Calculator

Payday Loan Cost Calculator

A payday loan cost calculator turns the finance fee per $100 borrowed into the total fee, the total repaid, and the annualised APR. Enter the amount, fee, and term in days to see the full cost of a single-payment advance.

Advertising disclosure: EmergencyLoaning may receive a referral fee if you apply through the link above. That fee does not change the rate you are offered, and it does not change our content. We are not a lender. The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants. Read the full disclosure.

  • Runs in your browser
  • No sign-up
  • Free

By the EmergencyLoaning Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-09-16

Enter your numbers and press Calculate. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

How this calculator works

A payday loan is usually a single-payment advance: you borrow a small amount and repay it, plus a finance fee, on your next payday. The fee is often quoted per $100 borrowed.

The calculator works in three steps:

  1. Total fee = amount * (fee per $100 / 100).
  2. Total repaid = amount + total fee.
  3. APR = (fee / amount) * (365 / days) * 100.

The APR annualises the finance fee over the term you enter, so a fee that looks small over two weeks becomes a large yearly rate. This is the same single-payment method used to express the cost of payday-style credit.

Enter your own amount, fee, and term. The result is an illustration of the formula, not a quote from a lender.

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter your numbers

    Everything runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us.

  2. Read the result

    The result shows the headline figure and the numbers behind it, so you can see where the cost comes from.

  3. Check the rules before you apply

    State caps and licensing decide what a lender may offer you. The state reference lists both with their sources.

Before you apply, run the numbers

The calculators are free and run in your browser. When you are ready to look at real offers, the link below goes to our referral partner.

Advertising disclosure: EmergencyLoaning may receive a referral fee if you apply through the link above. That fee does not change the rate you are offered, and it does not change our content. We are not a lender. The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants. Read the full disclosure.

Frequently asked questions

How is the APR calculated?
APR = (fee / amount) * (365 / days) * 100. It annualises the finance fee you pay over the term of the loan so it can be compared with other forms of credit.
Why is the APR so much higher than the fee?
The fee applies to a short term, often about two weeks. Annualising it over 365 days multiplies the cost many times, which is why a small fee produces a large yearly rate.
What does per $100 borrowed mean?
It is the finance charge for every $100 you borrow. A fee of $15 per $100 on a $300 loan is $45, because the fee scales with the amount.
Does this include any other fees?
No. This tool models the finance fee only. Late fees, returned-payment fees, and rollover charges are separate and would increase the cost.

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