Calculate post-judgment interest on court awards by state. See daily/monthly accrual, compare simple vs compound, and review state statutory rates.
Post-judgment interest accrues on court judgments from the date of entry until the judgment is fully satisfied. Every U.S. state — and the federal system — establishes a statutory interest rate that applies to unsatisfied judgments, ranging from as low as 2% (Nebraska) to 12% (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington).
For federal court judgments, the rate is based on the weekly average 1-year Treasury rate at the time of entry. State rates vary dramatically: California, Arizona, and Kansas set 10%, while Texas, Ohio, and Iowa use 5%. These differences mean that the same $50,000 judgment can generate anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000 per year in interest, depending on jurisdiction.
This calculator computes post-judgment interest for any jurisdiction with both simple and compound interest methods. The daily and monthly accrual figures help attorneys prepare payoff demands, while the state comparison table provides quick reference across all 50 states. Check the example with realistic values before reporting.
Attorneys preparing payoff demand letters need exact interest figures. Debtors assessing their total obligation need to understand how interest accumulates. And anyone negotiating a judgment settlement must know the penalty for delay. This calculator gives you precise daily, monthly, and annual accrual across all U.S. jurisdictions. Keep these notes focused on your operational context.
Simple: Interest = Principal × Rate × Years. Compound: Interest = Principal × ((1 + Rate)^Years − 1). Daily Accrual = Principal × Rate / 365. Most states use simple interest; some jurisdictions allow compound interest.
Result: Rate: 10% — Interest: $15,000 — Total: $65,000 — Daily: $13.70
A $50,000 judgment in California at the 10% statutory rate accrues $15,000 over 3 years (simple interest), for a total obligation of $65,000. The daily accrual is $13.70 — every day of delay adds to the debtor's burden.
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Post-judgment interest is the interest that accrues on a court judgment from the date it is entered until it is fully paid. It compensates the prevailing party for the time value of money during the collection period. Rates are set by statute and vary by jurisdiction.
The federal rate is based on the weekly average 1-year constant maturity Treasury yield, set in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 1961. It changes weekly and typically ranges from 3-5% in recent years. For the current rate, check the Federal Reserve statistical releases.
Most jurisdictions use simple interest for post-judgment calculations. However, some states (like New York for certain types of judgments) may allow or require compound interest. Always verify the method specified in your jurisdiction's statutes.
Post-judgment interest begins on the date of entry of the judgment, not the date of verdict or the date of the underlying incident. If the judgment is appealed and affirmed, interest typically runs from the original entry date.
The statutory rate applies unless the parties agree to different terms. In settlement negotiations, parties may agree to waive or reduce post-judgment interest, especially for prompt payment. Contract-based judgments may specify a different rate in the underlying agreement.
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington all have 12% statutory rates — the highest among U.S. states. Nebraska (2.082%) and Nevada (3.25%) have among the lowest. The median state rate is approximately 7-8%.