Ohio Prejudgment Interest Rate
United States Ohio prejudgment interest — the same rate as its post-judgment interest.
Set by statute Same rate as post-judgment
Ohio applies the same rate to prejudgment interest as to post-judgment interest — currently 7% per year under Ohio Rev. Code 1343.03. Two distinct tracks. (1) CONTRACT / LIQUIDATED claims under ORC 1343.03(A): prejudgment interest is a matter of RIGHT (not discretionary) on money due and payable upon a written contract,…
When Ohio prejudgment interest applies
Two distinct tracks. (1) CONTRACT / LIQUIDATED claims under ORC 1343.03(A): prejudgment interest is a matter of RIGHT (not discretionary) on money due and payable upon a written contract, book account, settlement, or other instrument of writing — the creditor is entitled to interest at the 1343.03(A) statutory rate (or the contract rate if the written contract provides one). Ohio case law (Royal Elec. Constr.
When it starts accruing
Contract/liquidated (1343.03(A)): interest accrues from the date the money became due and payable (e.g., breach/when payment was owed). Tort (1343.03(C)(1)): if awarded, interest is computed from the date the cause of action accrued (for cases of admitted/deliberate liability) or, otherwise, from the earlier of (a)…
Simple or compound
Simple interest.
How the rate is set
Federal short-term rate (IRC 1274) for July, rounded to nearest whole percent, plus 3% = statutory rate for the following calendar year (ORC 5703.47). Same as post-judgment rate. 2026 rate = 7%.
→ Compare with the Ohio post-judgment interest rate (interest after judgment)
Prejudgment interest under Ohio Rev. Code 1343.03 — 7% (simple interest). This is PREjudgment interest (accruing before entry of judgment) and is separate from Ohio’s post-judgment rate; availability is limited by claim type (see the page). Current formula value as of 2026-01-01; verify at codes.ohio.gov. Not legal advice.
Effective-date history
| Effective date | Rate | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | 7% | Statute |
Source & provenance
Latest value retrieved July 10, 2026 (02:55 UTC) from the official source:
https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-1343.03