Purchase Order (PO)
Also known as: PO
A purchase order (PO) is the official document a buyer sends to a supplier to confirm the order of goods or services at agreed prices and terms.
A PO is a legally binding offer once accepted by the supplier. It states the items, quantities, agreed prices, delivery details and terms, and carries a unique number used to track the order through receipt, invoicing and payment. POs create a clear commitment and an audit trail.
In a mature process, a PO is generated from an approved requisition and later matched against the goods received note and the supplier's invoice — the three-way match — before payment. Blanket POs cover repeated deliveries over a period under a single order.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a purchase order?
- A purchase order is the official document a buyer issues to a supplier confirming an order — the items, quantities, prices, delivery and terms — and it becomes binding once the supplier accepts it.
- What is a PO number used for?
- The unique PO number links the order to its requisition, goods received note and invoice, so the purchase can be tracked and reconciled through to payment.
Related terms
Purchase Requisition (PR)
A purchase requisition (PR) is an internal request to buy something, submitted for approval before a purchase order is created.
Read definitionBlanket Purchase Order
A blanket purchase order is a single order that covers multiple deliveries of goods or services over a set period at agreed prices.
Read definitionThree-Way Matching
Three-way matching is a control that checks the purchase order, goods received note and supplier invoice agree before an invoice is paid.
Read definitionPlanned Purchase Order
A planned purchase order is a long-term agreement to buy goods with tentative quantities and delivery dates that are firmed up later through scheduled releases.
Read definitionGo deeper
Explore related across the knowledge graph
AI-first procurement software. Live marketplace. Human services.
Put procurement theory into practice
Walk through the AI-first procurement software on your own approval matrix, see the live marketplace behind it, and meet the sourcing team that works your RFQs and reverse bids.
Prefer to talk to a real person?
Our team replies fast on WhatsApp and email — no forms, no waiting.
Operating model · diagram
- 01
AI-first software
AI-first procurement software for long-tail spend
- 02
Live marketplace
A live B2B marketplace
- 03
Human services
Human sourcing and support
- 04
Optional add-on
Fulfilment support for merchants
