Note: this calculator provides a general, informational estimate only — not legal advice and not a guarantee of any outcome. Confirm anything that matters against the current limit and your own figures before you file.
What Ontario's Small Claims Court Limit Actually Is
As of 2026, Ontario's Small Claims Court can hear claims up to $50,000. That limit covers the underlying amount you're claiming — not interest, court costs, or certain other add-ons, which are generally calculated separately. If your dispute is worth more than the limit, you still have options, but it's worth knowing where you stand before you invest time preparing a demand letter or a claim.
What Counts Toward the Limit
- The principal amount owed — the core value of what you're claiming, such as unpaid invoices, damages, or a deposit.
- Multiple claims against the same defendant — courts can look at whether related claims are being split up just to stay under the limit.
- What generally doesn't count — prejudgment interest and court costs are usually calculated and awarded on top of the limit, not counted against it. See the prejudgment interest calculator for a separate estimate of that figure.
If Your Claim Comes Out Over the Limit
If your figure exceeds the limit, you generally have two broad options: pursue the full amount in the Superior Court of Justice, which involves more formal procedure and higher costs, or reduce your claim to fit within Small Claims Court's limit in exchange for its faster, simpler process. See how much can I sue for? for the fuller explanation of that trade-off, and the small claims limit checker for a guided walkthrough of the same question.
Next Steps
Once you've confirmed your amount fits, the eligibility tool can check the rest of the gatekeeping questions — jurisdiction, timing, and dispute type — before you move on to the claim preparation checklist or start a claim.
Official sources
- ontario.ca: Suing Someone in Small Claims Court — the official overview, including the current monetary limit.
- Courts of Justice Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.43 — sets the Small Claims Court’s jurisdiction and the statutory framework for pre- and post-judgment interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this calculator free to use?
Yes — it's provided as a free informational tool, with no account or payment required.
What is Ontario's Small Claims Court limit?
As of 2026, Ontario's Small Claims Court can hear claims up to $50,000, not including interest and costs.
What if my claim is over the limit?
You can generally either pursue the full amount in the Superior Court of Justice, or reduce your claim to fit within Small Claims Court's limit in exchange for its faster, simpler process.
Do interest and costs count toward the limit?
Generally not — interest and costs are typically calculated and awarded separately from the monetary limit on the underlying claim.