Late payment calculator

Enter the invoice and see exactly how overdue it is, what has accrued, and which stage of the follow-up sequence you are in. Then take the chase email that matches.

Working out what to say? The Complete Guide to Freelance Invoicing has the full escalation sequence.

Where you stand

15 days overdue

Stage: Firm

Due date: August 17, 2026
Late fee accrued: $31.50
Total now owed: $4,231.50

Accruing $2.10 per day.

Your three chase emails

Polite nudge (day 1–7)

Subject: Invoice [Invoice number] — quick nudge

Hi [Client name],

Just a quick note that invoice [Invoice number] ($4,200.00) was due on August 17, 2026. I've reattached it here in case it's easier.

Could you let me know if it's been scheduled for payment?

Thanks,
[Your name]

Firm follow-up (day 8–21)

Subject: Invoice [Invoice number] — 15 days overdue

Hi [Client name],

Invoice [Invoice number] ($4,200.00) is now 15 days past due. Our agreed terms were payment within 30 days, and a late fee of 1.5% per month is now accruing — $31.50 to date, bringing the balance to $4,231.50.

Could you confirm a payment date by end of week? If there's an issue with the invoice, tell me what it is and I'll fix it today. While the balance is outstanding I'm holding scheduled work on other items for you.

Thanks,
[Your name]

Final notice (day 22+)

Subject: Final notice — invoice [Invoice number], 15 days overdue

Hi [Client name],

Invoice [Invoice number] remains unpaid 15 days after the due date of August 17, 2026. The balance including accrued late fees under the late-payment clause of our agreement is $4,231.50 ($4,200.00 plus $31.50 in fees, accruing at $2.10 per day).

Please arrange payment within 7 days. If the balance is not settled by then I will escalate the matter for formal recovery, which I would much rather avoid.

If there is a reason payment cannot be made, tell me now and we can agree a schedule in writing.

Thanks,
[Your name]

Late payment escalation ladder

Day 1: assume an oversight. Short, friendly, reattach the invoice, ask if it is scheduled.
Day 7: solve the routing problem — ask whether it has reached accounts payable and who to send it to directly.
Day 14: state the agreed terms, name a date, and offer to fix any problem with the invoice today.
Day 22+: final notice referencing the late-payment clause, with a specific date before escalation.
After that: pause other work, escalate above your contact, then formal recovery.

One step left

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Late payment calculator

The invoice

Your three chase emails

Late payment escalation ladder

Get the three chase emails, filled in with your numbers.

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