Payday Loans in Washington
Page last reviewed: October 28, 2026 · Reviewed for accuracy by Peter Kizza
Yes, payday loans are legal in Washington. You can borrow up to $700 or 30% of your gross monthly income, whichever is less, for up to 45 days, and the fee can't exceed 15% of the first $500 and 10% of the rest.
| Borrow | Up to $700 or 30% of gross monthly income, whichever is less |
| Example | $500 for 14 days: repay $575 at the maximum (~391% APR) |
| Fee cap | 15% of the first $500, 10% above: $95 on $700 |
| Loan limit | 8 loans in any 12 months, checked in a statewide database |
| You need | ID, proof of income, a bank account; no open plan or default |
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.
Fees on $100 to $700 at Washington's Cap
| Loan | Max fee | You repay |
|---|---|---|
| $100 | $15 | $115 |
| $200 | $30 | $230 |
| $300 | $45 | $345 |
| $400 | $60 | $460 |
| $500 | $75 | $575 |
| $600 | $85 | $685 |
| $700 | $95 | $795 |
Worked out from Washington law, not offers from lenders in our network; a lender can charge less.
Going past 45 days takes your agreement and no added fee. In 2025, the average fee was $56.40 and the average term 43 days, according to DFI.
Your Limit: Whichever Is Lower, $700 or 30% of Income
Earn $2,000 a month before taxes and your limit is $600, across all payday lenders combined. Weekly pay counts as pay times 52, divided by 12.
- No more than 8 payday loans from all lenders in any 12 months. A loan you cancel doesn't count.
- Your due date is on or after your next payday, or the one after if your next payday is within 7 days.
- A lender can't let you pay off its loan with a new one from it or an affiliate.
- Every loan is checked in DFI's statewide database before it's made.
The No-Cost Installment Plan: 90 or 180 Days
Can't pay on the due date? Ask for an installment plan by then; on the day itself, before close of business or the time in your agreement, which can't be earlier than 3 p.m. The lender must agree, and can't charge anything for it.
| You owe | Plan length | Payments |
|---|---|---|
| $460 ($400 loan) | At least 90 days | 3 × $153.33 |
| $795 ($700 loan) | At least 180 days | 6 × $132.50 |
The first payment can't be due sooner than 7 days after you sign, and early payoff is free. Miss a payment by more than 10 days and the lender can charge a one-time $25 fee. No new payday loan until the plan is paid. 19,771 borrowers used a plan in 2025.
What DFI's 2025 Payday Report Shows
| Measure | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Payday loans made | 268,399 |
| Borrowers | 86,374 |
| Average loan | $464.96 |
| Licensed lenders | 8 (5 online only) |
| Loans that defaulted | 10.0% |
Applying in Washington: Limit, Request, Review
- Know your limit: 30% of your gross monthly income or $700, fewer than 8 loans in the past 12 months, and no plan or default open.
- Submit one request through LendUp. Lenders in our network review it, and any offer shows the APR, payments and total cost before you sign.
- Read the agreement for the fee in dollars, the APR and due date, and the notices of your right to cancel and to a plan.
Does the Lender Hold a Small Loan Endorsement?
- Search NMLS Consumer Access by the lender's legal name or NMLS number.
- Look for a Washington Check Casher license with a Small Loan Endorsement.
- Match the name and address on the record to the website or store you're using.
A small loan made to someone in Washington by a lender without the endorsement is uncollectible and unenforceable. Call DFI at 1-877-746-4334 if you can't find the lender.
- Cancel for free. Return the money by close of business the next business day and you owe nothing for the loan.
- No criminal threats. A lender can't threaten prosecution or visit your home or work to collect unless you invite it.
- Military borrowers. DFI says most Washington payday lenders stopped lending to servicemembers because of the federal 36% APR cap.
Common Questions
Are payday loans legal in Washington state?
Yes. Lenders licensed by DFI with a small loan endorsement can lend up to $700 or 30% of your gross monthly income, whichever is less, for up to 45 days.
How much does a $700 payday loan cost in Washington?
No more than $95 in fees: 15% of the first $500 and 10% of the last $200. You'd repay $795; over 14 days that's about 354% APR.
How many payday loans can you have in Washington?
Eight in any 12 months, from all lenders combined. Several loans at once are allowed only while their total stays within your $700 or 30% limit, and the statewide database checks both.
Can I get a payday loan online in Washington?
Yes, from a lender with a Washington small loan endorsement. Online lenders need the same license as stores, and an unlicensed lender's loan can't be collected.
What if I can't repay my Washington payday loan?
Ask for the free installment plan on or before the due date: at least 90 days if you owe $400 or less, 180 days if more, with no extra fees.
Can I cancel a Washington payday loan?
Yes. Return the principal in cash, or the lender's original check, by close of business the next business day. There's no charge, and the loan doesn't count toward your 8-loan limit.
Official Sources
General information, not legal advice. Facts on this page were checked against these sources on October 28, 2026.
- RCW 31.45.073 - Small loan amount, term and fees
- RCW 31.45.084 - Small loan installment plans
- RCW 31.45.086 - Right of rescission
- RCW 31.45.082 - Collecting a delinquent small loan
- RCW 31.45.105 - Unlicensed loans uncollectible
- WAC 208-630-510 - When you can ask for an installment plan
- WAC 208-630-520 - Installment plan terms
- WAC 208-630-542 - Fees after a default
- WAC 208-630-556 - Small loan database and rescission
- Washington DFI - Payday loans: rules, limits and your rights
- Washington DFI - Payday lending FAQs
- Washington DFI - 2025 Payday Lending Report
- Washington DFI - Verify a license