Free Tool

What's that late invoice really worth now?

Work out the late fee on an overdue invoice and the total a customer now owes. Enter the balance, your monthly rate, and how many days it's been — and see the number to put on the reminder.

The overdue balance the customer owes.

$

Your finance charge per month. 1%–1.5% is typical.

%

How many days late the payment is.

days

Late fee

$33.75

Total now due
$1,533.75
Months overdue
1.5

Simple monthly finance charge. Check your state's maximum and your invoice terms.

How it's calculated

Late fee = Invoice amount × Monthly rate × ( Days past due ÷ 30 )

A late fee only sticks if the customer agreed to it before the work — put your terms (rate and when it kicks in) on every estimate and invoice, and keep the rate within your state's legal maximum.

The best late fee is the one you never need.

JobStack sends invoices the day the job's done, keeps a card on file, and chases overdue balances automatically — so you collect instead of calculating penalties. Launching soon.

Notify me at launch

Frequently asked questions

What late fee can a contractor charge?
A monthly finance charge of 1%–1.5% of the overdue balance is common, as is a flat fee. The enforceable maximum is set by your state and must be disclosed in your invoice or contract terms before the work — you can't add a fee a customer never agreed to.
How is a late fee calculated?
For a percentage fee: late fee = invoice amount × monthly rate × months overdue. On a $1,500 invoice at 1.5% per month, 45 days (1.5 months) late is $1,500 × 0.015 × 1.5 = $33.75, for $1,533.75 total due.
Are late fees legal?
Generally yes, if the fee is stated in your agreed terms and stays within your state's maximum allowable rate. Some states cap monthly rates and require a grace period. This calculator is a planning tool, not legal advice — confirm the limits where you operate.
What's better than charging late fees?
Getting paid before it's ever late. Short terms (Net 7–14), a deposit up front, card-on-file, and automatic reminders the day a balance is due collect far more than after-the-fact penalties — which is exactly what JobStack automates.

More free tools: invoice generator, hourly rate calculator. This calculator is for planning only and is not legal or financial advice.