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Personal loans with bad credit: your real options

No honest lender can promise approval. Learn what you can likely get at your score, what to avoid, and what to do if you are turned down.

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What will this money really cost me?

Compare the cost

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What will this money really cost me?

Compare the same amount borrowed three ways.

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What $2,000 costs over 12 months

Personal loan 31.22% APR
$354
Credit card 24% APR
$269
Payday loan, rolled over $15 per $100 every 2 weeks
$7,800

The payday loan costs $7,446 more than the personal loan. If lenders keep saying no, find out what is behind the denials.

The card row uses a typical card APR and the payday row a typical fee, rolled over every two weeks. Neither is a quote.

Rates shown are averages by credit tier from published industry sources: car loans from Experian's State of the Automotive Finance Market (Q1 2026, new-vehicle averages, banded on VantageScore 4.0); mortgages from the myFICO Loan Savings Calculator (Curinos LLC data, May 2026, 30-year fixed at 80% loan-to-value, banded on FICO Scores); personal loans from LendingTree's analysis of closed personal loans on its marketplace (Q1 2026, loan amounts $5,000 to $54,999 and terms of 36 to 83 months). Because these sources band by different credit-scoring models, the same score may fall in different tiers depending on the product. Credit card tiers are illustrative estimates throughout; no comparable published tier table exists for revolving card APR. Tiers marked * are estimates rather than published figures, shown so the calculator can display a result where the underlying source publishes no tier at all. myFICO publishes no mortgage tier below 620, and most lenders decline at that level. Marketplace and survey averages reflect the borrowers and lenders in each source rather than the national market as a whole, and rates change over time. This is an illustration, not an offer of credit or a rate quote, and no result is guaranteed. No credit repair company can promise a specific score change.

This free tool gives a general estimate based on what you enter. The Credit Pros makes no representations or guarantees about any outcome.

What do you need the money for?

Start with the cheapest fast money

  1. Ask your bank or credit union about a small-dollar loan first.
  2. Prequalify with online lenders. It uses a soft pull, so your score does not change.
  3. Avoid payday and title loans if you can. They can cost 400% APR or more.

Read next

  • Soft pull

    prequalifying does not change your score

  • 400%

    APR or more on a typical payday loan

  • No one

    can guarantee loan approval. Walk away from anyone who does

Can I get a loan with my score?

What lenders do at the score you have today.

Guides for personal loans

Start where you are. Everything here is free to read.

Just learning

The basics of personal loans

Making a plan

Tools and plans you can use today

Ready for help

When you want us to handle it

Every personal loans guide

Common questions

Can I get a personal loan with a 500 credit score?

Some lenders approve scores in the 500s, usually with high rates or collateral. Prequalify first so you see the rate without a hard inquiry.

Are guaranteed approval loans real?

No legitimate lender guarantees approval. Ads that promise it are usually payday, title or advance-fee offers.

Will a personal loan help my credit?

It can, if you pay on time. It adds an installment account and a record of payments.

More credit help

See your credit through a lender’s eyes.

Get your free credit review to see where you stand. This is a soft credit pull, so it won’t impact your score.

Start your free reviewor call (800) 411-3050