Payday Loans in Ohio: What You Can Borrow and How to Apply Online
Page last reviewed: October 28, 2026 · Reviewed for accuracy by Kelly Etheridge
Yes, you can get a payday loan in Ohio. Today it's a short-term loan of up to $1,000, repaid over 91 days to a year, with all charges capped at 60% of what you borrow.
| Borrow | Up to $1,000 (no more than $2,500 across all lenders) |
| Example | $500 over 6 months: about $121.94 a month at the maximum |
| Cost cap | 28% interest plus up to $30 a month; 60% of the loan in total |
| You need | ID, a bank account and proof of income from the last 45 days |
| Changed your mind | Cancel free until 5 p.m. on the third business day |
What an Ohio Payday Loan Costs at $300, $500 and $1,000
Examples worked out from Ohio law, not offers from lenders in our network. A lender can charge less, and your offer shows the exact APR, payments and total cost before you sign.
These are the most a licensed Ohio lender can charge, worked out from the state caps. Your offer must show the total in dollars and as an APR before you sign.
| Loan | Monthly | Charges (60% cap) | APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| $300, 3 mo | $134.70 | $104.10 ($180) | ~198% |
| $500, 6 mo | $121.94 | $231.62 ($300) | ~145% |
| $1,000, 12 mo | $128.18 | $538.12 ($600) | ~88% |
Most of the cost is the monthly fee, not the interest, which is why short loans carry the highest APRs. In 2024 the average Ohio short-term loan was $436.57 with $57.70 in charges, according to the Division of Financial Institutions, so many borrowers pay well under the cap.
Short-Term Loan or Installment Loan: Which Fits?
- You need $1,000 or less
- You can repay within a year
- You want the 60% total-cost cap and a three-day right to cancel
- You need more than $1,000, or longer than a year
- You want a lower rate: consumer installment loans are capped at 25% a year interest
- You can handle an origination fee that starts at $15 and rises with the loan size
Banks and credit unions lend under their own rules and don't need these licenses.
How to Apply in Ohio
- Have your ID, bank account details and a pay stub or other proof of income from the last 45 days ready. Ohio lenders must see it.
- Submit one request through LendUp. Lenders in our network review it, and any offer shows the full cost before you sign.
- Sign a statement that the new loan keeps you at $2,500 or less in short-term loans. Ohio has no statewide database, so lenders rely on it.
What Ohio Law Guarantees You
- No lump-sum payments. Every short-term loan is repaid in equal installments of principal, interest and fees.
- Early payoff saves money. Pay early and the lender must refund a prorated share of the interest, maintenance fees and other charges.
- Two failed debits, then stop. After two failed attempts to debit your account, the lender needs your new written permission to try again.
- No car title as collateral. Short-term lenders can't take your vehicle title or any other collateral.
- Unlicensed loans are void. Check the lender in NMLS Consumer Access or Ohio's eLicense lookup. A short-term loan from an unlicensed lender can't be collected.
Questions or a complaint: Ohio Division of Financial Institutions, (866) 278-0003.
Common Questions
Are payday loans legal in Ohio?
Not the traditional two-week kind. Since 2018, licensed lenders make short-term loans of up to $1,000, repaid in equal installments over 91 days to a year, with all charges capped at 60% of the loan.
Can I get a payday loan online in Ohio?
You can request one online through LendUp. The loan itself comes from a lender that needs an Ohio short-term lender license, and the same caps apply online and in stores.
Do I need a bank account?
To request through LendUp, yes: lenders in our network pay the loan into a bank account and collect payments from it.
What's the most a $500 Ohio payday loan can cost?
No more than $300 in fees and charges, the 60% cap. Repaid over six months at the maximum rates, it comes to about $231.62.
Can I have more than one short-term loan in Ohio?
Not from the same lender at the same time, and no more than $2,500 owed to all short-term lenders at once.
Can I cancel?
Yes. Return the money by 5 p.m. on the third business day after the loan and you owe nothing more.
Official Sources
General information, not legal advice. Facts on this page were checked against these sources on October 28, 2026.
- Ohio Revised Code 1321.39 - Short-term loan terms
- Ohio Revised Code 1321.40 - Short-term loan charges
- Ohio Revised Code 1321.403 - 60% cap on fees and charges
- Ohio Revised Code 1321.41 - Short-term lender prohibitions
- Ohio Revised Code 1321.36 - Short-term lender license
- Ohio Revised Code 1321.68 - Consumer installment loan charges
- Ohio Division of Financial Institutions - Overview of consumer credit
- Ohio Division of Financial Institutions - Licensee lookup
- Ohio Division of Financial Institutions - File a complaint
- Ohio Division of Financial Institutions - 2024 annual report
LendUp isn't a lender. We pass your request to lenders in our network; offers aren't guaranteed, and we may earn compensation if a loan is funded.