Ohio prejudgment interest rate
United States Ohio prejudgment interest — the same rate as its post-judgment interest.
→ All Ohio judgment & prejudgment interest rates
Statutory formula / table Same rate as post-judgment
2026 Ohio prejudgment interest at a glance
- Current rate
- 7% per year
- Effective date
- January 1, 2026
- Controlling authority
- Ohio Rev. Code 1343.03
- Rate basis
- Statutory formula / table
- Source checked
- July 9, 2026
- Recorded history
- 1 data point
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.
When Ohio prejudgment interest applies
Two distinct tracks. Under ORC 1343.03(A), a creditor is entitled to interest when money becomes due and payable on a written instrument, book account, settlement, verbal contract, or other covered obligation; a written contract can provide a different rate. Tort actions follow the separate §1343.03(C) conditions, including the court's post-verdict good-faith-settlement findings.
When it starts accruing
For a covered §1343.03(A) obligation, interest starts when the money becomes due and payable. For a qualifying tort award under §1343.03(C)(1), admitted-liability and deliberate-harm cases can run from accrual of the cause of action; other cases use the longer qualifying period measured from written notice or filing through judgment. Division (C)(2) excludes future damages.
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.
Current recorded observation
| Effective date | Rate | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | 7% | Statute |
Source & provenance
Observation recorded July 9, 2026 (00:00 UTC) from the cited source (Ohio — codes.ohio.gov):
https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-1343.03
Cite this page
StatuteRates. “Ohio Prejudgment Interest Rate.” StatuteRates.com. Accessed today. https://statuterates.com/rates/ohio-prejudgment-rate/ Rate recorded under Ohio Rev. Code 1343.03, effective January 1, 2026.