What Is a Line Item on an Invoice?

A line item is a single row on an invoice or quote. Each one describes one product or service and shows its quantity, unit rate and amount (quantity times rate). Together, the line items add up to the subtotal before tax and discounts.

Clear line items cut the questions that hold up payment. A client who sees "Website work: $4,000" will often ask questions before paying. A client who sees discovery, design, development and testing as separate lines, each with hours and a rate, can approve the invoice in one read. Tradespeople use line items to separate labor from materials, which matters when only some lines are taxable.

A good line item has a specific description, a unit that makes sense for the work (hours, days, square feet, each), the rate and the amount. Add a date or job reference when the client needs to match the line to a purchase order.

In SolidInvoice, each line item can carry its own tax rate and discount, so taxable and non-taxable work can sit on the same invoice.