California Payday Loan Fee Calculator

The math is fixed by statute — 15% of the face value — so the only variables are how much you borrow and for how long. Set them below.

What will it cost you?

California caps deferred deposit (payday) loans at $300 with a maximum fee of 15% of the face value.

$50$300 (CA max)
7 days31 days (CA max)
Fee (15%): $38.25
Total due at repayment: $293.25
Effective APR: 391%

APR = (fee ÷ amount) × (365 ÷ days). Fees don't compound — but rollovers are illegal in California precisely because repeating this fee every two weeks is what traps borrowers.

How the 15% works, with examples

California doesn't charge interest on deferred deposit loans; it allows a flat fee of up to 15% of the check's face value. The APR you effectively pay depends entirely on the term:

Same 15% fee, very different APRs depending on term length
You borrow Fee (7 days)Fee (14 days)Fee (30 days) Total due (7d)Total due (14d)Total due (30d) APR (7d)APR (14d)APR (30d)
$100 $15$15$15 $115$115$115 782%391%182%
$255 $38.25$38.25$38.25 $293.25$293.25$293.25 782%391%182%
$300 $45$45$45 $345$345$345 782%391%182%
Reading the table: the fee never changes with time — $45 on $300 whether you borrow for a week or a month. What changes is the annualized rate. A longer term is always cheaper per day under California's flat-fee system.

Know the cost? Lock your offer.

The calculator shows the legal ceiling — lenders in our network compete below it. Two fields, about two minutes, and real offers come to you. Soft check only, never touches your credit score.

Get Your Cash Match

One form - offers from lenders licensed to serve California

1 - How much do you need?
2 - Where do we send your offers?

✓ Soft check only - won't affect your credit  ✓ No obligation