The rule in Arkansas
The small claims limit in Arkansas is $5,000. The rule is Arkansas Judiciary court structure chart; the Arkansas Judiciary, Arkansas Court Structure puts it this way: “up to $5,000”. The court that hears these cases: District court small claims division.
Among the 51 jurisdictions with a verified figure on this site, Arkansas ranks 40th from the top. That is $5,000 below the median of $10,000. It is 2 times Kentucky's $2,500 floor and 20% of the $25,000 top figure. 9 other verified jurisdictions use the same $5,000 figure, including Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii and Louisiana.
Next door, Louisiana allows $5,000, Mississippi allows $3,500, Missouri allows $5,000, Oklahoma allows $10,000, Tennessee allows $25,000 and Texas allows $20,000. A claim of $5,000 that fits in Arkansas would be $1,500 over the line in Mississippi. Tennessee goes $20,000 further, so a dispute worth $25,000 could stay in small claims there but not in Arkansas.
Worked check against the $5,000 figure: a $2,500 claim uses 50% of the limit and leaves $2,500 of room; a claim of exactly $5,000 still fits, because the rule caps the amount rather than excluding it; a claim of $5,001 is $1 over.
The source checked for Arkansas does not publish a statewide filing fee, so this page shows none; the clerk of the court where the case is filed posts the current amount.
Deposit disputes are a common small claims case. Arkansas caps deposits at 2 months' rent (landlords who rent six or more dwellings) (deposit rules), so a claim for a full deposit stays under the $5,000 limit whenever the monthly rent is $2,500 or less.
Source: Arkansas Judiciary, Arkansas Court Structure · Arkansas Judiciary court structure chart · last checked October 20, 2026.
Where the case goes
A claim within the limit is filed with the District court small claims division. The linked source is the place to confirm forms, the filing fee and where to file before starting; the guides on filing a small claims case and serving the papers explain the usual steps in general terms.
Questions
What is the small claims limit in Arkansas?
$5,000, under Arkansas Judiciary court structure chart. Checked October 20, 2026.
Do interest and costs count toward the Arkansas limit?
The wording quoted from the source (“up to $5,000”) does not address it; the court clerk can say how the court counts them.
How much does it cost to file a small claim in Arkansas?
The source checked does not publish a statewide fee; the clerk of the court where the case is filed posts it.