English
EspañolCash Advance and Payday Loan Rules by State
What a short-term loan may cost you is set by the state you live in, not by the lender you find first. Some states cap the fee, some cap the rate, and a few do not allow the product at all.
Pick your state for the law with its statute, the maximum amount and fee, a worked example of what a small advance costs there, the regulator's phone number and the cities we cover.
Every State at a Glance
Legal means a payday-style loan is allowed with a fee cap, restricted means it exists only in a limited form, prohibited means a rate cap or ban keeps payday lenders out. Pick a state for the statute, the limits and the worked example.
| State | Status | Max amount | $300 for 14 days$300 fee |
|---|---|---|---|
 Alabama |
Legal under the Deferred Presentment Services ActLegal | $500 outstanding$500 | $52.50 fee, 456% APR$52.50 |
 Alaska |
Legal, $500 cap, $5 plus 15% feeLegal | $500 outstanding$500 | $50 fee, 435% APR$50 |
 Arizona |
Prohibited since 2010; 36% consumer loan capProhibited | No payday loansNone | $4.14 fee, 36% APR$4.14 |
 Arkansas |
Prohibited; 17% constitutional capProhibited | No payday loansNone | $1.96 fee, 17% APR$1.96 |
 California |
Legal, capped at $300 and a 15% feeLegal | $300 check face value$300 | $45 fee, 460% APR$45 |
 Colorado |
Capped at 36% APR since February 2019Restricted | $500$500 | $4.14 fee, 36% APR$4.14 |
 Connecticut |
Prohibited, 36% small loan capProhibited | No payday loansNone | $4.14 fee, 36% APR$4.14 |
 Delaware |
Legal, no rate cap, five loans a yearLegal | $1,000$1,000 | $45 fee, 391% APR$45 |
 District of Columbia |
Prohibited; 24% APR cap on loansProhibited | No payday loansNone | $2.76 fee, 24% APR$2.76 |
 Florida |
Legal, capped at $500 and 10%Legal | $500 outstanding$500 | $35 fee, 304% APR$35 |
 Georgia |
Prohibited; licensed installment loans onlyProhibited | No payday loansNone | $28.25 fee, 246% APR$28.25 |
 Hawaii |
Payday repealed in 2022; 36% installment loans onlyRestricted | $1,500 outstanding$1,500 | $73.57 fee, 149% APR$73.57 |
 Idaho |
Legal, $1,000 cap, no fee limitLegal | $1,000 or 25% of income$1,000 | $57.12 fee, 496% APR$57.12 |
 Illinois |
Capped at 36% APR since March 2021Restricted | $1,000 or 25% of income$1,000 | $4.14 fee, 36% APR$4.14 |
 Indiana |
Legal, licensed small loans up to $825Legal | $825 outstanding$825 | $44 fee, 382% APR$44 |
 Iowa |
Legal, $500 cap, 31-day termLegal | $500 outstanding$500 | $35 fee, 304% APR$35 |
 Kansas |
Legal, $500 cap, 15 percent feeLegal | $500 per loan$500 | $45 fee, 391% APR$45 |
 Kentucky |
Legal, $15 per $100, 14 to 60 daysLegal | $500$500 | $48 fee, 417% APR$48 |
 Louisiana |
Legal, up to $700, fee cap removed in 2025Legal | $700$700 | $70 fee, 608% APR$70 |
 Maine |
Restricted; supervised lenders, capped feesRestricted | No capNo cap | $25 fee, 217% APR$25 |
 Maryland |
No payday loans; 33% rate capProhibited | No payday loansNone | $3.80 fee, 33% APR$3.80 |
 Massachusetts |
Prohibited, 23% small loan capProhibited | No payday loansNone | $22.65 fee, 197% APR$22.65 |
 Michigan |
Legal, up to $600 for 31 daysLegal | $600 per loan$600 | $42 fee, 365% APR$42 |
 Minnesota |
Capped at 50% APR since January 2024Restricted | $350 outstanding$350 | $5.75 fee, 50% APR$5.75 |
 Mississippi |
Legal under the Check Cashers ActLegal | $500 check face value$500 | $65.85 fee, 267% APR$65.85 |
 Missouri |
Legal, $500 cap, up to six renewalsLegal | $500 outstanding$500 | $42 fee, 365% APR$42 |
 Montana |
Capped at 36% APR, no licensed lendersRestricted | $300$300 | $4.14 fee, 36% APR$4.14 |
 Nebraska |
Capped at 36% APR by voters in 2020Restricted | $500 outstanding$500 | $4.14 fee, 36% APR$4.14 |
 Nevada |
