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Free Credit Note Template

A credit note (or credit memo) reduces the amount a customer owes against a previously issued invoice. It is used for returns, overcharges, or corrections — and it keeps your books accurate without deleting the original invoice. This credit note template references the original invoice and records the credited amount.

Create a credit note free

Opens the live generator. No account required, download PDF instantly.

When to use a credit note

  • A customer returns goods after being invoiced
  • You overcharged on an invoice and need to correct it
  • You agreed a discount after the invoice was sent
  • You need to cancel part of an invoice without voiding it

What to include on a credit note

  • The label "Credit Note" and a unique credit note number
  • The date issued and the original invoice number
  • Your details and the customer's details
  • The items being credited with amounts
  • The reason for the credit
  • The total credited (shown as a reduction)

How to make a credit note in Invio

Set the document title to "Credit Note", reference the original invoice number in the notes, and list the credited line items with the reason for the credit.

Frequently asked questions

What is a credit note?

A credit note reduces what a customer owes on a previously issued invoice — used for returns, overcharges, or agreed corrections — without deleting the original invoice.

Why not just edit the original invoice?

Editing an issued invoice breaks your audit trail. A credit note documents the adjustment as a separate record, keeping both the original and the correction on file.

Does a credit note always mean a refund?

Not necessarily. It can refund money, or it can reduce the balance owed on an open invoice, or be applied against a future invoice as a credit.