Hourly Invoice Template — Bill by the Hour
Billing by the hour lives or dies on legibility: the client wants to see what the hours were spent on, and you want the math to be beyond question. An hourly invoice template does both — each line shows the work, the hours, the rate, and the amount, and the totals calculate themselves.
Use this free template for consulting, trades, tutoring, development, or any work billed by time. Enter hours as quantities and your rate as the price; group lines by task, by day, or by week — whatever tells the story of the work best.
What to include on a hourly invoice
- ✓ Your business details and the client's details
- ✓ Invoice number, issue date, and due date
- ✓ One line per task or work period, with a clear description
- ✓ Hours worked as the quantity on each line
- ✓ Your hourly rate — per line, if different work has different rates
- ✓ The billing period covered (e.g. "June 1–15") in the notes or title
- ✓ Subtotal, tax if applicable, and total due
- ✓ A note on how hours were tracked, if the client requires timesheets
Free invoice generator — no sign-up, download as PDF
Example line items
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems audit — on-site | 6 | $140.00 | $840.00 |
| Implementation planning | 4 | $140.00 | $560.00 |
| Team training session | 2 | $180.00 | $360.00 |
| Total | $1,760.00 | ||
Describe outcomes, not just hours
"Database migration and testing — 6.5 hrs" reads very differently from "Work — 6.5 hrs". A few words about what the hours produced answers the client's only real question: what did I pay for?
Use quarter-hour increments
Bill in 0.25-hour steps (enter 3.75, not "3 hours 45 minutes"). Decimal quantities multiply cleanly against your rate, and the convention is familiar to anyone who's worked with lawyers or agencies.
Cap surprises with an estimate
For open-ended hourly work, agree on a not-to-exceed number up front and reference it in the notes ("Approved budget: 40 hrs"). Clients dispute surprises, not hours.
Frequently asked questions
How do I show hours and rates on an invoice?
Enter hours as the quantity and your hourly rate as the price — the template multiplies them per line and totals everything automatically. Use one line per task or per day for a clear breakdown.
Can I use different rates on the same invoice?
Yes — each line item has its own rate, so on-site work, remote work, and rush hours can all appear on one invoice at their own prices.
Should I attach a timesheet?
For corporate clients, often yes — reference it in the notes ("Detailed timesheet attached"). For most small-business clients, well-described line items make a separate timesheet unnecessary.
How precise should my hour tracking be?
As precise as you bill. If you invoice in quarter-hour increments, track in quarter-hour increments — rounded-looking hours (always exactly 8.0) invite more questions than odd ones (7.75).
Related templates
Create a professional freelance invoice in minutes.
Software invoice template for developers, consultants, and SaaS.
Invoice template built for plumbers.
Elegant invoice template for photographers.
Browse every free template by industry and format.
The eight things every invoice needs, step by step.
