New York Prejudgment Interest Rate
United States New York’s prejudgment interest rate — when a court awards it.
Set by statute Fixed by statute
New York prejudgment interest is 9% per year, as simple interest under N.Y. C.P.L.R. 5004. Prejudgment (pre-verdict) interest under CPLR 5001 is available AS OF RIGHT only for (1) breach of contract and (2) an "act or omission depriving or otherwise interfering with title to, or…
When New York prejudgment interest applies
Prejudgment (pre-verdict) interest under CPLR 5001 is available AS OF RIGHT only for (1) breach of contract and (2) an "act or omission depriving or otherwise interfering with title to, or possession or enjoyment of, property" (i.e., property-damage/conversion/many economic torts). It is thus effectively limited to liquidated or ascertainable pecuniary damages. In actions "of an equitable nature," interest and its rate/accrual date are DISCRETIONARY with the court (CPLR 5001(a)).
When it starts accruing
Interest is computed "from the earliest ascertainable date the cause of action existed" (CPLR 5001(b)); for damages incurred later, from the date incurred; where damages arose at various times, interest may be computed on each item from its date or on all damages from "a single reasonable intermediate date." The…
Simple or compound
Simple.
→ Compare with the New York post-judgment interest rate (interest after judgment)
Prejudgment interest under N.Y. C.P.L.R. 5004 — 9% (simple interest). This is PREjudgment interest (accruing before entry of judgment) and is separate from New York’s post-judgment rate; availability is limited by claim type (see the page). Verify against the statute text. Not legal advice.
Effective-date history
| Effective date | Rate | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| July 9, 2026 | 9% | Statute |
Source & provenance
Latest value retrieved July 10, 2026 (02:55 UTC) from the official source:
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CVP/5004