Calculate the interest that accrues on a court judgment from the judgment date until payment. Essential for legal professionals, judgment creditors, and anyone dealing with court judgments.
Enter the original judgment amount
Enter the statutory or agreed interest rate
Date when the judgment was entered
Date when payment was made, or leave blank for today
Post-judgment interest is interest that accrues on a court judgment from the date the judgment is entered until the judgment is fully paid. This interest is designed to compensate the judgment creditor for the time value of money and to encourage prompt payment of judgments.
Unlike pre-judgment interest (which may be awarded for the period before judgment), post-judgment interest is typically mandatory and calculated at a statutory rate set by federal or state law. The rate varies by jurisdiction and may change over time.
Post-judgment interest ensures that judgment creditors are compensated for the delay in receiving payment, making it important to calculate accurately for both creditors and debtors.
Post-judgment interest is calculated using simple interest:
Interest = Principal × Rate × (Days / 365)
Principal = Original judgment amount
Rate = Annual interest rate (as a decimal)
Days = Number of days from judgment date to payment date
Our calculator automatically applies this formula to give you accurate interest calculations based on the dates and rates you provide.
Post-judgment interest rates are typically set by statute and vary by jurisdiction:
Federal judgments use the federal post-judgment interest rate, which is based on the weekly average 1-year constant maturity Treasury yield. This rate is updated regularly and published by the Federal Reserve.
State judgments use state-specific statutory rates. These rates vary widely, typically ranging from 4% to 10% annually. Some states use fixed rates, while others use variable rates tied to market conditions.
⚠️ Important: Always verify the applicable interest rate for your specific jurisdiction and judgment type. Rates may change over time, and different types of judgments may have different rates.
Judgment amount: $5,000
Interest rate: 6% annually
Judgment date: January 1, 2023
Payment date: January 1, 2024
Interest accrued: $300.00
Total owed: $5,300.00
Judgment amount: $50,000
Interest rate: 8% annually
Judgment date: June 15, 2022
Payment date: December 15, 2023
Interest accrued: $6,027.40
Total owed: $56,027.40
Interest rates vary by jurisdiction and may change over time. Always verify the current statutory rate for your specific jurisdiction and judgment type before calculating interest.
Some jurisdictions use variable interest rates that change periodically. If the rate changed during the interest period, you may need to calculate interest in segments using different rates.
If partial payments were made, interest calculations become more complex. Interest typically continues to accrue on the remaining balance after each payment.
For important legal matters, always consult with qualified legal counsel. This calculator provides estimates and should not replace professional legal advice.
No, post-judgment interest is typically calculated using simple interest, not compound interest. The interest is calculated on the original judgment amount only, not on previously accrued interest.
Post-judgment interest stops accruing when the judgment is fully paid. If partial payments are made, interest continues to accrue on the remaining balance until it is fully paid.
In some cases, parties may agree to a different interest rate than the statutory rate. However, such agreements must be in writing and comply with applicable laws. The statutory rate applies unless otherwise agreed.
Statutory interest rates are typically found in state or federal statutes. You can check with your state's judicial website, legal research databases, or consult with an attorney familiar with your jurisdiction's laws.
If the statutory rate changed during the interest period, you may need to calculate interest in segments, applying the appropriate rate to each time period. Some jurisdictions have specific rules for handling rate changes.
Use our post-judgment interest calculator to determine the exact interest that has accrued on your judgment. Whether you're a judgment creditor seeking payment or a debtor planning to satisfy a judgment, accurate interest calculations are essential.
