# Payday Loan Rollover Cost Simulator — See the Debt-Trap Math | Fenix Loans > See exactly what rolling over a payday loan costs. Move the slider for each renewal and watch the fees stack up against the amount you originally borrowed. Источник: https://fenixloans.com/tools/rollover-simulator/ --- FREE TOOL · NO SIGN-UP # Payday Loan Rollover Cost Simulator Can't repay on the due date? Each "rollover" pays only the fee and keeps the full balance owed. Move the sliders and watch what renewing really costs. PB **Reviewed by [Priya Bauer, AFC®](/authors/priya-bauer/)** · Last updated May 24, 2026 ## Your loan Amount borrowed $100**$300**$1,000 Fee per $100 borrowed $10**$17.50**$30 Number of rollovers (renewals) 0**3**10 Assumes a standard 14-day term per cycle. A rollover pays the fee only — the principal is not reduced. Total fees paid $262 on a $300 loan you still owe in full Principal still owed**$300** Total you will repay**$562** Effective APR**456%** Fees vs. amount borrowed **Before you renew your loan another time:** state laws often mandate that a licensed lender provides an **Extended Payment Plan** for free annually — be sure to request it. A [Payday Alternative Loan](/payday-loan-alternatives/) from a credit union (capped at 28% APR) or an earned-wage advance can pay off your debt for much less than the price of one more renewal. Most borrowers who roll over a payday loan four times will pay more in fees than they originally borrowed—and still owe the full principal. This simulator shows you exactly how that math unfolds before you sign. Think of it as a quick triage session: no judgment, just the numbers you need to make an informed choice. ### What the numbers actually look like - A payday loan is priced as a flat fee for a short term—usually 14 days. - The fee per cycle equals: (amount borrowed ÷ 100) × fee per $100. - At $17.50 per $100, a $300 loan rolled four times costs about $262 in fees—while the $300 principal is still owed. - Effective APR annualizes the per-cycle fee over 14 days, reflecting the true price regardless of renewals. - This simulator uses a flat per-cycle fee and a 14-day term for educational estimates. ## How do I use this tool step by step? Start by entering your loan amount and your state's fee per $100. The simulator will show you the cost of one cycle, then let you add rollovers to see how fees accumulate. Here's the most useful way to work through it: 1. **Enter your actual loan amount**—not what you wish you could borrow, but what a lender has offered or what you see advertised. 2. **Input the fee per $100** for your state; this varies widely, so check [your state's specific limits](/state/) if you're unsure. 3. **Review the single-cycle cost**—this is what you'd pay if you repaid on time in two weeks. 4. **Add one rollover at a time** and watch the running total. Notice how the principal never shrinks. 5. **Stop when you hit your realistic repayment horizon**—if you know you can't pay back for six weeks, see what four cycles actually costs. ## Why does the principal stay the same? Because a rollover is not repayment—it's a new fee to extend the due date. You pay the fee again, but you never touch the original $300. After four rollovers, you've paid roughly $262 in fees and still owe the full $300. This is why rollovers dominate the total cost of borrowing. ## What should I do with these results? Use them as a comparison point, not a prediction. If the simulator shows you'll pay $262 in fees to borrow $300 for ten weeks, ask yourself: is there any other way to cover this gap? [Payday loan alternatives](/payday-loan-alternatives/)—from employer advances to credit union small-dollar loans—often break this cycle entirely. If you're already stuck, [here's what happens if you can't repay](/guides/what-if-you-cant-repay/) and how to prioritize. ## How accurate is this estimate? The simulator uses a standardized 14-day term and flat per-cycle fee. Real lenders may structure products differently, and some states cap rollovers or require principal paydown. Treat this as a directional tool: if the estimate stings, the actual experience likely will too. For precise terms, read your loan agreement and [verify your state's regulations](/state/). ## Frequently asked questions Is the fee per $100 the same as an interest rate? No. The fee is a flat charge for the two-week term, not interest that accrues over time. The effective APR converts that flat fee to an annualized figure so you can compare it to other credit products, but the lender charges the same dollar amount each cycle regardless of how you annualize it. Can I reduce what I owe by paying part of the principal during a rollover? Some states require partial principal paydown after certain rollovers, but many do not. The simulator assumes no principal reduction because that remains the most common structure. Check your specific loan terms or [your state's rules](/state/) to see if you're in a jurisdiction with paydown requirements. What if I already rolled over twice and I'm panicking? Stop and breathe. The simulator shows that every additional rollover adds the same fee again—there's no discount for being a repeat customer. Use the tool to see exactly what one more cycle costs, then compare that to the alternatives in [our guide to other options](/payday-loan-alternatives/). Sometimes the math pushes you toward a hard conversation with a landlord or utility rather than another fee. #### Check out more affordable choices first Evaluate a payday loan next to other solutions that don't require renewal — such as PALs, earned-wage access, and others. [Compare alternatives](/payday-loan-alternatives/) 🔒 No application required to browse --- #### More tools - [Affordability checker](/tools/affordability-checker/) - [Payday vs. alternatives](/tools/payday-vs-alternatives/) - [Loan cost calculator](/tools/cost-calculator/)