What should a UK invoice include?
A UK business invoice should clearly identify you and your customer, explain what was supplied, show the important dates and amounts, and use a unique invoice number. This guide covers the standard invoice details first, then the extra rules that apply to sole traders, limited companies and VAT invoices.
Last reviewed: 18 September 2026.
UK invoice requirements: the quick checklist
For an ordinary UK business invoice, GOV.UK says the invoice must include:
- a unique identification number
- your business name, address and contact information
- the name and address of the customer you are invoicing
- a clear description of the goods or services
- the date the goods or services were supplied
- the invoice date
- the amounts being charged
- the VAT amount where VAT applies
- the total amount owed
What invoice details should go where?
At the top: your identity and invoice number
Make the invoice number easy to find and keep your business identity consistent from one invoice to the next. The number must uniquely identify the invoice; your business details tell the customer who the document came from.
Near the top: invoice date and supply date
The invoice date is the date the invoice is issued. The supply date records when the goods or services were provided. They can be the same date, but they are not the same concept, so a clear invoice gives each its own place.
In the main body: what you supplied and what it costs
Use descriptions that are specific enough for the customer to understand the charge. Separate line items are usually clearer than one unexplained total, especially where different services, quantities or rates are involved.
At the bottom: total due and payment information
The total amount owed should stand out. If you want payment by bank transfer, add the bank details and any payment reference the customer should use. Bank details are useful payment instructions, but they are not part of the basic statutory invoice checklist above.
See our guide to bank details on UK invoices for what to include and how to present them clearly.
Do you need a due date on an invoice?
Businesses can agree their own payment terms. If no payment date has been agreed, GOV.UK says the customer must generally pay within 30 days of receiving the invoice or the goods or service.
Even where a due date is not part of the basic invoice checklist, putting the agreed date prominently on the invoice removes ambiguity and makes it much easier to identify when an unpaid invoice has actually become overdue.
For examples such as 7-day, 14-day and 30-day terms, see our UK invoice payment terms guide.
Source: GOV.UK — payment obligations.
Sole trader, limited company and VAT invoice requirements
Sole traders
If you are a sole trader, GOV.UK says the invoice must also include your own name and any business name you use. If you use a business name, include an address where legal documents can be delivered to you. Our sole trader invoice guide includes examples of how to show a trading name.
Limited companies
A limited company invoice must include the full company name as it appears on the certificate of incorporation. If you choose to name directors on the invoice, GOV.UK says you must include the names of all directors.
VAT-registered businesses
VAT invoices need additional information, including the supplier's VAT registration number and VAT treatment of the supply. See the UK VAT invoice requirements guide before issuing a VAT invoice.
What should an invoice look like?
There is no requirement for a standard visual template. A good invoice simply makes the required information easy to locate. A practical order is: your business identity, invoice number and dates, customer details, itemised charges, totals, then payment instructions and notes.
If you want to see those sections arranged on a page, view our UK invoice example showing what an invoice looks like.
Create the invoice now — or let Klamic remember the repetitive parts.
The free invoice generator works without an account. If invoicing is a regular job, Klamic saves your business details, customers and common services and keeps your invoice history together.