Payday loans in Wisconsin
Payday loans are legal in Wisconsin, and state law does not cap the fees a lender may charge, so prices vary widely from one lender to the next. Every figure on this page was checked against Wisconsin law on November 10, 2026.
- Status
- Legal
- Maximum loan
- $1,500
Wisconsin payday loan rules at a glance
- Legal status
- Legal
- Maximum loan
- $1,500 (or 35% of gross monthly income, whichever is less)
- Loan term
- 90 days or less
- Maximum fee
- No limit.
- Loans at one time
- Cannot exceed max loan amount.
- Rollovers
- Yes, one.
- Cooling-off period
- 24 hours after repaying renewed loan.
- Repayment plan
- Yes.
- Governing law
- Wisc. Stat. Ann. § 138.14
Checked against Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin and lenders must hold a state license.
- The most you can borrow on one payday loan is $1,500.
- Price rule: No limit.
- Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions handles licensing questions and complaints.
On this page
Are payday loans legal in Wisconsin?
Payday loans are legal in Wisconsin, and state law does not cap the fees a lender may charge, so prices vary widely from one lender to the next.
The governing law is Wisc. Stat. Ann. § 138.14. Wisconsin Department 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 Wisconsin
- Loan size: up to $1,500 (or 35% of gross monthly income, whichever is less)
- Loan term: 90 days or less
- Loans at one time: Cannot exceed max loan amount.
- Rollovers: Yes, one.
- Cooling-off period: 24 hours after repaying renewed loan.
- Repayment plan: Yes.
What a payday loan costs in Wisconsin
State law sets the price rule: No limit.
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. A single-payment payday loan under Wisconsin law does not meet that standard, whatever its fee, because it falls due in one payment within weeks.
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 Wisconsin
Contact the lender before the due date and ask for a payment plan in writing. The state rule: Yes. On criminal threats: No. If a lender or collector breaks the rules, file a complaint with Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions and with the CFPB. Our guide to what happens if you don’t pay covers each step.
Lower-cost options in Wisconsin
- 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 Wisconsin
- 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 Wisconsin?
Yes. Payday loans are legal in Wisconsin under Wisc. Stat. Ann. § 138.14, and lenders need a state license.
How much can I borrow with a payday loan in Wisconsin?
Up to $1,500 (or 35% of gross monthly income, whichever is less) on a single loan.
What does a payday loan cost in Wisconsin?
State law sets the price rule: No limit. The lender must give you the finance charge in dollars and the APR in writing before you sign.
Can I roll over a payday loan in Wisconsin?
State rule on rollovers: Yes, one. A rollover adds a new fee without reducing what you owe.
Can I be arrested for not repaying a payday loan in Wisconsin?
No. No. A lender can still sue you in civil court, so never ignore a court summons.
Where do I complain about a lender in Wisconsin?
Contact Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. You can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Does Northlight offer payday loans in Wisconsin?
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
- WyomingPayday loans are legal in Wyoming. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- West VirginiaPayday loans are not legal in West Virginia. Learn what the law says, why online offers are risky and which lower-cost options you can use instead.
- AlabamaPayday loans are legal in Alabama. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- WashingtonPayday loans are legal in Washington. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- AlaskaPayday loans are legal in Alaska. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- VirginiaPayday loans are legal in Virginia. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.