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How to create and send invoices on Stripe

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18
Quick Answer

Create invoices on Stripe by navigating to the Invoices section in your dashboard, adding customer details and line items, then clicking send. Stripe handles delivery and payment processing automatically.

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Prerequisites

  • Active Stripe account
  • Customer information added to Stripe
  • Products or services defined in your catalog
  • Valid business information in account settings

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Navigate to the Invoices section

Log into your Stripe Dashboard and click on Invoices in the left sidebar menu. Then click the Create invoice button in the top right corner to start creating a new invoice.
You can also access invoices through the main dashboard by scrolling down to the 'Recent activity' section.
2

Select or add a customer

In the Customer field, start typing to search for an existing customer or click Add new customer. If adding a new customer, enter their email address, name, and billing information. The email address is required for invoice delivery.
Save time by importing customer data in bulk through the Customers section before creating invoices.
3

Add invoice line items

Click Add item to add products or services to your invoice. You can:
  • Select from existing products in your catalog
  • Create a custom line item with description, quantity, and price
  • Apply discounts or tax rates as needed
Add multiple line items by clicking Add item again.
Use detailed descriptions for custom line items to help customers understand what they're paying for.
4

Configure invoice settings

Set the invoice details including:
  • Due date - when payment is expected
  • Invoice number - auto-generated or custom
  • Memo - additional notes for the customer
  • Footer - terms and conditions or thank you message
Set a reasonable due date - typically 15-30 days from the invoice date for better customer relationships.
5

Review payment and delivery options

In the Collection method section, choose how customers can pay:
  • Send invoice - email with payment link
  • Charge automatically - if customer has saved payment method
Ensure the customer's email is correct for invoice delivery.
Automatic charging works best for recurring customers who have agreed to automatic payments.
6

Preview and finalize the invoice

Click Preview invoice to see how it will appear to your customer. Review all details including customer information, line items, totals, and payment terms. Make any necessary corrections before proceeding.
Check that your business logo and information appear correctly in the preview - update these in account settings if needed.
7

Send the invoice

Once you're satisfied with the preview, click Send invoice. Stripe will immediately email the invoice to your customer with a secure payment link. You'll see a confirmation message and the invoice status will update to Open.
The invoice email includes your branding and a 'Pay Invoice' button that takes customers to a secure Stripe payment page.
8

Track invoice status and payments

Monitor your invoice in the Invoices dashboard where you can see statuses like Open, Paid, or Overdue. Click on any invoice to view details, send reminders, or download a PDF copy. Stripe automatically sends payment confirmation emails when invoices are paid.
Set up automatic payment reminders in your account settings to reduce manual follow-up work.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Customer didn't receive the invoice email

Check that the email address is correct and ask the customer to check their spam folder. You can resend the invoice from the invoice details page by clicking Send invoice again.

Invoice shows wrong tax amount or currency

Verify your Tax settings in the dashboard and ensure the customer's billing address is correct. Edit the invoice before sending if the currency doesn't match your account's default currency settings.

Cannot edit invoice after sending

Sent invoices cannot be edited directly. You can Void the original invoice and create a new corrected version, or create a Credit note for adjustments to paid invoices.

Payment fails when customer tries to pay

Common causes include expired cards, insufficient funds, or international card restrictions. The customer will see the specific error message. You can update payment methods in the Customer section or send a new invoice.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official Stripe website before purchasing.
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