26-week T-bill rate
The 26-week (6 month) Treasury bill yielded 4.36% (coupon equivalent) on Oct 21, 2026, compared with 3.78% on Oct 21, 2025.
What it earns
At 4.36%, $10,000 in a 26-week bill would earn about $217 over 182 days before tax. That interest is exempt from state and local income tax. This is an estimate from the published yield; the exact amount depends on the auction price.
All terms today
| Term | Yield (coupon equivalent) | Bank discount rate | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-week | 3.99% | 3.92% | Oct 21, 2026 |
| 6-week | 4.03% | 3.96% | Oct 21, 2026 |
| 8-week | 4.07% | 3.99% | Oct 21, 2026 |
| 13-week (3 month) | 4.17% | 4.07% | Oct 21, 2026 |
| 17-week | 4.28% | 4.16% | Oct 21, 2026 |
| 26-week (6 month) | 4.36% | 4.21% | Oct 21, 2026 |
| 52-week (1 year) | 4.49% | 4.29% | Oct 21, 2026 |
Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Daily Treasury Bill Rates, rates for Oct 21, 2026. Coupon equivalent yield is the simple annual return; bank discount is the rate Treasury quotes at auction.
26-week yield, last 12 months
Last 10 business days
| Date | Yield (coupon equivalent) |
|---|---|
| Oct 21, 2026 | 4.36% |
| Oct 20, 2026 | 4.37% |
| Oct 19, 2026 | 4.38% |
| Oct 16, 2026 | 4.35% |
| Oct 15, 2026 | 4.36% |
| Oct 14, 2026 | 4.38% |
| Oct 13, 2026 | 4.35% |
| Oct 9, 2026 | 4.33% |
| Oct 8, 2026 | 4.31% |
| Oct 7, 2026 | 4.29% |
About 26-week bills
A 26-week bill is bought at a discount and pays its full face value at maturity; the difference is your interest. Interest is taxed federally but not by states or localities. T-bills are not bank deposits and are not FDIC insured; they are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. The 26-week bill is auctioned every week.
Compare every term on the T-bill rates page, and see our methodology for how we collect Treasury data.
Questions
- How long is a 26-week T-bill?
- A 26-week bill matures 182 days after it is issued. It is auctioned every week by the U.S. Treasury, and you can buy it at auction through TreasuryDirect or a brokerage account, or on the secondary market through a broker.
- How is interest paid on a 26-week T-bill?
- T-bills pay no coupon. You buy the bill for less than its face value and receive the full face value at maturity. The difference is your interest, which is taxed federally but not by your state or city.
- Is a 26-week T-bill better than a savings account?
- It depends on the rates on the day and on your state tax rate. A T-bill locks in its yield until maturity and is free of state income tax; a savings account rate can change at any time but you can withdraw whenever you like.