Washington prejudgment interest rate
United States Washington’s prejudgment interest rate — when a court awards it.
→ All Washington judgment & prejudgment interest rates
Fixed by statute Fixed by statute
2026 Washington prejudgment interest at a glance
- Current rate
- 12% per year
- Effective date
- July 9, 2026
- Controlling authority
- RCW 19.52.010(1)
- Rate basis
- Fixed by statute
- Source checked
- July 9, 2026
- Recorded history
- 1 data point
Washington prejudgment interest is 12% per year, as simple interest under RCW 19.52.010(1).
When Washington prejudgment interest applies
Prejudgment interest is available ONLY on LIQUIDATED or readily-determinable claims — those where the evidence furnishes data that makes it possible to compute the amount with exactness, without reliance on opinion or discretion (Prier v. Refrigeration Eng'g; Hansen v. Rothaus). It is BARRED on UNLIQUIDATED claims requiring jury/court discretion or opinion evidence to fix the amount.
When it starts accruing
Prejudgment interest accrues from the date the claim became liquidated / the amount became due and determinable (i.e., the date the liquidated sum could be computed), running until entry of judgment.
Simple or compound
Simple.
→ Compare with the Washington post-judgment interest rate (interest after judgment)
Prejudgment interest under RCW 19.52.010(1) — 12% (simple interest). This is PREjudgment interest (accruing before entry of judgment) and is separate from Washington’s post-judgment rate; availability is limited by claim type (see the page). Verify against the statute text. Not legal advice.
Current recorded observation
| Effective date | Rate | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| July 9, 2026 | 12% | Statute |
Source & provenance
Observation recorded July 9, 2026 (00:00 UTC) from the cited source (Washington — app.leg.wa.gov):
https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=19.52.010
Cite this page
StatuteRates. “Washington Prejudgment Interest Rate.” StatuteRates.com. Accessed today. https://statuterates.com/rates/washington-prejudgment-rate/ Rate recorded under RCW 19.52.010(1), effective July 9, 2026.