Free milestone invoice template.
A milestone invoice bills a portion of a larger project as each defined milestone is reached — common on builds, software projects, design work and consulting engagements. Use invoice44 to issue clean, numbered milestone invoices that show what was paid before and what remains. Free, no signup, works offline.
How milestone billing works
Predictable cash flow
Get paid as work is completed, not only at the end.
Clear progress
Each invoice shows the milestone, the amount and the running balance.
Deposit + stages
Take a deposit up front; bill the remaining milestones as they hit.
Reduces risk
Smaller, regular invoices are easier to chase than one large balance.
How to create one
Label the milestone
"Milestone 2 — design sign-off" on the line item.
Show the amount
The milestone fee, plus any extras done that period.
Reference the contract
Quote the project or PO number for matching.
Show what is paid
List previously-paid milestones so the running total is clear.
Send the PDF
Email the branded invoice as each milestone is reached.
New to invoicing? Read how to create an invoice and how to send an invoice.
Frequently asked questions
What is a milestone invoice?
A milestone invoice bills part of a larger project as a defined stage of work is completed — for example, after design sign-off, after a build phase, or after delivery of a module. It helps cash flow and reduces the risk of chasing one large final invoice.
How do I track what has been paid so far?
On each milestone invoice, list previous milestones briefly with "paid" against them, so the client sees the cumulative position. invoice44 lets you add free-form lines to do this cleanly.
How is a milestone invoice different from a deposit invoice?
A deposit invoice is a single up-front payment before work begins. Milestone invoices are issued repeatedly through the project, each tied to a specific deliverable being completed.
Can I combine a deposit with milestones?
Yes — take a deposit on signing, then issue a milestone invoice at each stage. Show the deposit and prior milestones on the final invoice so the balance is plain.
Related: Proforma invoice · Quotation · Credit note · Recurring invoice · All templates