Court Judgment Interest Calculator
Calculate post-judgment interest on an unpaid court judgment: per-diem interest, accrued interest and the payoff amount by days or between two dates, with state statutory rates, the federal 28 U.S.C. §1961 rule (compounded yearly), court costs and partial payments applied to interest first.
How it works
Per-diem = balance × (rate ÷ 365) · Simple interest = per-diem × days · Compounded yearly (federal 28 U.S.C. §1961, Colorado, Kentucky, Texas): unpaid interest is added to the balance on each anniversary of the judgment · Payments go to accrued interest first, then costs, then principal · Total = principal + costs + interest − payments
When a court enters a money judgment that the losing side does not pay, interest accrues on the unpaid balance at a rate set by statute. Most U.S. states use simple interest on the judgment principal: a daily rate (the annual rate ÷ 365) times the number of days it stays unpaid. A few states, and federal courts, compound the interest once a year, so from each anniversary the unpaid interest earns interest too. Federal judgments use the weekly average 1-year Treasury yield for the week before the judgment; Florida resets its rate every quarter and Texas ties it to the prime rate. Pick your state’s statutory rate or enter your own, then count the days or give the judgment date and the pay-off date. Under More options you can add court costs and fees awarded with the judgment and list partial payments. Payments are applied the usual way — to accrued interest first, then costs, then principal — and interest after each payment runs on the lower balance. The yearly table and the payment ledger show how the balance builds, and the per-diem figure lets a creditor or debtor state the exact amount owed on any day.
Worked example
A $25,000 judgment at an 8% statutory rate accrues 25,000 × 0.08 ÷ 365 = $5.48 per day. Left unpaid for 365 days it grows by $2,000 to $27,000. In federal court at a 4.49% Treasury rate compounded yearly, two years would add $1,122.50 in the first year and 4.49% of $26,122.50 = $1,172.90 in the second, for $27,295.40.
Sources: 28 U.S.C. §1961 — Interest on federal judgments · U.S. Courts — Post-judgment interest rate · Florida CFO — Judgment interest rates · California Code of Civil Procedure §685.010 · New York CPLR §5004
Frequently asked questions
Is judgment interest simple or compound?
Most states apply simple interest to the judgment amount. Federal courts (28 U.S.C. §1961) compound it yearly, as do Colorado, Kentucky and Texas. Choose your state or set the method under “Enter a rate”.
What rate applies to my judgment?
The post-judgment rate is set by state statute or, in federal cases, by the 1-year Treasury yield for the week before judgment. It ranges from about 6% to 12% in fixed-rate states, and some states use a variable rate that is fixed on the judgment date or reset each year. A contract can set a different rate in many states.
How are partial payments applied?
Usually to accrued interest first, then to costs, and only then to principal. Enter each payment with its date (or day number) and the calculator reduces the balance in that order, so interest after a payment runs on what is left.
When does interest start accruing?
Post-judgment interest generally runs from the date the judgment is entered until it is paid in full. Pre-judgment interest for the period before judgment is a separate claim.
Does interest accrue on court costs and attorney fees?
In most courts, costs and fees awarded in the judgment bear interest like the rest of it. Turn the option off if your court treats them separately.
Related calculators
Educational estimate only — not legal, tax or financial advice. Actual settlements, awards and payoffs depend on the facts, jurisdiction and negotiation. Consult a licensed attorney.