How Much of a Personal Loan Can You Get? Typical Ranges
Most personal loans range from $1,000 to $50,000, though some lenders offer up to $100,000 for well-qualified borrowers. A small number go even higher, but those large loans are uncommon and come with stricter approval rules.
A personal loan is a type of installment loan that you repay in fixed monthly payments over a set term, usually two to seven years. You get the full amount upfront and pay it off with interest. Once you know how the loan works, the next question is how much you can borrow.
To get the most accurate picture of how much of a personal loan you can get, you’ll need to apply with several lenders.
Key Takeaways
How much of a personal loan can you get? Usually $1,000 to $50,000: Well-qualified borrowers can reach $100,000, and a few lenders go higher.
Your credit tier sets the range: Excellent credit (800+) can unlock $25,000 to $100,000 at APRs around 6% to 12%, while poor credit (below 580) often caps out near $5,000 at rates close to 36%.
Secured loans let you borrow more: Backing a loan with collateral like a car or CD can raise your limit to as much as $100,000 and lower your APR.
Income and DTI matter as much as your score: Most lenders want a debt-to-income ratio under 36% before offering their top loan amounts.
Rates track the market: The average APR on a 24-month bank personal loan was 11.86% in May 2026, per the Federal Reserve.
Prequalify before you apply: A soft-check preview shows your likely amount and rate without hurting your score.
Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors
How Much Can You Borrow With a Personal Loan?
The type of personal loan you pick affects how much you can borrow and the annual percentage rate (APR) you pay. Here is how the three main options compare.
How Much Can You Borrow With a Secured Personal Loan?
A secured personal loan uses collateral like a car, savings account or certificate of deposit (CD) to back the loan. Because the lender assumes less risk, you can often borrow more — usually $2,000 to $100,000 — with APRs ranging from 6% to 20%.
How Much Can You Borrow With an Unsecured Personal Loan?
An unsecured personal loan does not require collateral and is approved based on your credit and income. Loan amounts run from $1,000 to $50,000 for most borrowers, with APRs from about 7% to 36%.
How Much Can You Borrow With a Specialized Personal Loan?
A specialized personal loan is built for a specific purpose like debt consolidation, home improvement or medical bills. Amounts usually fall between $1,000 and $50,000, and APRs range from 6% to 36%, depending on the lender and your credit.
Personal Loan Amounts by Lender Type
Different lenders offer different loan sizes and rates. Use the table to see where you might borrow the most.
Lender type | Typical loan range | Typical APR range |
|---|---|---|
Online lenders | $1,000 to $100,000 | 7% to 36% |
Banks | $3,000 to $100,000 | 6% to 25% |
Credit unions | $500 to $50,000 | 6% to 18% |
Peer-to-peer lenders | $1,000 to $50,000 | 8% to 36% |
Buy now, pay later or fintech apps | $100 to $5,000 | 0% to 36% |
A few lenders offer personal loans of $100,000 or more to borrowers with strong credit and a steady income. These larger loans are less common and usually come with stricter approval rules.
How Does Your Credit Score Affect How Much You Can Borrow?
Your credit score is one of the biggest factors in how much a lender will offer and what APR you pay. The table below shows what you can typically expect at each credit tier.
Credit score range | Credit tier | Typical loan amount | Typical APR | Common lender type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
300 to 579 | Poor | $1,000 to $5,000 | 25% to 36% | Subprime and online lenders |
580 to 669 | Fair | $2,000 to $15,000 | 18% to 32% | Online lenders and credit unions |
670 to 739 | Good | $5,000 to $25,000 | 11% to 20% | Banks, credit unions and online lenders |
740 to 799 | Very good | $10,000 to $50,000 | 8% to 15% | Banks and top online lenders |
800 to 850 | Excellent | $25,000 to $100,000 plus | 6% to 12% | Banks and prime lenders |
What Are the Typical Loan Amounts and Rates From Major Lenders?
Loan amounts and APRs vary by lender, credit score and loan term. Rates and amounts change often, so check each lender for current terms. Here’s how some well-known lenders compare.
Lender | Loan amount range | APR range |
|---|---|---|
$1,000 to $25,000 ($50,000 for current U.S. Bank customers) | 9.24% to 24.99% | |
Discover®, a division of Capital One, N.A., Member FDIC | $2,500 to $40,000 | 6.99% to 24.99% |
$3,000 to $100,000 | 6.74% to 26.74% | |
$1,500 to $30,000 | 11.99% to 35.99% | |
SoFi® | $5,000 to $100,000 | 6.99% to 35.49% |
$5,000 to $100,000 | 7.24% to 24.89% |
Rates last checked August 2026.
6 Factors That Affect How Much Money You Can Borrow
According to data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, personal loan balances and APRs vary widely based on credit score, income and loan term, with subprime borrowers paying rates near the 36% cap and prime borrowers often qualifying for single-digit APRs. Federal Reserve data on consumer credit also show that the average APR on a 24-month personal loan from a commercial bank is 11.86% as of May 2026.
Lenders consider a mix of factors to determine how much you can borrow. Here is what each one means.
Credit score: A three-digit number that shows how you have handled debt in the past. Higher scores unlock larger loans and lower APRs.
Income: The money you bring in each month before taxes. A steady, higher income supports a larger loan because you have more room to repay it.
Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio: The share of your monthly income that already goes to debt payments. Most lenders want a DTI under 36% before offering top loan amounts.
Employment history: How long you have held steady work. Two or more years with the same employer signals stability to a lender.
