LLC Operating Agreement Template
Answer a few questions and download a multi-page operating agreement PDF with numbered sections, for a single-member or multi-member LLC. Free, no sign-up, generated entirely in your browser.
The PDF is generated locally with pdf-lib. No upload, no account, no watermark.
What this operating agreement covers
The generated document has ten numbered sections: Formation, Name and Principal Place of Business, Members and Ownership, Management, Capital Contributions, Distributions, Voting, Transfer Restrictions, Dissolution, and Signatures. The text adapts to your choices: a single-member LLC gets sole-member language and simplified voting, while a multi-member LLC gets a member table with ownership percentages, proportional distributions and majority voting rules. Choosing manager-managed swaps the management section to describe appointed managers and reserved member powers.
Single-member LLCs still benefit from a written agreement. It documents that the LLC is separate from you personally (which supports limited liability), records how profits are handled, and banks frequently ask for one when opening a business account. A few states, including California and New York, expect every LLC to have an operating agreement even with one owner.
Ownership percentages must add to 100. The form checks this before generating and shows the running total on the right. Capital contributions are recorded per member in dollars.
Section by section
| Section | What it records |
|---|---|
| 1. Formation | State of formation, effective date, registered agent |
| 2. Name & Principal Place | Legal name and main business address |
| 3. Members & Ownership | Member names and ownership percentages |
| 4. Management | Member-managed or manager-managed authority |
| 5. Capital Contributions | What each member contributed, and that no extra contributions are owed without consent |
| 6. Distributions | How and when profits are paid out |
| 7. Voting | Decision thresholds; sole authority for single-member LLCs |
| 8. Transfer Restrictions | Limits on selling membership interests |
| 9. Dissolution | How the LLC can be wound up |
| 10. Signatures | Signature block for every member |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an operating agreement for a single-member LLC?
Yes, it is still recommended. Even with one member, a written operating agreement helps show that the LLC is a separate legal entity (which supports liability protection), records how the business is run, and is often requested by banks when opening a business account. A few states effectively require a written agreement for every LLC, and most states default to generic statutory rules if you have none.
What is the difference between member-managed and manager-managed?
In a member-managed LLC, all owners (members) share authority to run the business day to day; this is the common choice for small LLCs. In a manager-managed LLC, the members appoint one or more managers (who may or may not be members) to run operations, while the other members act more like passive investors. The template generates different management and voting language for each choice.
Can I write my own LLC operating agreement?
You can, and many small businesses start with a template like this one. But an operating agreement is a legal contract: state LLC statutes differ, and choices about voting, buyouts and dissolution have real consequences. For anything beyond a simple single-member LLC, have a licensed attorney in your state review the document before you sign it.
Is my information uploaded anywhere?
No. The PDF is generated locally in your browser with pdf-lib. Member names, ownership percentages and contributions never leave your device.