Español
Plain dollars, no fine print

What would borrowing really cost?

When money is short, the fastest option is often the most expensive. Enter how much you need and how long until you can pay it back, and see every option side by side.

What you need

What it's for
Change the assumptions

These are typical costs. Use the numbers from a real offer if you have one.

Before you borrow

  • Call the company you owe. Utilities, hospitals and landlords often agree to a payment plan or a later due date, and that costs nothing.
  • Check help programs. Energy assistance, rent relief and food benefits can free up cash. Try the benefits checker or call 211.
  • Ask your employer. Some offer early access to pay you've already earned, for a small fee or free.
  • Look for a credit union. Federal credit unions can offer small "payday alternative loans" capped at 28% APR with a fee of $20 or less.
Cheapest option$0Compare

Why fees add up so fast

A typical payday loan charges $15 for every $100 you borrow for two weeks. That sounds small, but it works out to an APR of nearly 400%. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found that most payday loans are rolled over or taken out again within a month, so the fee gets paid again and again. Single-payment car title loans run about 300% APR, and you can lose your car if you can't pay.

What the APR means

APR is the yearly cost of borrowing, including fees, as a percentage. It lets you compare a two-week payday loan with a one-year credit card on the same scale. Lower is better.

Buy now, pay later

Splitting a purchase into four payments over six weeks usually costs nothing if every payment is on time. Missed payments can bring late fees, and having several plans going at once makes it easy to lose track.

Sources

Last checked October 2026. Amounts change every year.