rate you can charge on debts (usury laws), so if you go above ~1.5% per month, check your state's limit.
Generally only if the client agreed to them in advance. Put your late fee policy in your contract and repeat it in the payment terms on every invoice. A fee that appears for the first time on an overdue notice is much harder to collect.
Their real power is deterrence: invoices with a stated late fee get paid noticeably faster. Many freelancers include the policy on every invoice, then waive the fee as a goodwill gesture for good clients who slip once. You can't waive a fee you never stated.
Add one line to your payment terms, e.g. "Payment due within 30 days. Invoices unpaid after the due date accrue a late fee of 1.5% per month." State it in your contract too, and mention it politely in your first overdue reminder.
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