Payday Loans in Wisconsin

Yes. A DFI-licensed lender can make you a Wisconsin payday loan of up to $1,500 or 35% of your gross monthly income, whichever is less, for 90 days or less. There's no rate cap until the due date, so check the APR.

Interest on Wisconsin Payday Loans at the 2025 Average

Worked out from Wisconsin law and DFI figures, not offers from lenders in our network. Wisconsin sets no rate cap, so a lender can charge less, or more.

DFI reports the 599.51% average for 2025 payday loans; 36% is shown for comparison. The CFPB says a typical two-week loan with a $15 fee per $100 is almost 400% APR, so Wisconsin's average runs higher.

• After the due date: interest of no more than 2.75% a month, about 33% a year.
• Returned check or debit: a $15 fee.
• Cashing the loan check: the lender can't charge for it.
• Paying early: repay in full before the due date and part of the finance charge comes back.

Your Limit: $1,500 or 35% of Gross Pay

The cap counts all your open payday loans together, with interest and fees. Wisconsin no longer runs a statewide payday database, so each lender checks its own records and has you sign a statement about other payday loans.

From about $4,286 a month before tax, the $1,500 cap takes over. Need more, or longer than 90 days? That's an installment loan, without the payday protections below; see Wisconsin installment loan rules.

The Four-Payday Repayment Plan

If you can't repay in full on the due date and haven't been offered a plan on a payday loan in the past 12 months, the lender must offer one. DFI reports that 6.25% of payday borrowers ended up on one.

• Four equal payments. Your balance, plus interest of no more than 2.75% a month after the due date, is split across your next four paydays.
• One refinance only. You can pay off a payday loan with another payday loan once. A 24-hour cooling-off period applies to refinanced loans.
• No garnishment. The lender can sue in small claims court, report the debt to a credit bureau or use a collector, but can't garnish your wages or threaten criminal action.
• One try per payment. Your check can be presented once, and each electronic debit you authorized started once.

How to Request a Wisconsin Payday Loan

1. Work out your limit: 35% of your gross monthly income, up to $1,500, less any payday loans you already owe.
2. Submit one request through LendUp. Lenders in our network review it, and any offer shows the APR, payments and total cost before you sign.
3. Changed your mind? Return the money before the close of business on the next business day (5 p.m. at a 24-hour lender) and pay no fee.

Confirm the Payday Lender License in NMLS

1. Search by the lender's legal name or NMLS number; Wisconsin payday lenders apply for licenses through NMLS.
2. Check for an active Wisconsin Payday Lender license. The lender doesn't need an office in Wisconsin.
3. Or use DFI's licensee search, and match the name and address to the site or store.

If a payday loan breaks Wis. Stat. 138.14, you can sue for $250 or the loan amount, whichever is greater, plus costs and attorney fees. To complain, contact the lender, then DFI online, by email or by mail, or call (608) 261-7578.

Common Questions

Official Sources

← Wisconsin loan rules