Templates

Overdue Invoice Email Subject Lines

Your subject line determines whether your invoice follow-up gets opened or ignored. With average email open rates hovering around 20%, the right subject line can mean the difference between getting paid this week or chasing payments for months. Below are 40 ready-to-use subject lines organized by escalation stage.

Polite Reminder Subject Lines 15 lines

1. Friendly Reminder: Invoice [Invoice Number] Due [Due Date]
2. Quick Check-In: Payment of [Amount] — Invoice [Invoice Number]
3. Just a Gentle Nudge — Invoice [Invoice Number]
4. Payment Reminder: [Amount] Due on [Due Date]
5. Following Up on Invoice [Invoice Number]
6. Friendly Reminder: Outstanding Balance of [Amount]
7. Invoice [Invoice Number] — Quick Payment Update?
8. Hi [Client Name], a Reminder About Invoice [Invoice Number]
9. Payment Update Request — [Amount] Due [Due Date]
10. Checking In: Invoice [Invoice Number] Payment Status
11. Gentle Reminder: Invoice [Invoice Number] Is Now Due
12. Quick Note About Your Outstanding Invoice
13. [Client Name] — Payment Reminder for [Amount]
14. A Friendly Follow-Up on Invoice [Invoice Number]
15. Just Following Up: [Amount] Payment Due [Due Date]

Firm Follow-Up Subject Lines 15 lines

1. Second Reminder: Invoice [Invoice Number] — [Amount] Overdue
2. Follow-Up: Outstanding Payment of [Amount]
3. Action Needed: Invoice [Invoice Number] Past Due
4. Payment Overdue: [Amount] — Invoice [Invoice Number]
5. Re: Invoice [Invoice Number] — Payment Now [X] Days Overdue
6. Important: Outstanding Balance of [Amount] Requires Attention
7. Second Notice: Payment of [Amount] Still Outstanding
8. Following Up Again — Invoice [Invoice Number] Overdue
9. Payment Status Update Needed — [Amount] Past Due
10. Re: Unpaid Invoice [Invoice Number] — Please Respond
11. Urgent Follow-Up: [Amount] Payment Overdue
12. Invoice [Invoice Number] — [X] Days Past Due Date
13. Your Attention Needed: Outstanding Invoice of [Amount]
14. Payment Request: Invoice [Invoice Number] Now Overdue
15. [Client Name] — Please Update on [Amount] Payment

Want this tailored to your situation?

Generate with AI →

Final Notice Subject Lines 10 lines

1. Final Reminder: Invoice [Invoice Number] — Immediate Attention Required
2. Urgent: [Amount] Payment Overdue — Final Notice
3. Last Follow-Up: Invoice [Invoice Number] Requires Your Attention
4. Final Notice: Outstanding Balance of [Amount]
5. [Client Name] — Final Payment Reminder for [Amount]
6. Immediate Action Required: Invoice [Invoice Number]
7. Final Follow-Up: [Amount] Still Unpaid
8. Critical: Invoice [Invoice Number] — Final Reminder
9. Last Reminder Before Next Steps — [Amount] Outstanding
10. Final Notice: Please Resolve Invoice [Invoice Number]

5 Tips for Invoice Follow-Up Subject Lines

1

Include the amount

Recipients scan for dollar amounts. Always include [Amount] so they know exactly what the email is about and can prioritize accordingly.

2

Reference the invoice number

Makes it easy for AP teams to find and process your invoice. A specific invoice number turns a generic reminder into an actionable item.

3

Keep it under 50 characters

Short subjects have higher open rates on mobile. Front-load the most important details so nothing critical gets truncated.

4

Match urgency to stage

Start friendly, escalate gradually. Don't use "URGENT" on a first reminder — save strong language for when it truly matters.

5

Avoid spam trigger words

Words like "warning" or "demand" can land your email in spam folders. Stick to professional, conversational language that passes email filters.

Generate Custom Subject Lines with AI

Stop guessing. Paste your invoice details and let PaidPolite generate the perfect subject line and email body in seconds.

Generate Your Email Now

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a good invoice follow-up subject line?
A good invoice follow-up subject line is specific, concise, and includes key details like the invoice number or amount owed. It should clearly communicate the purpose of the email while matching the urgency level to how overdue the payment is. Avoid vague subjects that could be mistaken for marketing emails or get lost in a busy inbox.
Should I include the amount in the subject line?
Yes. Including the dollar amount in the subject line significantly improves open rates because recipients can immediately identify what the email is about. Accounts payable teams often scan for amounts to prioritize their processing queue. A subject line with a specific amount is far more actionable than a generic payment reminder.
How do I avoid the spam folder with payment reminders?
Avoid spam trigger words like WARNING, DEMAND, ACT NOW, and excessive capitalization or exclamation marks. Use professional, conversational language instead. Ensure your email domain has proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records configured. Send from a consistent address and avoid sending too many follow-ups in rapid succession.
Should subject lines change between first and final reminder?
Absolutely. Your subject line should escalate in urgency as the payment becomes more overdue. Start with friendly language like "Gentle Reminder" or "Quick Check-In" for the first follow-up. Progress to "Action Needed" or "Second Notice" for middle reminders. Reserve "Final Notice" and "Immediate Attention Required" for the last attempts before escalation.
Is it okay to use "Urgent" in the subject line?
Use "Urgent" sparingly and only when the situation truly warrants it, such as a final notice when previous reminders have gone unanswered. Overusing the word diminishes its impact and can trigger spam filters. For early-stage reminders, friendlier language is more effective and better preserves the client relationship.
What's the ideal subject line length?
Aim for 40 to 50 characters. Most mobile email clients truncate subject lines beyond 50 characters, so keeping them short ensures recipients see the full message. Front-load the most important information — like the invoice number or amount — so it appears even if the rest gets cut off.