## California interest rules

This source-backed guide covers US-CA interest authority (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 685.010; Cal. Civ. Code §§ 3287-3289). It certifies only the quoted source-backed rules below; related interest categories remain outside this page unless they are expressly listed in the receipt.

## Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 685.010; Cal. Civ. Code §§ 3287-3289

US-CA interest controlling authority under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 685.010; Cal. Civ. Code §§ 3287-3289.

> **685.010.** 685.010. (a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), interest accrues at the rate of 10 percent per annum on the principal amount of a money judgment remaining unsatisfied. (2) (A) For judgments entered on or after January 1, 2023, or where an application for renewal of judgment is filed on or afte

## Use the calculator

DocketMath's interest calculator can model interest scenarios once you identify the controlling jurisdiction, amount, rate type, and accrual date. Use the source panel for the verified source-backed rule.

[Open the Interest calculator](/tools/interest)

## Sources

- [685.010 — Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 685.010; Cal. Civ. Code §§ 3287-3289](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&sectionNum=685.010)

All sources are official primary law published by `leginfo.legislature.ca.gov`.

**Corroboration method:** government_primary_source_direct_fetch.


Local rule variations that can change interest results in California.

How interest rules vary in California

Receipt-backed California interest surface. The current receipt certifies money-judgment interest with 5% exceptions, prejudgment-interest scope, discretionary noncontract interest, and post-breach contract interest only.

685.010. (a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), interest accrues at the rate of 10 percent per annum on the principal amount of a money judgment remaining unsatisfied. (2) (A) For judgments entered on or after January 1, 2023, or where an application for renewal of judgment is filed on or afte

(2) (A) For judgments entered on or after January 1, 2023, or where an application for renewal of judgment is filed on or after January 1, 2023, interest accrues at the rate of 5 percent per annum on the principal amount of a money judgment remaining unsatisfied in the following cases: (i) The principal amount of a money judgment of under two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) remaining unsatisfied against a debtor for a claim related to medical expenses. (ii) The principal amount of a money judgment of under fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) remaining unsatisfied against a debtor for a claim related to personal debt.

(a) A person who is entitled to recover damages certain, or capable of being made certain by calculation, and the right to recover which is vested in the person upon a particular day, is entitled also to recover interest thereon from that day, except when the debtor is prevented by law, or by the act of the creditor from paying the debt. This section is applicable to recovery of damages and interest from any debtor, including the state or any county, city, city and county, municipal corporation, public district, public agency, or any political subdivision of the state. (b) Every person who is entitled under any judgment to receive damages based upon a cause of action in contract where the claim was unliquidated, may also recover interest thereon from a date prior to the entry of judgment as the court may, in its discretion, fix, but in no event earlier than the date the action was filed.

In an action for the breach of an obligation not arising from contract, and in every case of oppression, fraud, or malice, interest may be given, in the discretion of the jury.

(a) Any legal rate of interest stipulated by a contract remains chargeable after a breach thereof, as before, until the contract is superseded by a verdict or other new obligation. (b) If a contract entered into after January 1, 1986, does not stipulate a legal rate of interest, the obligation shall bear interest at a rate of 10 percent per annum after a breach. For the purposes of this subdivision, the term contract shall not include a note secured by a deed of trust on real property.

If a contract entered into after January 1, 1986, does not stipulate a legal rate of interest, the obligation shall bear interest at a rate of 10 percent per annum after a breach.

(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), interest accrues at the rate of 10 percent per annum on the principal amount of a money judgment remaining unsatisfied. (2) (A) For judgments entered on or after January 1, 2023, or where an application for renewal of judgment is filed on or after January 1, 2023, interest accrues at the rate of 5 percent per annum on the principal amount of a money judgment remaining unsatisfied in the following cases: (i) The principal amount of a money judgment of under two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) remaining unsatisfied against a debtor for a claim related to medical expenses. (ii) The principal amount of a money judgment of under fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) remaining unsatisfied against a debtor for a claim related to personal debt.

interest in US-CA is governed by Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 685.010; Cal. Civ. Code §§ 3287-3289.

For California interest pages, use Code of Civil Procedure section 685.010 for money-judgment interest, Civil Code section 3287 for prejudgment interest on certain damages and unliquidated contract damages, Civil Code section 3288 for discretionary noncontract interest, and Civil Code section 3289 for post-breach contract interest when no legal rate is stipulated.

How interest rules vary in California

Current verified answer

Authority and key facts

California interest rules

Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 685.010; Cal. Civ. Code §§ 3287-3289

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