Federal Post-Judgment Interest Calculator
Calculate interest on federal court judgments pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1961.
Weekly average 1-year constant maturity Treasury yield.
Duration:
0 Days
Total Accrued Interest:
$0.00
Total Amount Due:
$0.00
Effective Annual Compounding:
Yes (28 U.S.C. § 1961)
Understanding Federal Post-Judgment Interest
When a monetary judgment is entered in a United States district court, interest begins to accrue on that amount until it is satisfied. This process is governed by 28 U.S.C. § 1961, which standardizes the calculation method across federal jurisdictions to ensure fairness and predictability.
How the Rate is Determined
Unlike state courts which may use fixed statutory percentages, federal post-judgment interest rates fluctuate based on market conditions. The specific rate used is the weekly average 1-year constant maturity Treasury yield, as published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, for the calendar week preceding the date of the judgment.
The Calculation Formula
Federal law requires that interest be compounded annually. The calculator above utilizes the standard compounding formula adapted for the specific time duration:
- Principal (P): The total money judgment entered by the court.
- Rate (r): The specific Treasury yield percentage.
- Time (n): The number of years (and fractional years) between the judgment date and the payment date.
Mathematically, the total amount due is calculated as A = P(1 + r)n.
How to Find Your Specific Rate
To use this calculator accurately, you must locate the specific Treasury yield for the week prior to your judgment date. You can find this data on the Federal Reserve's H.15 release or via the United States Courts website under "Post-Judgment Interest Rates."