Free Receipt Maker
Record a payment you received and give your customer a clear PDF or printed receipt in about a minute.
When to give a receipt
A receipt is proof that a payment happened. It is issued after you have been paid, and it should describe a real transaction: the goods or services you provided and the money you actually received.
Common situations where a written receipt helps both sides:
- A customer pays cash for a service, such as lawn care, tutoring or a repair.
- A client pays by check or a payment app like Zelle or Venmo and wants a record that ties the payment to the work.
- You take a deposit before starting a job.
- A customer asks for a receipt for their own expense records or reimbursement.
If the customer has not paid yet, you need an invoice, not a receipt. The article on invoice vs receipt explains the difference, and you can create a bill with the invoice generator.
How to make a receipt
- Enter your business details and upload your logo. Click “Save as template” to reuse them.
- Add the customer (buyer) name and, if useful, their contact details.
- Check the receipt number and date. The number fills in automatically as RCT-0001, RCT-0002 and so on. The date should be the date you received payment.
- List what was paid for. One line per item or service, with quantity and price.
- Apply tax and any discount. The discount is applied before tax, and tax only applies to lines marked taxable.
- Choose the payment method: cash, card, check, Zelle, Venmo or other.
- Add a reference in the notes if it helps, such as the check number or the last four digits of a card.
- Download the PDF or print it.
What a receipt should include
- Seller: your business name and contact details.
- Buyer: who paid.
- Date of payment.
- Receipt number: a unique number for each receipt.
- Items: what was paid for, with quantities and prices.
- Tax: shown separately when sales tax applies.
- Total paid.
- Payment method: and a reference if useful. For cards, show only the last four digits. Never write a full card number, security code or bank account number on a receipt.
Amount in words
The receipt maker writes the total out in words under the figure, for example “Eighty-eight and 91/100 dollars”. This mirrors how checks are written and makes the amount harder to misread or change by hand.
Worked example: landscaping payment by check
A landscaper finishes a job and is paid by check:
- Lawn mowing: 1 × $45.00 = $45.00 (not taxable in this example)
- Hedge trimming: 1 × $30.00 = $30.00 (not taxable in this example)
- Bags of mulch: 2 × $6.50 = $13.00 (taxable)
- Subtotal: $88.00
- Tax (example rate of 7% on the $13.00 taxable line): $0.91
- Total paid: $88.91
- In words: Eighty-eight and 91/100 dollars
- Payment method: Check, with the check number in the notes
Whether a product or service is taxable depends on your state and locality. Check with your state revenue agency or a tax professional before choosing a rate or marking lines as taxable.
Sending and printing receipts
- In person: use the Print button and hand the customer a paper copy.
- By email or text: download the PDF and attach it to your message.
- Both: some customers like a printed copy now and a PDF for their files.
Pick Letter or A4 paper and one of three designs: Classic, Modern or Compact. Compact works well for short receipts with only a few lines.
Keep a copy for yourself
The receipt maker runs in your browser and does not store your receipts on a server. Drafts and numbering are saved locally, but clearing browser data removes them. Save every PDF you issue to a folder you back up, and keep it alongside your sales records. How you organize records for your bookkeeping is up to you and your tax professional.
If you prefer a printable form to fill in by hand, see the receipt template. For how your data is handled, see the privacy page.
Frequently asked questions
When should I give a customer a receipt?
Give one whenever you receive a payment, especially for cash, check or app payments where the customer has no other record. It confirms what was paid, when and how.
Should I put the full card number on a receipt?
No. Show only the last four digits of a card, if anything. The full number and security code should never appear on a receipt.
Why does the receipt show the amount in words?
Writing the total in words, like on a check, makes the amount harder to misread or alter. The tool fills it in automatically from the total.
How are receipt numbers assigned?
Receipts are numbered RCT-0001, RCT-0002 and so on, and the last number is remembered in your browser. You can edit the number if you continue an existing sequence.
Can I make a receipt for a partial payment?
Yes. Enter the amount actually received and use the notes to explain what it was for, such as a deposit toward a larger job, and what balance remains.
Legit50 provides free document tools for general business use. They are not legal, tax or accounting advice, and you are responsible for the accuracy of the documents you create. Sales tax rules vary by state and locality. Learn more.