How do I create a GST invoice for free?

Use the free invoice generator at mybillplease.com/tools/invoice-generator. No signup or credit card needed. Enter your business details, customer details, add items with HSN codes and GST rates, and download a professional PDF invoice. For ongoing billing, sign up for myBillPlease at mybillplease.com/signup — the free plan includes unlimited invoices, automatic tax calculation, 7 PDF templates, and auto-generated GSTR reports. Both options create GST-compliant invoices with all 16 mandatory fields.

What are the mandatory fields in a GST invoice?

A GST invoice must contain 16 mandatory fields as per Rule 46 of the CGST Rules. These are: supplier name, address, and GSTIN; unique sequential invoice number (max 16 characters); invoice date; recipient name, address, and GSTIN (for B2B); HSN or SAC code for each item; description of goods or services; quantity and unit; taxable value; applicable GST rate; tax amount split as CGST plus SGST or IGST; place of supply; reverse charge indication if applicable; and supplier signature. Missing any field makes the invoice non-compliant and blocks the buyer's input tax credit claim.

How do I calculate GST on an invoice?

GST calculation is straightforward. Take the taxable value of each item (unit price multiplied by quantity, minus any discount). Multiply by the applicable GST rate. For intra-state sales, split the GST equally into CGST and SGST. For inter-state sales, the full amount is IGST. Example: Item value Rs 10,000 at 18% GST. Intra-state: CGST 9% equals Rs 900 plus SGST 9% equals Rs 900. Inter-state: IGST 18% equals Rs 1,800. Total invoice in both cases is Rs 11,800. Use our free GST calculator at mybillplease.com/tools/gst-calculator to verify any calculation.

How do I know whether to charge CGST+SGST or IGST?

Compare your state code (first 2 digits of your GSTIN) with the customer's state code. If both are the same, it is an intra-state supply — charge CGST plus SGST split equally. If different, it is an inter-state supply — charge IGST at the full rate. For B2C sales where the customer has no GSTIN, use the delivery address state for comparison. myBillPlease determines this automatically from the GSTIN state codes — you never need to calculate manually. Read our complete guide on CGST vs SGST vs IGST at mybillplease.com/blog/cgst-sgst-igst-difference.

How do I find the HSN code for my products?

Use the free HSN code directory at mybillplease.com/hsn which lists all 97 chapters with 22,000 plus codes searchable by product name or code number. Alternatively, use the HSN code finder tool at mybillplease.com/tools/hsn-code for quick search. Common examples: 6109 for T-shirts, 8471 for computers, 3304 for cosmetics, 9403 for furniture. Service providers use SAC codes instead — search the same tools for service classifications. In myBillPlease, assign HSN codes to products once in your catalog and they auto-populate on every future invoice.

Can I create a GST invoice from my phone?

Yes. myBillPlease works on any device through the browser — phone, tablet, or laptop. There is no app to install. Open mybillplease.com on your phone browser, log in, and create invoices with the same functionality as desktop. The responsive design adapts to your screen size. The free invoice generator tool at mybillplease.com/tools/invoice-generator also works on mobile browsers for quick one-off invoices. Both generate professional PDF invoices that you can share directly via WhatsApp or email from your phone.

How many invoices can I create on the free plan?

The myBillPlease free plan has no invoice limit. You can create unlimited invoices, for unlimited customers, with no trial period and no credit card requirement. The free plan includes all 8 document types (tax invoices, proforma invoices, quotations, credit notes, debit notes, delivery challans, purchase invoices, and purchase orders), inventory management with HSN codes, and basic GST reports. Premium features like Shopify integration, advanced GSTR reports, Razorpay payment links, and multi-user access are available in the Starter plan at Rs 799 per month.

Invoicing & Formats

How to Create a GST Invoice: Step by Step Tutorial 2026

Learn how to create a GST-compliant invoice from scratch — with correct GSTIN, HSN codes, tax calculation, and all 16 mandatory fields. Includes a free invoice generator tool.

Amresh Kumar25 March 2026 · 5 min read · updated 6 September 2026

Close-up of a woman using a calculator and phone at her office desk.

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Key takeaways

A compliant GST invoice needs all 16 Rule 46 fields; a missing field blocks the buyer's ITC and risks a Rs 10,000 penalty.
Compare the first two digits of both GSTINs: same state means CGST plus SGST, different state means IGST.
Invoice numbers must run in sequence with no gaps, and backdating is illegal; goods invoices go out before dispatch.
Every item needs an HSN or SAC code (4 digits up to Rs 5 crore, 6 above); missing codes cost Rs 50 per invoice.

