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Post-Judgment Interest Calculator
Estimate post-judgment interest on court awards. Compare simple vs compound math, daily accrual, and jurisdiction-sensitive payoff scenarios.
$
%
yrs
Applicable Rate⧉
10%
California statutory rate
Accrued Interest⧉
$15,000.00
Over 3 years (simple)
Total Owed⧉
$65,000.00
Judgment + interest
Daily Accrual⧉
$13.70
Interest per day
Monthly Accrual⧉
$416.67
Interest per month
Interest as % of Judgment⧉
30%
Penalty above original amount
Accumulation Over Time
| Year | Simple Interest | Total (Simple) | Compound Interest | Total (Compound) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5,000.00 | $55,000.00 | $5,000.00 | $55,000.00 |
| 2 | $10,000.00 | $60,000.00 | $10,500.00 | $60,500.00 |
| 3 | $15,000.00 | $65,000.00 | $16,550.00 | $66,550.00 |
State Rate Comparison
| State | Rate | Interest (3yr) | Total Owed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 12% | $18,000.00 | $68,000.00 |
| Rhode Island | 12% | $18,000.00 | $68,000.00 |
| Vermont | 12% | $18,000.00 | $68,000.00 |
| Washington | 12% | $18,000.00 | $68,000.00 |
| Arizona | 10% | $15,000.00 | $65,000.00 |
| Arkansas | 10% | $15,000.00 | $65,000.00 |
| California | 10% | $15,000.00 | $65,000.00 |
| Alaska | 3.75% | $5,625.00 | $55,625.00 |
| Nevada | 3.25% | $4,875.00 | $54,875.00 |
| Nebraska | 2.082% | $3,123.00 | $53,123.00 |
Planning notes, formulas, and examples
About the Post-Judgment Interest Calculator
Post-judgment interest accrues on a court judgment from the date it is entered until it is paid in full. The applicable rate depends on the jurisdiction, and it can change the payoff amount materially over time.
Federal judgments use a Treasury-based rate, while state judgments rely on statutory rates that vary widely and can change by statute or court order. A judgment that sits unpaid for several years can pick up meaningful extra cost even when the underlying principal does not change.
This calculator shows simple or compound post-judgment interest, daily and monthly accrual, and the total amount due so you can estimate the payoff amount for a given jurisdiction. Use it as a scenario aid, then confirm the governing statute or judgment order before quoting a payoff amount.
When This Page Helps
Use this calculator when you need a payoff figure that includes judgment interest, not just the original award. It is useful for demand letters, settlement talks, and rough payoff checks, but the governing statute or judgment order still controls the real rate.
How to Use the Inputs
- Enter the judgment amount (principal only).
- Select the state or federal jurisdiction.
- Override with a custom rate if your court specified a different rate.
- Enter the number of years the judgment has been unpaid.
- Choose simple or compound interest method.
- Review daily accrual for payoff demand calculations.
- Compare rates across states in the reference table.
Formula used
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.Example Calculation
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.
Tips & Best Practices
- Post-judgment interest runs automatically — no separate motion or order is needed.
- Federal post-judgment interest is set weekly based on T-bill rates; check the Treasury website for the current rate.
- Some states allow the court to set a different rate — always check your specific judgment order.
- Pre-judgment interest may be different from post-judgment interest and requires separate calculation.
- Interest on state court judgments may differ from interest on federal court judgments in the same state.
- When negotiating settlements, quantify the daily accrual to create urgency — "your debt increases by $X every day."
Jurisdiction Rules
The rate and method depend on the court order and the governing statute, so confirm the correct jurisdiction before quoting a payoff amount.
Simple vs Compound
Most calculations use simple interest, but some jurisdictions or judgments require compound interest. The method changes the total quickly over multi-year periods.
Payoff Use
Daily accrual is the most useful number for settlement letters because it shows how much the obligation grows if payment is delayed.
Sources & Methodology
Last updated:
Methodology
This worksheet multiplies the entered judgment principal by either simple-interest or annual compounding math using the selected jurisdiction rate or a user override. It also shows a daily accrual figure by applying the annual rate to the principal and dividing by 365, and it builds a small year-by-year reference table from the same assumptions.
The built-in state table is only a planning reference. Actual post-judgment interest can depend on the governing statute, judgment date, court order, whether the judgment is federal or state, and whether a jurisdiction applies simple or compound interest in that specific context. Use the result as a payoff estimate, then verify the controlling authority before quoting a final number.
Sources
- Post Judgment Interest Rates (United States District Court for the District of Columbia) — Federal post-judgment interest under 28 U.S.C. § 1961 and related statutes.
- Post Judgment Interest Rate (Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts) — Federal post-judgment interest overview and rate-lookup instructions.
- Selected Interest Rates (Daily) - H.15 (Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) — 1-year Treasury constant maturity series used for federal post-judgment interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
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. Because it changes weekly, you need to check the current Treasury or Federal Reserve posting for the applicable week.
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.
State judgment interest rates vary materially and can change over time. Check the governing statute for the specific state and judgment type instead of relying on a national ranking.
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