United States Federal Sentencing Guidelines Table

About the Sentencing Table

The sentencing table is used to determine the sentencing guideline range for federal criminal sentencings. Federal judges have discretion to vary from the guideline range, but they must always accurately calculate the guidelines as a starting point for sentencing criminal defendants.

The vertical axis contains the offense level (1-43), while the horizontal axis contains the defendant's criminal history category (I-VI). . The intersection of the Offense Level and Criminal History Category displays the Guideline Range in months of imprisonment. "Life" means life imprisonment. For example, the guideline range applicable to a defendant with an Offense Level of 23 and a Criminal History Category of I is 46-57 months of imprisonment.

The zones on the table also have important meanings regarding the potential sentences that the judge can impose. For example, if the applicable guideline range falls into certain zones, judges can impose probation or home confinement.

For more information regarding calculation of the guidelines and the sentencing table and the meaning of the zones, you can visit the United States Sentencing Commission's section on Determining the Sentence.