Why This Tutorial Matters

Creating a GST invoice correctly is the foundation of GST compliance. A wrong invoice blocks your customer's input tax credit, creates mismatches in GSTR-1 filing, and can trigger penalties of Rs 10,000 or the tax amount — whichever is higher. Yet many small businesses still create invoices with missing fields, wrong HSN codes, or incorrect tax splits.

This tutorial walks you through creating a perfect GST invoice in 5 minutes — either using our free invoice generator (no signup needed) or using myBillPlease billing software (free plan with unlimited invoices). By the end, you will know every mandatory field, common mistakes to avoid, and how to automate the process.

Before You Start: What You Need

Gather these details before creating your first invoice

Your business GSTIN — 15-digit GST registration number (get it from gst.gov.in if not registered yet)
Your business name, address, and state code (first 2 digits of GSTIN)
Customer's name and address — for B2B, also their GSTIN
HSN code or SAC code for each product/service — use our HSN code finder at mybillplease.com/hsn
Applicable GST rate for each item — 5%, 18%, or 40% under GST 2.0 (use mybillplease.com/tools/gst-calculator)
Your bank account details — for payment collection
Previous invoice number — your new invoice must be the next in sequence

Step by Step: Create Your GST Invoice

Start with the free invoice generator for a quick one-off invoice (no signup needed), or sign up for myBillPlease (free) for ongoing billing with saved customers and products. Then work through these steps:

Creating a GST invoice

Enter your business details: name, address, state, GSTIN, phone and email (the Bill From section).
Enter the customer's name and address; for B2B the customer GSTIN is mandatory and sets the tax type.
Set a sequential invoice number (INV-042 is followed by INV-043, no gaps) and the invoice date.
Add line items: description, HSN/SAC code, quantity, unit price, discount if any, and GST rate.
Verify the tax split: CGST+SGST for same-state customers, IGST for other states, at current GST 2.0 rates.
Add bank account number, IFSC code, bank name, payment terms and any terms and conditions.
Review all 16 mandatory fields, including place of supply and signature, before finalising.
Download the PDF or share by email, WhatsApp or web link, and keep a copy for at least 6 years.

For goods, the invoice must be issued before or at the time the goods leave your premises. The customer's GSTIN tells the system which state they are in, which determines CGST+SGST vs IGST; for B2C invoices the delivery state is needed for inter-state sales. Look up HSN/SAC codes in the directory and confirm each rate against the current GST 2.0 rates: 5% (essential goods), 18% (standard), 40% (luxury). See our complete format guide for field-by-field details. In myBillPlease, business details, numbering and bank details are saved and auto-filled, and you can add a Razorpay payment link so the customer pays online in one click. Once issued, the invoice is a legal GST document: it will appear in your GSTR-1 when you file monthly returns, and your customer can claim ITC on it (for B2B).

Pro Tips for Better GST Invoices

Use a Professional Template

First impressions matter. Choose from 7 PDF templates in myBillPlease — clean, professional designs with your logo, colours, and branding. Better than generic Excel invoices.

Save Products in Catalog

If you sell the same items repeatedly, save them in your product catalog with HSN codes and GST rates. Adding them to future invoices takes 2 seconds instead of 2 minutes.

Automate Customer Auto-Fill

Save customer details including GSTIN, address, and payment terms. Next time you invoice them, select the customer and everything fills automatically. Zero retyping.

Use Correct HSN Digits

4-digit HSN for turnover up to Rs 5 crore, 6-digit for above. Wrong digit count attracts Rs 50 penalty per invoice. Check at mybillplease.com/hsn before invoicing.

Add Payment Link

Embed a Razorpay payment link in the invoice so customers pay online instantly. Reduces payment collection time from weeks to minutes. Available on myBillPlease Starter plan.

Track Payment Status

After sharing the invoice, track whether the customer has paid. myBillPlease shows outstanding, partially paid, and fully paid invoices. Send payment reminders with one click.

5 Common Invoice Creation Mistakes

Mistake 1: Wrong GSTIN. Typing errors in your or the customer's GSTIN cause ITC mismatch. Always copy-paste GSTINs rather than typing manually. myBillPlease validates GSTIN format automatically.

Mistake 2: Missing HSN code. Every item needs an HSN code. Skipping it attracts a penalty of Rs 50 per invoice (max Rs 25,000/year). Even service providers need SAC codes.

Mistake 3: Wrong tax type. Charging IGST when it should be CGST+SGST (or vice versa) requires complicated corrections. Let software determine the tax type from GSTIN state codes — never guess manually.

Mistake 4: Non-sequential invoice numbers. Gaps in invoice numbers (INV-041, INV-043 — where is 042?) are a GST compliance red flag. Use billing software with auto-numbering to prevent this.

