Project payment schedule calculator

Split a project fee across payment milestones, then compare the first payment with the costs you expect before the next one.

No accountRuns in your browserYour terms, your amounts

Plan your schedule

Use the amount and terms you intend to discuss with your client.

YOUR PAYMENT PLAN

LOCAL

Schedule and cash coverage

Illustration only. Receiving an invoice is not the same as cleared payment. Dates, refunds, tax and payment terms depend on the agreement and applicable rules.

METHOD & PRACTICAL USE

How to split a project fee into milestones

Enter the total amount to split and allocate 100% among the payment triggers you choose. The calculator converts each percentage to an amount and allocates any rounding cents so the displayed payments add up to the total. For example, a $5,000 project split 40%, 30% and 30% gives payments of $2,000, $1,500 and $1,500.

Check the first cash gap

If the first $2,000 payment is received before you must pay $2,500 in project costs, you would need $500 from another source before the next payment. This comparison covers only the costs you enter; it does not predict when a client will pay, include later expenses, or measure project profit.

Choose meaningful payment triggers

Milestones can be tied to booking, a production stage, a draft or final delivery. Agree on what completes each stage and when payment is due. Describe refundable and cancellation terms clearly; labels such as “deposit” can have different legal effects depending on the agreement and location.

What about taxes and processing fees?

This is an allocation of one entered total. It does not calculate sales tax, VAT, income tax, transaction fees or changes to the scope. Decide with your adviser how these affect your own invoices and the amount to split. It is not a contract or legal advice.

For an estimate before choosing payment milestones, use the video production budget calculator. After completing a job, compare your actual time and costs with the project hourly rate calculator.

See also Stripe’s guide to invoicing for freelance film work for examples of payment stages. The right terms depend on your project and agreement.