Interactive Tools

Federal Sentencing Tools

Three calculators built on the U.S. Sentencing Commission's published guideline framework. For education only, not legal advice.

According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission (USSC), federal sentences are calculated from the offense level and criminal-history category on the USSG Sentencing Table. These tools reproduce that official structure so you can estimate a range and check it against the 661,705 real FY2015–FY2024 cases on this site. See our methodology for sources and definitions.

662K
Sentencing records
90
Federal districts
30
Offense types
FY2015–24
Fiscal years

Sentencing Range Estimator

Estimate the advisory federal guideline range from an offense level and criminal-history category, using the USSC Sentencing Table.

Example Offense level 26, Category I → 63–78 months

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Criminal History Calculator

Work out the federal criminal-history category (I–VI) from prior sentences and supervision status, per USSG Chapter 4, Part A.

Example One prior sentence over a year → Category II

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Sentence Length Comparer

Compare typical sentencing ranges for common offenses across the federal system and selected state jurisdictions.

Example Federal drug case ≈ 36–120 months, vs. state ranges

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Full Sentencing Table

The complete USSG Sentencing Table: guideline ranges in months for every offense level (1–43) and criminal-history category (I–VI), color-coded by zone.

Example Offense level 26, Category I → 63–78 months

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The data behind these tools: every federal sentence in FY2024

Each bar counts imposed federal prison terms in that length band; the marker is the 57.7-month national average these estimators benchmark against.

58 66th percentile longer than 66% of 56,311 federal sentences

0–24: 23,918 federal sentences (42%). Below this entry. 24–48: 10,716 federal sentences (19%). Below this entry. 48–72: 6,727 federal sentences (12%). This entry sits in this band. 72–96: 3,723 federal sentences (7%). Above this entry. 96–120: 2,061 federal sentences (4%). Above this entry. 120–144: 3,392 federal sentences (6%). Above this entry. 144–168: 1,193 federal sentences (2%). Above this entry. 168–192: 1,570 federal sentences (3%). Above this entry. 192–216: 595 federal sentences (1%). Above this entry. 216–240: 355 federal sentences (1%). Above this entry. 240–264: 655 federal sentences (1%). Above this entry. 264–288: 139 federal sentences (0%). Above this entry. 288–312: 335 federal sentences (1%). Above this entry. 312–336: 128 federal sentences (0%). Above this entry. 336–360: 40 federal sentences (0%). Above this entry. 360–384: 764 federal sentences (1%). Above this entry. National average 0 384 every imposed federal sentence, bucketed by value

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more federal sentences. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Sentencing Commission, Individual Offender Datafiles · FY2024

How to use these tools

These estimators reproduce the official USSG structure: the Sentencing Table and criminal-history scoring. Pair them with the real case record to see how federal sentences actually land.

These tools are educational reproductions of the USSG structure, not legal advice; an actual sentence depends on case-specific facts, mandatory minimums, and judicial discretion.

Each tool uses the official USSC guideline structure (the Sentencing Table and criminal-history scoring rules) and is for informational purposes only. Actual sentences depend on case-specific factors, mandatory minimums, and judicial discretion. Always consult a qualified federal defense attorney. See our methodology.