Interactive tool

Federal Criminal History Category Calculator

Calculate your federal criminal history category (I-VI) based on prior sentences and supervision status. Uses USSC criminal history scoring rules from Chapter 4, Part A of the Guidelines Manual.

6
History categories (I–VI)
0–13+
Criminal-history points
§4A1.1
USSG scoring rule

According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission (USSC), more than 61,000 individuals were sentenced in U.S. federal courts in fiscal year 2024 under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, with the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 establishing the modern framework. The USSC Annual Report and Sourcebook of Federal Sentencing Statistics are published every March and cover all 94 U.S. district courts. See our methodology for refresh cadence.

Informational only, not legal advice. This calculator uses simplified USSC criminal history scoring rules. Actual criminal history computation under USSG §4A1.x involves nuanced rules about concurrent/consecutive sentences, revocations, and diverted sentences that this tool does not fully capture. Always consult a qualified federal criminal defense attorney for case-specific guidance.

Each prior sentence of imprisonment exceeding one year and one month adds 3 points. Under USSG §4A1.1(a).

Each prior sentence of imprisonment of at least sixty days adds 2 points. Under USSG §4A1.1(b). There is no limit on the number of such sentences counted under this subsection.

Each other prior sentence adds 1 point. Under USSG §4A1.1(c). Counted up to 4 such sentences (max 4 points from this category).

Adds 1 status point, but only if the points above already total 7 or more, when the offense was committed while under a criminal-justice sentence. Under USSG §4A1.1(e), as amended by Amendment 821 (effective Nov 1, 2023): defendants with 6 or fewer points add no status points, and the former 2-point assessment was reduced to 1.

How criminal history scoring works

The United States Sentencing Commission assigns defendants to one of six Criminal History Categories based on a point system defined in USSG Chapter 4, Part A. The category, combined with the offense level, determines the applicable sentencing range on the USSC Sentencing Table.

Point computation rules

  • 3 points each - Prior sentences of imprisonment exceeding one year and one month (USSG §4A1.1(a)). These represent the most serious prior convictions and carry the highest per-sentence weight.
  • 2 points each - Prior sentences of imprisonment of at least sixty days not counting those already counted above (USSG §4A1.1(b)). There is no limit on the number of such sentences counted under this subsection.
  • 1 point each - Any other prior sentences not already counted (USSG §4A1.1(c)). Capped at 4 sentences (maximum 4 points). Includes probation-only sentences and sentences of less than 60 days.
  • 1 status point - If the defendant committed the current offense while under any form of criminal-justice supervision (probation, parole, supervised release, imprisonment, work release, or escape status) AND already has 7 or more points from the categories above (USSG §4A1.1(e)). Amendment 821 (effective November 1, 2023) reduced this from 2 points to 1 and eliminated it entirely for defendants with 6 or fewer points; it was made retroactive on February 1, 2024.

Category thresholds

Category Total Points Typifies
I 0 to 1 First-time or minimal prior record
II 2 to 3 Limited prior record
III 4 to 6 Moderate prior record
IV 7 to 9 Substantial prior record
V 10 to 12 Serious prior record
VI 13 or more Extensive prior record

Limitations

This calculator uses simplified scoring rules and does not account for several nuances in USSG §4A1.x, including: (1) sentences older than 10 or 15 years that may be excluded under §4A1.2(e); (2) diverted sentences that may or may not count under §4A1.2(f); (3) revocations of probation or supervised release under §4A1.2(k); (4) concurrent versus consecutive sentence treatment; and (5) juvenile adjudications (generally excluded under §4A1.2(d) with exceptions). An attorney reviewing the complete criminal history record may arrive at a different point total.

Source

Criminal history scoring rules from the USSC Guidelines Manual, Chapter 4, Part A. Category thresholds from the USSC Sentencing Table.