This is a general-purpose template, not legal advice.
What is a freelance contract?
A freelance contract is a written agreement between a freelancer and a client that spells out the work, the price, and the payment terms before the project begins. It protects both sides — you get paid on the terms you agreed to, and the client knows exactly what they are getting. A clear contract is the single best defense against scope creep, late payment, and "can you just add one more thing" requests.
Most freelance contracts cover the same core pieces: who the parties are, what will be delivered, when it is due, how much it costs, and when payment is expected. From there, optional clauses handle the edge cases — who owns the final work, what happens if the client cancels, and what a late payment costs. For example, a designer on a $3,000 flat-fee project might require a 50% deposit up front, transfer full ownership only after final payment, and charge a 5% late fee on anything unpaid after 14 days.
The generator runs in your browser. If you use Copy link, the contract details are encoded into that URL so you can reopen the same draft later — only share it with people who should see the contract. When the deal is done, use our Invoice Generator to bill the same client, or lock down sensitive information first with our NDA Generator.
How to use this freelance contract generator
Choose your market. Pick the United States, United Kingdom, or Canada. The currency and governing law list adjust automatically — US states, England and Wales or Scotland, or Canadian provinces — so the contract fits your jurisdiction.
Add both parties. Enter the legal name, company, and address for the freelancer and the client. These identify who is bound by the agreement, so use full legal names rather than nicknames.
Describe the work. Write a clear scope of work — the deliverables, the start date, and the deadline. The more specific the scope, the easier it is to say no to unpaid extras later.
Set the payment terms. Choose a fixed fee or an hourly rate, enter the amount, and set when payment is due — on receipt, or within 7, 14, or 30 days. Add a deposit percentage if you want part of the fee up front.
Pick your clauses and download. Toggle optional clauses like IP ownership transfer, a late payment fee, or a revision limit — each one has a plain-English explanation. The live preview updates as you type. When it looks right, download your contract as a PDF and send it for signing.
This generator creates a template for general use — it is not legal advice. For high-value or complex projects, have a lawyer review the final document.