Loan purpose: The reason you are borrowing. Debt consolidation and home improvement loans often qualify for higher limits than general personal loans.
Lender limits: The minimum and maximum amounts a lender is willing to offer. Online lenders and banks often go up to $100,000, while credit unions may cap loans at $50,000.
How Can You Estimate How Much You Might Qualify For?
The amount you can borrow will depend on your financial situation, credit score and lender policies.
Start by calculating how much the loan will cost you each month. Make sure you include interest on the loan, lender fees and your desired loan term length.
A personal loan calculator can help you estimate your loan amount and monthly payment based on your income, credit score, existing debt and desired term. Enter a loan amount, APR and term to see what a monthly payment would look like before you apply. Many lenders also let you check your rate with a soft credit pull, which does not affect your credit score.
How Loan Term Affects the Cost
A longer loan term will mean lower monthly payments but more interest over the loan’s lifetime. For example, your monthly payments and total interest on a $10,000 loan at a 10% interest rate will vary with the loan term.
Five-year term: If you choose a five-year loan term, you’ll pay $212.47 every month for five years, for a total of $2,748.23 in interest.
One-year term: If you choose to repay the same loan over one year, you will need to pay $879.16 per month. But you’ll only have to pay $549.91 in interest.
While the first option has more affordable monthly payments, you’ll pay much more for that convenience. To save more in the long term, calculate how much you can reasonably afford to put toward your monthly loan payment without putting your other expenses at risk to keep total costs down.
Quick Budget Example
Imagine you earn $5,000 monthly before taxes.
If you have a monthly mortgage payment of $1,500 plus other fixed expenses of another $1,000, paying off the loan in one year might put too much strain on your budget.
In that case, taking the longer term and asking the lender for a loan without an early repayment penalty can allow you to pay more whenever your budget allows.
How To Choose the Right Personal Loan
Choosing a loan amount that fits your financial situation and repayment ability is a personal decision. However, knowledge is power. The more you can compare lenders and research current interest rates, the more prepared you’ll be to choose a loan that fits your budget.
In addition to carefully shopping for personal loans, it’s essential to read the terms and conditions of the loan agreement before signing.
Other tips for choosing the right personal loan:
Check the lender's reputation and client reviews.
Compare maximum loan amounts from various lenders.
Consider alternative specialized loans, such as student debt refinancing or a home equity loan, if they fit your situation.
If you have factors working against you, like a low credit score, there are still options available. Consider personal loans for bad credit or working to improve your credit score before applying.
Final Notes on How Much You Can Borrow
Factors such as your DTI ratio, credit score, total income, employment history and even the loan purpose can affect the amount you can get for a personal loan.
Beyond that, personal loan amounts vary depending on your chosen lender and your overall financial situation at the time of application.
Remember to borrow only what you need for the expense, as repaying the loan with interest can lead to greater financial strain in the long term.
You can use a personal loan calculator to see how different amounts, interest rates and terms could affect your monthly payment and determine what you can comfortably afford.
How Much of a Personal Loan Can I Get FAQs
What is the minimum personal loan amount?
Most lenders start at $1,000, though some credit unions and online lenders offer loans as small as $500.
What is the maximum personal loan amount?
The typical maximum is $100,000, and you usually need a credit score of 740 or higher, a DTI under 36% and a steady income to qualify at the top end.
How much can you borrow with a 600 credit score?
With a fair credit score of around 600, you can often borrow $2,000 to $15,000 with APRs from 18% to 30%.
How much can you borrow with a 750 credit score?
With excellent credit of 750, you can often borrow up to $100,000 at APRs ranging from 7% to 12%.
How much of a personal loan can you get with a 500 credit score?
With a 500 credit score, you can usually borrow $1,000 to $5,000. Rates often sit near the 36% cap, and you may need a co-signer or collateral to qualify.
How much of a personal loan can you get with a 650 credit score?
A 650 credit score puts you in the fair range. You can often qualify for $2,000 to $15,000 with an APR between 18% and 32%, depending on income and debt.
How much of a personal loan can you get with a 700 credit score?
At 700, most lenders will offer $10,000 to $25,000 with APRs from 11% to 20%. You will likely qualify with banks, credit unions and top online lenders.
How much of a personal loan can you get with an 800 credit score?
With a credit score of 800 or higher, you can borrow $25,000 to $100,000 or more at some of the lowest APRs available, often 6% to 12%.
How can you qualify for a higher loan amount?
Raise your credit score, lower your debt-to-income ratio, show steady income and consider adding a co-signer or collateral.
Key Terms
Personal loan: An installment loan repaid in fixed monthly payments, usually over two to seven years.
Secured loan: A loan backed by collateral, which can raise your limit and lower your APR but risks the asset.
Unsecured loan: A loan based on credit and income, typically $1,000 to $50,000 with no collateral.
Annual percentage rate (APR): The yearly cost of borrowing, including interest and most fees.
Debt-to-income ratio (DTI): Your monthly debt payments divided by gross income; under 36% is preferred for top amounts.
Credit tier: The band your score falls into, from poor to excellent, which shapes your amount and rate.
Loan term: The repayment period; a longer term lowers payments but raises total interest.
Prequalification: A soft-check estimate of your amount and rate that doesn't affect your score.
Sources
Federal Reserve: G.19 Consumer Credit
myFICO: Credit score ranges
NCUA: Interest rate ceiling
Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors
Elizabeth Constantineau, CFHC™, contributed to editing this article.
Photo credit: Liubomyr Vorona / iStock.com
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