Calculate post-judgment and pre-judgment interest on court awards using statutory rates. Determine total interest owed on legal judgments.
When a court awards a money judgment, interest accrues on the unpaid amount. Post-judgment interest runs from the date of the judgment until paid, while pre-judgment interest may be awarded from the date the claim arose until the judgment date. Statutory rates vary by jurisdiction.
This calculator computes interest on a judgment based on the principal amount, the applicable statutory interest rate, and the number of days since the judgment (or since the cause of action accrued for pre-judgment interest). Understanding judgment interest ensures you collect—or pay—the correct total amount.
Federal post-judgment interest is set weekly based on the 1-year Treasury bill rate. State rates are set by statute and range from 4% to 12% per year. Some states use simple interest, others allow compound interest under certain circumstances.
Legal professionals, business owners, and individuals alike benefit from transparent interest on judgment calculations when evaluating obligations, settlements, or compliance requirements. Bookmark this page and return whenever circumstances change so you always have current figures at your fingertips.
Judgment interest can add significantly to a court award over time. This calculator ensures accurate computation of interest owed, whether you are the creditor collecting or the debtor paying a judgment. Instant recalculation as you change inputs lets you model multiple scenarios quickly, giving you the data foundation needed for well-informed legal and financial decisions.
Simple Interest = Principal × Annual Rate × Days / 365 Compound Interest = Principal × (1 + Rate/365)^Days − Principal Total Owed = Principal + Interest
Result: $8,136.99 interest — $108,136.99 total owed
Simple interest on $100,000 at 5.5% for 540 days = $100,000 × 0.055 × 540/365 = $8,136.99. Total owed = $108,136.99.
Federal courts apply 28 USC § 1961 using the Treasury bill rate. State rates are statutory: California uses 10% for contracts (7% for non-contracts), New York uses 9%, Texas uses 5% (or the contract rate), and Florida uses the prime rate plus a premium.
Judgment creditors should include accrued interest in all collection efforts, writs of execution, and garnishment orders. Debtors who delay payment owe increasingly large amounts as interest compounds (or accumulates for simple interest).
High statutory interest rates create incentive for prompt payment. If the rate exceeds market borrowing costs, the judgment debtor benefits from paying (or refinancing) the judgment quickly. Creditors benefit from delay when statutory rates are favorable.
The federal rate is based on the weekly average 1-year constant maturity Treasury yield, rounded to the nearest 0.01%. It changes each week. As of early 2026, rates have ranged from approximately 4–5.5%. Check the U.S. Courts website for the current rate.
Pre-judgment interest runs from the date the claim accrued (or demand was made) to the date of judgment. Post-judgment interest runs from the judgment date until the judgment is fully paid. Different rates may apply to each period.
Most jurisdictions use simple interest for judgment interest. However, some states allow compound interest in certain circumstances, particularly for contractual claims where the contract specified compounding.
Statutory interest rates are set by law and cannot be negotiated. However, in settlement discussions, parties can agree to any amount. If the judgment debtor pays promptly, less interest accrues.
Yes, post-judgment interest continues to accrue while a judgment is on appeal. The appellant may post a supersedeas bond (typically 100–150% of the judgment plus interest) to stay execution during the appeal.
Each payment is first applied to accrued interest, then to the principal balance. Future interest accrues only on the remaining principal. Track each payment with date and amount for accurate accounting.