Terms and conditions template

Terms and conditions are a contract between you and your users, so no single official source dictates their wording. This free static sample covers the core clauses most small apps and websites need. Copy it as plain text and replace every [[FIELD]].

Before you copy it

• Remove any clause that does not fit your product, and add what is missing (for example a marketplace, user-to-user content or a free trial).
• Consumer law in many places limits what a clause can take away from consumers whatever your terms say; see Consumer protection on Wikipedia for an overview. It differs by country.
• Make what the terms say about data agree with your privacy policy, and what they say about refunds agree with your refund policy and your payment platform.

Sample core clauses

Terms and Conditions for [[PRODUCT_NAME]]

Last updated: [[DATE]]

1. Agreement

These terms are a contract between you and [[LEGAL_NAME]] ("we", "us") about your use of [[PRODUCT_NAME]] at [[URL]]. By creating an account or using it, you agree to them. If you do not agree, do not use it.

2. Accounts

You must be at least [[MINIMUM_AGE]] and able to form a binding contract. Give accurate information, keep your password secure, and tell us at [[CONTACT_EMAIL]] if you think your account has been used without permission. You are responsible for activity under your account.

3. Acceptable use

You will not: break the law using [[PRODUCT_NAME]]; attempt to access other people's accounts or data; interfere with or overload the service; copy, resell or reverse engineer it except where the law allows; or upload content you do not have the right to use. [[ADDITIONAL_RESTRICTIONS]]

4. Payment

[[PAYMENT_TERMS, or write "Not applicable: the service is free."]] Refunds are covered in [[REFUND_POLICY_URL]].

5. Intellectual property

We and our licensors own [[PRODUCT_NAME]] and its content, except content you provide. We give you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use it for [[PERMITTED_USE]]. You keep ownership of your content and give us a limited licence to host and process it only to run the service for you.

6. Privacy

How we handle personal data is described in our privacy policy at [[PRIVACY_POLICY_URL]].

7. Availability and changes

We aim to keep [[PRODUCT_NAME]] available but do not promise it will always be uninterrupted or error free. We may change or discontinue features. If we change these terms in a material way we will tell you by [[NOTICE_METHOD]] at least [[NOTICE_DAYS]] days before the change applies.

8. Termination

You can stop using [[PRODUCT_NAME]] at any time [[HOW_TO_CLOSE_ACCOUNT]]. We may suspend or end your access if you breach these terms, or for [[OTHER_TERMINATION_REASONS]]. Sections that by their nature should continue (intellectual property, liability, governing law) survive termination.

9. Disclaimer

To the extent the law allows, [[PRODUCT_NAME]] is provided "as is" and "as available", without warranties of any kind beyond those the law does not allow us to exclude.

10. Limit of liability

To the extent the law allows, our total liability to you for all claims about [[PRODUCT_NAME]] is limited to [[LIABILITY_CAP]]. We are not liable for indirect or consequential loss such as lost profits or data. This does not limit liability that cannot be limited by law, such as for fraud or for death or personal injury caused by negligence.

11. Governing law and disputes

These terms are governed by the laws of [[GOVERNING_LAW]]. Disputes will be handled by [[DISPUTE_VENUE]]. If you are a consumer, you may also have the right to bring a claim in the courts of the place where you live.

12. Contact

Questions about these terms: [[CONTACT_EMAIL]].

Going further for SaaS

If you sell a subscription, the SaaS terms of service template has fuller payment, renewal and cancellation wording. Related pages: privacy policy template, refund policy template and cookie notice template.

The full editable pack (7 templates in Markdown, PDF and HTML) is being prepared.