Glossary
Redline
A redline is a proposed edit on a draft contract — words added, struck out or rewritten — not a signed change.
Last updated 26 October 2026
A redline is a mark on the draft. It shows what one side wants to change. Nothing is agreed until the other side accepts that mark, or both sides sign a later version that includes it. Treating a pack of redlines as “the new contract” is how people sign something they never read line by line.
On paper, redlines are often a second colour or strike-through. On Contracts.io they arrive on the same share link, and each change can be accepted, countered with replacement wording, or declined. Accepting a clause is not signing. Signing happens once, on one frozen version.
Reading redlines one by one is safer than accepting a pack. The edits that usually move money or risk are payment timing, late fees, revision limits and when ownership of the work transfers. Tidy-ups that only rename a party or fix a typo can wait until the money lines are settled.
A useful habit is to reply on the same paper. A new Word file in email creates two versions. Write counters as replacement sentences, not comments in the margin. “I invoice on delivery; payment is due 30 days from the invoice date” is a counter. “Can we discuss payment?” is not. If they emailed a PDF of their paper instead of editing yours, start from your own template and put their asks in as counters.
None of this is legal advice. A redline is a commercial question: can you live with this change on this job? If the deal is unusual or high-stakes, have a solicitor look at the marked paper. The redline guide on this site walks through payment, late fees, revision limits and IP transfer as the four edits freelancers see most.
A worked example
A client’s lawyer changes “Net 30” to “Net 60”. That is a redline — a proposal — until the freelancer accepts it or counters. The freelancer keeps Net 30 on the deposit and offers Net 45 on the balance, written as a replacement sentence on the same share link. They do not send a new Word file.
How it shows up in a contract
Sample wording · our own drafting
A proposed change is not part of this agreement until the other party accepts it in writing or both parties sign a version that includes it. Accepting a change is not a signature of the agreement.
In Plain English
A mark on the draft is a suggestion. It is not the deal until you accept that mark, or you both sign a version that has it in. Saying yes to one change is not signing the whole contract.
Common mistakes
- Accepting a pack of redlines as a whole without reading the money and IP lines.
- Treating “Accept” on a change as the signature of the contract.
- Sending a new file each time, so nobody can see what moved.
- Answering a redline with a feeling instead of a replacement sentence.
Related
The legal wording governsLast reviewed 26 October 2026Pending lawyer review