Legal, no rate cap, 35-day termLegal | No capNo cap | $45 fee, 391% APR$45 |
 New Hampshire |
Capped at 36% APR since 2009Restricted | $500 outstanding$500 | $4.14 fee, 36% APR$4.14 |
 New Jersey |
Prohibited; 30% criminal usury ceilingProhibited | No payday loansNone | $3.45 fee, 30% APR$3.45 |
 New Mexico |
Prohibited; 36% cap on small loans since 2023Prohibited | No payday loansNone | $37.83 fee, 38% APR$37.83 |
 New York |
Prohibited; 16% civil and 25% criminal usury capsProhibited | No payday loansNone | $2.88 fee, 25% APR$2.88 |
 North Carolina |
Prohibited since 2001; 33% small-loan capProhibited | No payday loansNone | $3.80 fee, 33% APR$3.80 |
 North Dakota |
Legal, 20% fee, $600 limit, 60 daysLegal | $500 outstanding$500 | $60 fee, 521% APR$60 |
 Ohio |
Legal with 28% interest plus capped feesRestricted | $1,000 outstanding$1,000 | $110.94 fee, 148% APR$110.94 |
 Oklahoma |
Payday repealed 2020; small loans at 17% monthlyRestricted | $1,500 outstanding$1,500 | $78.50 fee, 159% APR$78.50 |
 Oregon |
Legal, 36% rate cap plus origination feeRestricted | No capNo cap | $39.17 fee, 154% APR$39.17 |
 Pennsylvania |
Prohibited by the 6% usury capProhibited | No payday loansNone | $0.69 fee, 6% APR$0.69 |
 Rhode Island |
Legal until January 1, 2027, then cappedLegal | $500 outstanding$500 | $30 fee, 261% APR$30 |
 South Carolina |
Legal, up to $550 at 15%Legal | $550 outstanding$550 | $45 fee, 391% APR$45 |
 South Dakota |
Legal, capped at 36% all-in APRRestricted | $500 outstanding$500 | $4.14 fee, 36% APR$4.14 |
 Tennessee |
Legal under the Deferred Presentment Services ActLegal | $500 outstanding$500 | $52.94 fee, 460% APR$52.94 |
 Texas |
Legal through credit access businesses, fees uncappedLegal | No capNo cap | $69 fee, 600% APR$69 |
 Utah |
Legal, no rate cap, 10-week limitLegal | No capNo cap | $45 fee, 391% APR$45 |
 Vermont |
Prohibited; 18% cap on single-payment loansProhibited | No payday loansNone | $2.07 fee, 18% APR$2.07 |
 Virginia |
Restricted: 36% short-term loans onlyRestricted | $2,500$2,500 | $118.83 fee, 120.5% APR$118.83 |
 Washington |
Legal, $700 cap, eight loans a yearLegal | $700 or 30% of income$700 | $45 fee, 391% APR$45 |
 West Virginia |
Prohibited; 31% small loan rate capProhibited | No payday loansNone | $3.57 fee, 31% APR$3.57 |
 Wisconsin |
Legal, no rate cap, $1,500 limitLegal | $1,500 or 35% of income$1,500 | $45 fee, 391% APR$45 |
 Wyoming |
Legal, licensed post-dated check cashersLegal | No capNo cap | $60 fee, 243% APR$60 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states allow payday loans?
Most states allow some form of short-term small-dollar loan with a fee cap. About eighteen states plus DC cap rates at or near 36% APR, which in practice ends the two-week payday product there. The table on this page shows each state's status with the statute cited on its page.
Can I get a cash advance online in a state that bans payday loans?
Not a payday loan. Lenders in the network offer installment loans that follow that state's rate cap instead, or nothing at all where the cap is too low for them. Be wary of any online lender that ignores your state law; the regulator listed on your state page can tell you if it is licensed.
Why does the same $300 cost so much more in some states?
Because state law sets the ceiling. A 36% cap allows about $4 in interest on $300 for two weeks. A $15 per $100 cap allows $45. A state with no cap leaves the fee to the lender. Same loan, different law.
How do I check if a lender is licensed in my state?
Every state page lists the regulator and its licence lookup or phone number. Licensed lenders must display their licence number; if you cannot find it, call the regulator before you sign.