Definition
Billable hours are the hours of work that can be charged to a client under the terms of an engagement, as opposed to non-billable time spent on administration, marketing, or internal tasks. They are invoiced as a quantity multiplied by the hourly rate, usually with a description of the work done.
Billable hours in practice
Track time as you work rather than reconstructing it later. Round consistently, state the rounding rule in your terms, and group hours by task or day on the invoice so the client can follow the work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I itemize every hour on an invoice?
Summarize hours by task or deliverable on the invoice and attach a detailed timesheet if the client wants it. Dozens of tiny lines make the invoice harder to approve.