CLEARBORROW · PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 12, 2026
Payday loan APR calculator
Enter the amount, the fee and the number of days to see the loan’s APR, the total to repay and what rollovers would add. A $15 fee per $100 on a two-week loan works out to an APR of almost 400%, which is why a small fee can be a very expensive way to borrow.
On this page
Calculate your payday loan APR
APR = fee ÷ amount × 365 ÷ days × 100, the method the CFPB describes. Rollovers assume the full balance stays owed and the same fee is charged each time. An estimate, not a lender disclosure.
How the APR is calculated
APR compares the fee and interest with the amount borrowed and the number of days, then scales it to a year. A $15 fee on $100 for 14 days is about $1.07 a day; over 365 days that is about $391, or an APR of almost 400% (CFPB ↗). By comparison, the same $100 on a credit card at 30% APR costs about $1.25 for two weeks (CFPB ↗).
Your lender must disclose the APR and other costs before you agree to the loan (CFPB ↗). Use the disclosed figure if it differs from this estimate.
Fee per $100 to APR
| Fee per $100 | Term | APR |
|---|---|---|
| $10 | 14 days | 261% |
| $10 | 30 days | 122% |
| $15 | 14 days | 391% |
| $15 | 30 days | 182% |
| $20 | 14 days | 521% |
| $20 | 30 days | 243% |
| $30 | 14 days | 782% |
| $30 | 30 days | 365% |
Our arithmetic with the formula above. State law commonly caps fees between $10 and $30 per $100 (CFPB ↗).
What rollovers add
A rollover charges the fee again without reducing the balance: on $300 at $15 per $100, one rollover means $90 in fees over four weeks and the $300 still due (CFPB ↗). If you cannot repay, ask for an extended payment plan instead.
Compare with other options
For monthly installment loans use the installment loan calculator; for app advances compare membership and express fees in cash advance apps. A credit union payday alternative loan is capped at 28% interest (NCUA ↗).
Questions
Is APR the same as the fee?
No. The fee is the dollar cost; APR is that cost expressed per year so you can compare loans of different lengths.
Why does a shorter loan have a higher APR?
The same fee over fewer days means a higher cost per day, which scales to a higher yearly rate.
Sources and limits
- CFPB: why a payday loan’s APR is higher than its fee ↗
- CFPB: costs and fees for a payday loan ↗
- NCUA: PALs I and PALs II requirements ↗
Sources checked November 12, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice; rules differ by state. Worked examples are our own arithmetic, not offers. How we use sources.