Free purchase order template.
A purchase order (PO) is issued by a buyer to a supplier to confirm exactly what is being ordered, in what quantity and at what price. Use invoice44 to raise clean, numbered POs that suppliers can match to their invoices. Free, no signup, works offline.
What a purchase order does
Confirms the order
Quantities, descriptions and agreed unit prices in writing.
PO number
A reference both sides quote, so invoices match the order.
Controls spend
Approve cost before goods or services are delivered.
Clean records
A paper trail that matches the supplier’s eventual invoice.
How to create one
Add buyer & supplier
Your details and the supplier’s.
Give it a PO number
A unique reference for matching later.
List items
Description, quantity and agreed unit price per line.
Add delivery & terms
Delivery address, date and payment terms.
Send it
Email the PDF to the supplier to fulfil.
New to invoicing? Read how to create an invoice and how to send an invoice.
Frequently asked questions
What is a purchase order?
A purchase order is a document a buyer sends to a supplier to confirm an order — the items, quantities, agreed prices and delivery terms. It commits the buyer to the purchase and lets the supplier fulfil and invoice against it.
What is the difference between a purchase order and an invoice?
A purchase order is raised by the buyer before delivery to request goods; an invoice is raised by the seller after delivery to request payment. The two are matched using the PO number.
Who creates the purchase order?
The buyer creates and sends the PO to the supplier. The supplier then delivers and references the PO number on their invoice.
Do small businesses need purchase orders?
They are optional but useful — POs control spending, prevent ordering mistakes and make supplier invoices easy to verify.
Related: Proforma invoice · Quotation · Credit note · Recurring invoice · All templates