Free Credit Note Generator
A credit note (credit memo) is issued after an invoice to reduce or cancel it — a wrong amount, a returned item, a discount agreed after sending. It never deletes the original invoice: it references its number and states the correction, keeping your numbering gap-free for the tax authority.
Quick answer: A credit note cancels or reduces an already-sent invoice: it references the original invoice number, lists the credited items with negative effect and states the reason. Issue it instead of deleting an invoice — numbering stays gap-free.
Core facts
| Purpose | Correct / cancel a sent invoice |
|---|---|
| Key field | Original invoice number + reason |
| Numbering | Own CN- sequence, never reuse |
| Cost | Free, print or save as PDF |
Draft auto-saves in this browser (never uploaded).
Your Company
CREDIT NOTE
No. CN-2026-001
Issued: 2026-10-09
Original invoice: 2026-001
Bill to
Client name
| Description | Qty | Price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.00 |
Subtotal$0.00
Total credit$0.00
Reason & notes
Goods returned / invoiced in error — credit against invoice 2026-001
What is this tool for?
- Correcting an invoice with a wrong amount or quantity
- Crediting returned or rejected goods
- Applying a discount agreed after the invoice was sent
- Cancelling an invoice entirely without breaking the number sequence
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a credit note and a refund?
A credit note is an accounting document that reduces an outstanding invoice; a refund is money returned. Often a refund is paid and a credit note records it against the original invoice.
Do credit notes need a number?
Yes — give them their own sequence (CN-2026-001) separate from invoices. Tax authorities expect both sequences gap-free; never reuse or delete a credit note.
Can I credit part of an invoice?
Yes. List only the lines or partial quantities you are crediting — the credit note total is the amount subtracted from the original invoice.