Judgment Interest Calculator - California

For most unpaid money judgments in California, the post-judgment interest rate in 2026 remains ten percent (10%) per year simple interest under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 685.010(a)(1). That rate applies to the outstanding principal while the judgment is unsatisfied unless a different category controls. A five percent (5%) annual rate applies under § 685.010(a)(2)(A) only for qualifying judgments entered on or after January 1, 2023, when the claim involves personal debt with principal under fifty thousand dollars or medical expense debt with principal under two hundred thousand dollars within the statute's definitions. Judgments against California government entities use seven percent (7%) under Cal. Const. art. XV, § 1. Always read your judgment and the underlying claim type before quoting a rate to a debtor or court.

California post-judgment interest is simple interest on the unpaid principal unless a court order or renewal changes the balance. The planning formula is Interest = Principal × Annual Rate × Years. For partial periods, many practitioners use daily accrual: Daily Interest = (Principal × Annual Rate) ÷ 365. At the default ten percent rate, a fifty thousand dollar principal produces five thousand dollars per year in interest before payments. Example: fifty thousand dollars at ten percent for two years equals ten thousand dollars in interest ($50,000 × 0.10 × 2). TheLegalCalc's Judgment Interest Calculator uses the same simple-interest math with the rate and years you enter. Partial satisfaction, renewed principal, and category changes under § 685.010(a)(2)(A) can change the base amount.

Under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 685.020(a), post-judgment interest on a money judgment generally begins accruing from the date of entry of the judgment. That is the date the judgment is entered on the court register, which may differ from the trial date, hearing date, or the date you received a proposed statement of decision. Creditors should confirm the exact entry date on the judgment form and docket before calculating interest periods. Pre-judgment interest, if any, is governed by separate contract or statutory authority and does not replace § 685.020(a) for post-judgment accrual. If the defendant pays part of the principal after entry, interest typically runs on the remaining unsatisfied balance going forward unless the order states otherwise.

California's default post-judgment framework under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 685.010 is expressed as a simple annual rate on the principal amount of the money judgment. That means routine enforcement planning treats interest as accruing on unpaid principal, not on interest added to principal each compounding period. Renewal and payment credit rules under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 683.120 can change what balance bears interest after a renewal, so review any renewal order carefully. This calculator models simple interest only and does not compound accrued interest into principal each month or quarter. If you need a court-ready figure, compare your docket balance with counsel and any accounting required by the judgment.

Post-judgment interest under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 685.010 can continue while principal remains unpaid, but collection rights are not unlimited. Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 683.020 makes a money judgment enforceable for ten years from the date of entry unless renewed under § 683.120 and related statutes. If you fail to renew in time, you may lose enforcement tools even though interest concepts applied earlier. Interest planning therefore requires tracking both the rate category in § 685.010 and the renewal calendar in §§ 683.020 and 683.120. Abstracts of judgment, writs, and levies should be coordinated with courts.ca.gov self-help guidance or an attorney. Do not assume interest accrual alone preserves enforceability after year ten.

Parties may negotiate settlements that forgive some or all post-judgment interest, subject to capacity, fraud rules, and bankruptcy law. A judgment may also reflect an agreed rate for prejudgment interest that differs from post-judgment treatment. Courts can affect collection through satisfaction of judgment, stays, or other orders. Any waiver or settlement should state clearly whether post-judgment interest under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 685.010 stops on the payment date and whether the release covers costs and attorney fees. This calculator does not provide legal advice on waivers. Document agreements in writing and consult a California attorney before crediting a partial payment or filing a satisfaction if interest is disputed.