Small Claims Court Amount Calculator
Calculate small claims court total from damages and filing fees by US state.
Returns whether it fits the state limit ($2,500-$25,000) and total owed.
Small Claims Court allows individuals to sue for relatively small amounts without needing a lawyer. Each US state has different maximum claim limits and filing fees.
Total claim calculation:
Total Claim = Original Damages + Prejudgment Interest + Filing Fee
Prejudgment interest is the interest owed from the date the debt was due until the court date.
Interest = Principal × (Annual Rate / 365) × Days Overdue
Most states allow prejudgment interest at a statutory rate (commonly 5-10% per year).
US state small claims limits (selected examples):
- California: $10,000 (individuals), $5,000 (businesses)
- New York: $10,000 ($5,000 in town/village courts)
- Texas: $20,000
- Florida: $8,000
- Illinois: $10,000
- Pennsylvania: $12,000
- Ohio: $6,000
- Georgia: $15,000
- Michigan: $6,500
- Washington: $10,000
Filing fees vary by state and claim amount:
- Small claims under $1,500: typically $30-75
- Claims $1,500-$5,000: typically $50-100
- Claims $5,000-$10,000: typically $75-200
What you can claim:
- Unpaid debts or loans
- Property damage
- Breach of contract (written or verbal)
- Security deposit disputes
- Defective products or poor services
- Personal injury (minor)
What you cannot claim in small claims:
- Amounts above your state maximum
- Libel, slander, or defamation (in most states)
- Class action lawsuits
- Claims against the federal government
Important note: If your claim exceeds the small claims limit, you can either reduce your claim to fit, or file in a higher court (which typically requires an attorney). This calculator provides general estimates only and is not legal advice.