Deposit Calculator
Work out how much to collect upfront before you start a project. Enter the total and a deposit percentage to see the deposit and balance.
Calculate your deposit
Enter the project total and the deposit percentage you want to charge.
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How it works
Two inputs split your project fee into an upfront deposit and a final balance.
Enter the project total
Type the full amount you are charging for the project. This is the figure the deposit percentage is applied to.
Set the deposit percentage
Choose what share of the total you want upfront, such as 25 or 50 percent. The calculator multiplies the total by this percentage.
See deposit and balance
You get the deposit to invoice now and the balance due on completion. Send the deposit invoice before any work begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about deposits and retainers.
A deposit secures the client commitment and covers your early costs and time. It reduces the risk of doing work that goes unpaid and signals that the project is moving forward. Many freelancers will not start without one.
A common range is 25 to 50 percent of the project total, with 50 percent typical for larger or higher risk jobs. Pick an amount that covers your initial work and feels fair to the client. You can split larger projects into more milestones.
A deposit is an upfront payment applied to a single project total. A retainer is a recurring fee that reserves your time or covers ongoing work over a period. Both are paid before the work, but a retainer repeats.
That depends on the terms you set. Many deposits are non refundable once work starts, since they cover committed time. State your refund policy in writing in the contract or invoice so there is no dispute later.
Collect deposits and get paid upfront
Invoice My Clients lets you send deposit invoices and track the balance due so you are never chasing payment.
Now make the invoice, free and with no signup.
A professional PDF in about a minute. No account, no invoice limit.
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