California Judgment Interest Calculator

Calculate exactly how much your judgment is worth today. California awards 10% annual simple interest from the date of entry.

How California Judgment Interest Works

Interest accrues at 10% per year (simple interest, not compound) from the date the judgment is entered. This rate is set by statute and cannot be negotiated. Interest continues until the judgment is paid in full or expires.

Enter Judgment Details

Partial Payments (Optional)

No payments recorded. Add payments to see their impact on the balance.

Amount Owed

Total Balance Due
$0.00
Original Judgment $0.00
Days Elapsed 0
Interest Accrued (10%/yr) $0.00
Payments Applied $0.00
Interest accruing daily
$0.00/day

Legal Authority

California Code of Civil Procedure § 685.010 sets the judgment interest rate at 10% per annum.

This rate applies to all money judgments unless a contract specifies a different rate (which cannot exceed 10% for consumer debts).

When Interest Starts

Interest begins accruing on the date the judgment is entered by the court clerk, not the date of trial or hearing.

Check your judgment for the "Date Entered" stamp - that's your start date.

Simple vs. Compound

California uses simple interest, not compound. Interest is calculated only on the original principal, not on accumulated interest.

Interest = Principal × 0.10 × (Days ÷ 365)

Payment Application

Under CCP § 685.050, payments are applied first to accrued costs, then to accrued interest, then to principal.

This calculator applies payments to interest first, then principal.

Judgment Renewal

Judgments are enforceable for 10 years and can be renewed for additional 10-year periods. Interest continues accruing through renewal.

Learn about judgment renewal

Add Costs Too

You can also recover enforcement costs (filing fees, service fees, sheriff fees) by filing a Memorandum of Costs.

Learn about cost recovery

$240 /hour

Need Help Collecting Your Judgment?

I handle judgment enforcement throughout California - bank levies, wage garnishment, debtor examinations, and property liens.

Schedule a Call owner@terms.law