Mistake 5: Backdated invoices. Creating invoices with past dates is illegal under GST. For goods, the invoice date must be on or before the date of removal. For services, within 30 days of service completion. If you are running behind, issue the invoice now with today's date.

Create Your First GST Invoice — Right Now, Free

Option 1: Quick one-off invoice. Our free invoice generator creates a professional GST invoice in 2 minutes. No signup. Fill in details, download PDF. Perfect for your first invoice or one-time billing.

Option 2: Ongoing billing with automation. Sign up for myBillPlease (free forever plan). Save customers, products, and bank details once. Create invoices in 30 seconds every time. Auto-numbering, auto-tax-calculation, auto-GSTR reports. Choose from 7 professional PDF templates. Share via email or WhatsApp.

Both options ensure all 16 mandatory GST fields are included, tax is calculated correctly based on state codes, and the output is a professional PDF ready to share with customers.

Frequently asked questions

How do I create a GST invoice for free?: Use the free invoice generator at mybillplease.com/tools/invoice-generator. No signup or credit card needed. Enter your business details, customer details, add items with HSN codes and GST rates, and download a professional PDF invoice. For ongoing billing, sign up for myBillPlease at mybillplease.com/signup — the free plan includes unlimited invoices, automatic tax calculation, 7 PDF templates, and auto-generated GSTR reports. Both options create GST-compliant invoices with all 16 mandatory fields.
What are the mandatory fields in a GST invoice?: A GST invoice must contain 16 mandatory fields as per Rule 46 of the CGST Rules. These are: supplier name, address, and GSTIN; unique sequential invoice number (max 16 characters); invoice date; recipient name, address, and GSTIN (for B2B); HSN or SAC code for each item; description of goods or services; quantity and unit; taxable value; applicable GST rate; tax amount split as CGST plus SGST or IGST; place of supply; reverse charge indication if applicable; and supplier signature. Missing any field makes the invoice non-compliant and blocks the buyer's input tax credit claim.
How do I calculate GST on an invoice?: GST calculation is straightforward. Take the taxable value of each item (unit price multiplied by quantity, minus any discount). Multiply by the applicable GST rate. For intra-state sales, split the GST equally into CGST and SGST. For inter-state sales, the full amount is IGST. Example: Item value Rs 10,000 at 18% GST. Intra-state: CGST 9% equals Rs 900 plus SGST 9% equals Rs 900. Inter-state: IGST 18% equals Rs 1,800. Total invoice in both cases is Rs 11,800. Use our free GST calculator at mybillplease.com/tools/gst-calculator to verify any calculation.
How do I know whether to charge CGST+SGST or IGST?: Compare your state code (first 2 digits of your GSTIN) with the customer's state code. If both are the same, it is an intra-state supply — charge CGST plus SGST split equally. If different, it is an inter-state supply — charge IGST at the full rate. For B2C sales where the customer has no GSTIN, use the delivery address state for comparison. myBillPlease determines this automatically from the GSTIN state codes — you never need to calculate manually. Read our complete guide on CGST vs SGST vs IGST at mybillplease.com/blog/cgst-sgst-igst-difference.
How do I find the HSN code for my products?: Use the free HSN code directory at mybillplease.com/hsn which lists all 97 chapters with 22,000 plus codes searchable by product name or code number. Alternatively, use the HSN code finder tool at mybillplease.com/tools/hsn-code for quick search. Common examples: 6109 for T-shirts, 8471 for computers, 3304 for cosmetics, 9403 for furniture. Service providers use SAC codes instead — search the same tools for service classifications. In myBillPlease, assign HSN codes to products once in your catalog and they auto-populate on every future invoice.
Can I create a GST invoice from my phone?: Yes. myBillPlease works on any device through the browser — phone, tablet, or laptop. There is no app to install. Open mybillplease.com on your phone browser, log in, and create invoices with the same functionality as desktop. The responsive design adapts to your screen size. The free invoice generator tool at mybillplease.com/tools/invoice-generator also works on mobile browsers for quick one-off invoices. Both generate professional PDF invoices that you can share directly via WhatsApp or email from your phone.
How many invoices can I create on the free plan?: The myBillPlease free plan has no invoice limit. You can create unlimited invoices, for unlimited customers, with no trial period and no credit card requirement. The free plan includes all 8 document types (tax invoices, proforma invoices, quotations, credit notes, debit notes, delivery challans, purchase invoices, and purchase orders), inventory management with HSN codes, and basic GST reports. Premium features like Shopify integration, advanced GSTR reports, Razorpay payment links, and multi-user access are available in the Starter plan at Rs 799 per month.