Payday & Installment Loans in California (CA)

Payday Loans and Cash Advance in California: Get Offers Online

California · online request

Cash for unexpected bills: request $100 to $5,000 online

Payday and installment loans in one short form, offers from licensed lenders, and money sent to your bank account if you are approved.

How much do you need?

Estimated fee—

Total to repay—

Estimate uses the maximum fee California law allows (up to 15% of the check face amount; on a $300 check that is a $45 fee and $255 cash to the borrower). Some lenders charge less. A typical two-week loan with a $15 per $100 fee has an APR near 400%. Your offer may differ.

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Free to request · No obligation · Takes a few minutes

California lenders must be licensed by the state
Full cost and APR shown before you sign
All credit types can apply; lenders may check credit

Payday Loans in California, requested online

California residents can request $100 to $255 online from any of the 1,239 California cities we cover. You fill in one form, lenders review it, and you see the full cost before you decide.

What California law says

Maximum loan amount: $255.
Fee limit: Up to 15% of the check face amount; on a $300 check that is a $45 fee and $255 cash to the borrower.
Maximum loan term: 31 days.
Renewals: A new loan cannot be made while an earlier one is still in effect; no fee may be charged for extra time or a payment plan.
Payment plan: Lender may grant more time or a payment plan, but cannot charge any fee for it.
Loan limits: One loan at a time per customer; a state database tracks loans.
Lenders must hold a license from the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) and disclose fees and APR before you sign.

Good to know

The most you can get is $300 on the check, and you receive $255 after the $45 fee.
The fee cannot exceed 15% of the check amount, and nothing else may be charged beyond what the law allows.
The lender holds your check for no more than 31 days.
A lender cannot give you a new payday loan while an earlier one with that lender is still in effect.
A lender may give you more time or a payment plan, but cannot charge for it.
A bank may charge up to $15 for a returned check, and the lender cannot add a late fee on top.
In 2025 the average payday loan was $251 with an average APR of 362%, and about 70% of loans went to repeat borrowers (DFPI annual report).
Payday lenders must be licensed by DFPI; you can check a license and file complaints with DFPI.

Problem with a lender? Contact the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) at 1-866-275-2677 · file a complaint online, or the CFPB. Active-duty service members and their dependents are covered by the Military Lending Act 36% rate cap.

Why request online

One form, several providersFill in your details once instead of applying lender by lender.

All credit types can applyProviders look at income and banking history, not only your credit score. Lenders may still check your credit.

No hidden costsLenders must show the fee, interest and APR before you sign. You can say no.

Direct depositIf you accept an offer, funds go straight to your checking account, often by the next business day.

Installment loans in California

Need more than $255 or more time to repay? California also allows consumer installment loans from licensed lenders, repaid in fixed monthly payments. Under $2,500: 2.5% a month on the first $225, 2% on $225 to $900, 1.5% on $900 to $1,650, 1% above. $2,500 to under $10,000: up to 36% a year plus the federal funds rate.

Payday loan$255 → repay $300.00One payment in about two weeks, with a fee of $45.00.

Installment loan$1,500 → $142.38 a month12 monthly payments at 24.75% APR, the California limit for a $1,000 loan; $208.61 interest in total.

Larger amountsRequests up to $35,000Lenders that offer larger personal loans in California review these requests; approval, amount and rate vary.

A payday loan fits a small, one-off gap you can repay in full on your next payday.
An installment loan fits a larger amount or a budget that needs smaller monthly payments; check the total interest before you sign.
Installment lenders need a license: California Financing Law finance lender license from the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI).

Illustration only. Your lender must disclose the APR, payment schedule and total cost before you sign.

How it works

1RequestFill in a short form with your California address, income and checking account.

2Review your offerSee the amount, fee, APR and due date. Compare the total you repay.

3Get your moneyAccept and e-sign. Funding time depends on the provider and your bank.

You will need:Age 18+Government IDRegular incomeActive checking accountPhone and email

Payday Loan Rules in California

Allowed – regulated payday

Maximum amount	$300 check face amount (typically $255 net at max fee)
Loan term	Up to 31 days
Rate / fee rule	Fee ≤15% of check face amount
Regulatory basis	Cal. Fin. Code §23000 et seq.; CDDTL

Key Rules

A $300 check can yield $255 cash after a $45 maximum fee
no extra fee for an extension
DFPI license required

Regulatory reference: the statutes listed in this table and the state regulator. · NCSL 50-state payday lending summary State rules can change; confirm current terms before borrowing.

Largest California cities

Los Angeles 3,857k San Diego 1,390k San Jose 990k San Francisco 830k Fresno 546k Sacramento 529k Long Beach 456k Oakland 439k Bakersfield 412k Anaheim 345k Stockton 322k Riverside 319k Santa Ana 313k Irvine 312k Chula Vista 276k Santa Clarita 230k

Questions people ask

Can I get a loan in California with bad credit?

Yes, you can apply with any credit history. Lenders look at your income and banking history, not only your credit score, but they may still check your credit and approval is not guaranteed. Compare the APR and total cost before you accept.

Are payday loans legal in California?

Yes. Lenders are licensed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) under California Deferred Deposit Transaction Law, Cal. Fin. Code 23000 et seq. (23035-23037).

What is the maximum payday loan in California?

$255. The lender decides your amount based on income.

How much does a payday loan cost in California?

Fee limit in California: up to 15% of the check face amount; on a $300 check that is a $45 fee and $255 cash to the borrower. At $17.65 per $100, a $255 two-week loan costs $45, about 460% APR.

Where can I complain about a lender in California?

Contact the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) at 1-866-275-2677 or the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.

Ready to see your options in California?

It takes a few minutes and costs nothing to ask. You decide after you see the full cost.

Check my offers

We pass your request to participating lenders. A request does not guarantee an offer; approval, amount and funding time depend on the provider.

JTJohn Terlons, Consumer Finance Specialist at Payday Linet LTD, Dallas, Texas (MBA in Finance, Harvard; 15 years in consumer lending and financial products). Figures on this page are taken from the public sources listed below. Editorial policy · How we make money