Payday loans in Ohio
Short-term loans are legal in Ohio, but state law requires longer repayment periods and limits what lenders can charge, so they work more like installment loans than two-week payday loans. Every figure on this page was checked against Ohio law on November 10, 2026.
- Status
- Legal with price limits
- Maximum loan
- $1,000
Ohio payday loan rules at a glance
- Legal status
- Legal with price limits
- Maximum loan
- $1,000
- Loan term
- 91 days to 1 year
- Maximum fee
- 28% + lesser of 10% of originally contracted loan amount or $30 maintenance fee
- Loans at one time
- Maximum of $2500 Outstanding.
- Repayment plan
- equal payments across all months.
- Governing law
- Ohio Rev. Code Ann. 1321.35 et seq.
Checked against Ohio law on November 10, 2026.
The Northlight standard
- Highest APR
- 35.99%
- Time to repay
- 3 to 36 months
- Amounts
- $100 to $5,000
Example: $1,000 over 12 months at 35.99% APR is 12 payments of $100.46, $1,205.52 in total. Rates and terms
Key points
- Payday loans are legal in Ohio and lenders must hold a state license.
- The most you can borrow on one payday loan is $1,000.
- Price rule: 28% + lesser of 10% of originally contracted loan amount or $30 maintenance fee.
- Ohio Division of Financial Institutions handles licensing questions and complaints.
On this page
Are payday loans legal in Ohio?
Short-term loans are legal in Ohio, but state law requires longer repayment periods and limits what lenders can charge, so they work more like installment loans than two-week payday loans.
The governing law is Ohio Rev. Code Ann. 1321.35 et seq… Ohio Division of Financial Institutions licenses lenders and takes complaints. Check a lender’s license there before you share bank details; how to tell if a lender is legitimate lists the other checks.
Loan limits in Ohio
- Loan size: up to $1,000
- Loan term: 91 days to 1 year
- Loans at one time: Maximum of $2500 Outstanding.
- Repayment plan: equal payments across all months.
What a payday loan costs in Ohio
State law sets the price rule: 28% + lesser of 10% of originally contracted loan amount or $30 maintenance fee.
Federal law requires the lender to state the finance charge in dollars and the APR in your agreement. Read both before you sign, and set them beside the example further down this page.
A loan that meets the Northlight standard
Northlight works only with loans that carry an APR of 35.99% or less, fees included, and give you at least 3 months to repay. Ohio already requires longer terms than a classic payday loan. Whether a particular loan meets our standard depends on its APR.
For example, $1,000 repaid over 12 months at 35.99% APR is 12 payments of $100.46, or $1,205.52 in total. The calculator prices other amounts and terms.
If you cannot repay a loan in Ohio
Contact the lender before the due date and ask for a payment plan in writing. The state rule: equal payments across all months. If a lender or collector breaks the rules, file a complaint with Ohio Division of Financial Institutions and with the CFPB. Our guide to what happens if you don’t pay covers each step.
Lower-cost options in Ohio
- Credit union payday alternative loans (PALs): $200 to $2,000 at no more than 28% APR.
- A payment plan with the landlord, utility or hospital you owe often costs nothing.
- Local assistance: dial 211 for rent, utility and food programs near you.
See all payday loan alternatives.
Free help in Ohio
- 211Free, confidential referrals to local help with rent, utilities and food. Call 211.
- USA.gov: help paying billsGovernment programs for rent, energy, phone and medical bills.
- National Foundation for Credit CounselingNonprofit credit counselors who can set up a debt management plan. Call 800-388-2227.
- CFPB complaint portalFile a federal complaint about a lender or a debt collector.
Common questions
Are payday loans legal in Ohio?
Yes. Payday loans are legal in Ohio under Ohio Rev. Code Ann. 1321.35 et seq., and lenders need a state license.
How much can I borrow with a payday loan in Ohio?
Up to $1,000 on a single loan.
What does a payday loan cost in Ohio?
State law sets the price rule: 28% + lesser of 10% of originally contracted loan amount or $30 maintenance fee. The lender must give you the finance charge in dollars and the APR in writing before you sign.
Can I be arrested for not repaying a payday loan in Ohio?
No. Not paying a loan is a civil matter, not a crime. A lender can still sue you in civil court, so never ignore a court summons.
Where do I complain about a lender in Ohio?
Contact Ohio Division of Financial Institutions. You can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Does Northlight offer payday loans in Ohio?
No. Northlight is not a lender, and the loans we work with must carry an APR of 35.99% or less and run for at least 3 months. Single-payment payday loans do not meet that standard.
See the payment before you apply
Pick an amount and a term. The calculator shows the monthly payment, the total and the cost of credit at the highest APR we allow.
Sources
Keep reading
- OklahomaPayday loans are legal in Oklahoma. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- North DakotaPayday loans are legal in North Dakota. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- OregonPayday loans are legal in Oregon. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- North CarolinaPayday loans are not legal in North Carolina. Learn what the law says, why online offers are risky and which lower-cost options you can use instead.
- PennsylvaniaPayday loans are not legal in Pennsylvania. Learn what the law says, why online offers are risky and which lower-cost options you can use instead.
- New YorkPayday loans are not legal in New York. Learn what the law says, why online offers are risky and which lower-cost options you can use instead.