Delaware prejudgment interest rate
United States Delaware prejudgment interest — a formula rate, reset periodically.
→ All Delaware judgment & prejudgment interest rates
Statutory formula / table Formula rate
2026 Delaware prejudgment interest at a glance
- Current rate
- 9.00% per year
- Effective date
- September 17, 2026
- Controlling authority
- 6 Del. C. § 2301(a), (d)
- Rate basis
- Statutory formula / table
- Source checked
- September 27, 2026
- Recorded history
- 2 data points
Delaware’s recorded legal-rate observation is 9.00% beginning September 17, 2026 under 6 Del. C. §2301(a). Entitlement and the date from which interest is due remain claim-specific. A contract can supply a different pre-judgment rate, and §2301(d) creates a separate tort settlement-demand branch.
When Delaware prejudgment interest applies
Delaware decisions commonly award prejudgment interest on money due in contract matters, but the claim, obligation, and legally relevant due date still control. Section 2301(d) separately conditions tort interest on a qualifying written settlement demand and final award. This page does not describe either branch as automatic for every civil claim.
When it starts accruing
From the date of breach / the date payment became due (when the money should have been paid). Tort compensatory damages under § 2301(d): from the date of injury, but only if the qualifying written settlement demand (valid 30+ days, below the final award) was made.
Simple or compound
Delaware generally disfavors compound interest absent an express contract or statutory basis, but the governing obligation and specialized proceeding must be checked before calculating.
How the rate is set
The legal rate is the Federal Reserve discount rate, including any surcharge, plus five percentage points, measured as of the time from which interest is due. The current displayed observation is 9.00% effective September 17, 2026.
→ Compare with the Delaware post-judgment interest rate (interest after judgment)
Delaware’s general legal-rate reference became 9.00% on September 17, 2026 when the Federal Reserve primary-credit rate became 4.00%; §2301 adds five points. Prejudgment entitlement and the separate §2301(d) tort settlement-demand conditions remain claim-specific. Reference only; not legal advice.
Effective-date history
| Effective date | Rate | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| September 17, 2026 | 9.00% | Statute |
| July 9, 2026 | 8.75% | Statute |
Source & provenance
Observation recorded September 27, 2026 (16:07 UTC) from the cited source (Delaware General Assembly, Delaware Courts, and Federal Reserve Board (official)):
https://delcode.delaware.gov/title6/c023/
Cite this page
StatuteRates. “Delaware Prejudgment Interest Rate.” StatuteRates.com. Accessed today. https://statuterates.com/rates/delaware-prejudgment-rate/ Rate recorded under 6 Del. C. § 2301(a), (d), effective September 17, 2026.