2026 North Carolina judgment & prejudgment interest rates
Current 2026 snapshot: North Carolina post-judgment interest is 8% per year; the recorded prejudgment reference is 8% per year.
Everything North Carolina charges in interest on a money judgment or an overdue debt, in one place — the rate after judgment and the rate before it, each recorded with a cited source and linked to its full page with observations, scope, and known carve-outs.
| Metric | Rate or rule | Effective | Authority | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post-judgment interest | 8% | December 1, 2016 | N.C.G.S. §24-5 / §24-1 | Fixed by statute |
| Prejudgment interest | 8% | July 9, 2026 | N.C. Gen. Stat. 24-5 | Fixed by statute |
Post-judgment interest
North Carolina's post-judgment interest rate is 8% per year. North Carolina judgments carry interest at the state’s legal rate of 8% per year — N.C.G.S. §24-5 ties judgment interest to the §24-1 legal rate — or the contract rate for a judgment on a contract. It’s a fixed statutory rate applied as simple interest.
→ Full North Carolina post-judgment page — N.C.G.S. §24-5 / §24-1, effective-date history, scope, and official source.
Prejudgment interest
North Carolina's prejudgment interest rate is 8% per year (fixed by statute). North Carolina prejudgment interest is 8% per year, as simple interest under N.C. Gen. Stat. 24-5. Prejudgment interest is claim-type-restricted, not universal.
→ Full North Carolina prejudgment page — N.C. Gen. Stat. 24-5, when it applies, accrual, compounding, and carve-outs.
Frequently asked
What is the post-judgment interest rate in North Carolina?
As of December 1, 2016, the North Carolina post-judgment interest rate is 8% per year. North Carolina’s 8% legal judgment rate.
What is the prejudgment interest rate in North Carolina?
North Carolina's prejudgment interest rate is 8% per year (fixed by statute). Prejudgment interest is claim-type-restricted, not universal.
Is North Carolina judgment interest simple or compound, and when does it start?
See each rate's page for the exact compounding rule, accrual date, and statutory carve-outs — North Carolina prejudgment interest in particular turns on the type of claim.
Cite this page
StatuteRates. “North Carolina Judgment & Prejudgment Interest Rates.” StatuteRates.com. Accessed today. https://statuterates.com/states/north-carolina/ Each rate includes a cited source and recorded effective date; confirm the controlling authority before use.
Compare every state on the state interest-rate index and the prejudgment interest index, or enter a confirmed rate in the judgment interest and per-diem calculator. Reference data only — not legal advice.