Check if your dispute qualifies for small claims court and estimate total costs.
Small claims limits and fees change frequently. Verify current limits with your local court before filing. This is not legal advice — consult an attorney for your specific situation.
Small claims courts are designed for self-represented people, but every state caps how much you can sue for — from $2,500 (Rhode Island) up to $25,000 (Delaware, Georgia, Tennessee), with most states between $5,000 and $10,000. If your dispute fits under the cap, you still pay filing and service fees out of pocket, and a contingency attorney typically takes 25-40% of the award. This calculator walks the pipeline from claim amount through the eligibility gate to net recovery: what you actually keep if you win, after fees. Understanding that math matters because a big claim can shrink fast once fees and attorneys are deducted.
The example follows a $6,000 claim in Texas ($20,000 limit): it clears the gate, then $100 of filing and service costs are deducted, leaving $5,900 net recovery if Dana wins. Some states let a prevailing plaintiff recover filing fees on top of the judgment.
Dana runs a catering business in Houston. A client refuses to pay a $6,000 invoice for a corporate event, so she is deciding whether to file in small claims court.
Is it worth taking to small claims court? Calculate damages, fees and state limits. Free.
The Small Claims Calculator answers two questions before you spend a dollar in court: does your dispute fit within your state's small claims limit, and what will winning actually leave in your pocket? It stores the current dollar cap for all 50 states plus Washington, DC, ranging from $2,500 in Kentucky and Rhode Island up to $25,000 in Delaware and Tennessee, and compares your dispute amount against it instantly. It then lines up the real costs of pursuing the claim: the filing fee (built-in defaults such as $30 in California, $46 in Texas, and $244 in Illinois), a service fee you enter, and optional attorney fees on a contingency percentage. The result panel totals those costs and projects your net recovery and return on court costs.
Landlords chasing unpaid rent, contractors chasing unpaid invoices, tenants chasing unreturned deposits, and anyone owed money by a person or small business. It is most valuable at the decision stage: a $6,000 claim in California qualifies for small claims, while the same amount in Kentucky exceeds the $2,500 cap and belongs in regular civil court, so knowing the split before drafting paperwork saves a rejected filing. Defendants facing a claim also gain a quick read on the plaintiff's likely net recovery after fees. The cost math matters for anyone weighing a contingency attorney at 25-40% against self-representation. This is planning information, not legal advice; court procedures and fee schedules vary by county, so confirm specifics with your local court before filing.
(1) Enter your dispute amount and select your state; the tool instantly shows that state's small claims limit and a green check or red flag telling you whether the amount qualifies, including by how much it exceeds the cap. (2) Adjust the cost inputs: override the default filing fee with your court's actual charge, enter the process-server or sheriff service fee, and optionally switch on attorney representation with a contingency percentage (33% by default) to see legal fees deducted. (3) Read the breakdown: total court costs, projected net recovery if you win, and the ROI on every dollar spent going to court. When the claim exceeds the limit, the tool lists alternatives: regular civil court, trimming the claim to the cap, mediation, arbitration, or a demand letter.
Three of the higher caps illustrate how much this varies: Tennessee and Delaware allow $25,000, Texas $20,000, while Georgia, Minnesota, and North Dakota sit at $15,000. If your amount is over the line, you have four practical routes, each shown by the calculator when it flags an over-limit claim: file in regular civil court where limits disappear but procedure gets formal; reduce the claim to your state's cap and waive the excess, a common tactic for cost-sensitive plaintiffs; pursue mediation or arbitration instead; or send a demand letter first, since many disputes settle once the number is in writing. A standing tips panel covers hearing day: bring receipts, contracts, photos, and text messages, dress professionally, and rehearse a tight two-to-three-minute presentation of the facts.
Small claims limits range from $2,500 (Kentucky) to $25,000 (Delaware, Tennessee). Filing fees run $30-$100. Factor in your time (2-4 hours for hearing), service-of-process costs ($20-$75), and collection difficulty. This tool calculates whether your net recovery justifies filing based on your state's specific limit and fees.
Most states prohibit or discourage attorneys in small claims (California, Michigan ban them entirely). The process is designed for self-representation: you present evidence, witnesses, and documentation directly to a judge. This tool helps you assess case strength and estimate recovery, which is the analysis a lawyer would charge $200-$400 to provide.
What do you call a crab that plays baseball?
No paywalls, no signups, no data sold. Built by a solo developer who believes useful tools should be accessible to everyone.
☕Support me on Ko-fi— keep tools free100% of proceeds go towards hosting & building more free tools.