Find the intersection between Total Offense Level and Criminal History Category, then understand why that table range is only one part of a federal sentence.
Current table: 2025 Guidelines ManualEffective November 1, 2025. The adopted 2026 amendments are scheduled for November 1, 2026 and are not yet the currently effective manual.
Interactive table
Select a level and category.
The result is stated in months of imprisonment. “Life” means life imprisonment. This educational tool does not calculate the offense level or criminal-history score for a particular case.
Table intersection24–30 monthsOffense Level 15 · Category III
Offense Level
I0–1 points
II2–3 points
III4–6 points
IV7–9 points
V10–12 points
VI13+ points
1
0–6
0–6
0–6
0–6
0–6
0–6
2
0–6
0–6
0–6
0–6
0–6
1–7
3
0–6
0–6
0–6
0–6
2–8
3–9
4
0–6
0–6
0–6
2–8
4–10
6–12
5
0–6
0–6
1–7
4–10
6–12
9–15
6
0–6
1–7
2–8
6–12
9–15
12–18
7
0–6
2–8
4–10
8–14
12–18
15–21
8
0–6
4–10
6–12
10–16
15–21
18–24
9
4–10
6–12
8–14
12–18
18–24
21–27
10
6–12
8–14
10–16
15–21
21–27
24–30
11
8–14
10–16
12–18
18–24
24–30
27–33
12
10–16
12–18
15–21
21–27
27–33
30–37
13
12–18
15–21
18–24
24–30
30–37
33–41
14
15–21
18–24
21–27
27–33
33–41
37–46
15
18–24
21–27
24–30
30–37
37–46
41–51
16
21–27
24–30
27–33
33–41
41–51
46–57
17
24–30
27–33
30–37
37–46
46–57
51–63
18
27–33
30–37
33–41
41–51
51–63
57–71
19
30–37
33–41
37–46
46–57
57–71
63–78
20
33–41
37–46
41–51
51–63
63–78
70–87
21
37–46
41–51
46–57
57–71
70–87
77–96
22
41–51
46–57
51–63
63–78
77–96
84–105
23
46–57
51–63
57–71
70–87
84–105
92–115
24
51–63
57–71
63–78
77–96
92–115
100–125
25
57–71
63–78
70–87
84–105
100–125
110–137
26
63–78
70–87
78–97
92–115
110–137
120–150
27
70–87
78–97
87–108
100–125
120–150
130–162
28
78–97
87–108
97–121
110–137
130–162
140–175
29
87–108
97–121
108–135
121–151
140–175
151–188
30
97–121
108–135
121–151
135–168
151–188
168–210
31
108–135
121–151
135–168
151–188
168–210
188–235
32
121–151
135–168
151–188
168–210
188–235
210–262
33
135–168
151–188
168–210
188–235
210–262
235–293
34
151–188
168–210
188–235
210–262
235–293
262–327
35
168–210
188–235
210–262
235–293
262–327
292–365
36
188–235
210–262
235–293
262–327
292–365
324–405
37
210–262
235–293
262–327
292–365
324–405
360–life
38
235–293
262–327
292–365
324–405
360–life
360–life
39
262–327
292–365
324–405
360–life
360–life
360–life
40
292–365
324–405
360–life
360–life
360–life
360–life
41
324–405
360–life
360–life
360–life
360–life
360–life
42
360–life
360–life
360–life
360–life
360–life
360–life
43
life
life
life
life
life
life
Important: A table intersection is not a final sentence prediction. Statutory minimums and maximums, mandatory consecutive terms, grouping, plea provisions, departures or variances, substantial assistance, safety-valve eligibility, supervised release, and 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) can materially change the analysis.
Step 1
Determine the Total Offense Level.
The calculation ordinarily begins with the guideline applicable to the offense of conviction. A base offense level is adjusted by specific offense characteristics, relevant conduct, victim-related adjustments, role, obstruction, multiple-count grouping, acceptance of responsibility, and any other applicable guideline provision.
The resulting total is placed on the table’s vertical axis. A higher offense level generally produces a higher range.
Step 2
Determine Criminal History Category.
Chapter Four assigns criminal-history points under detailed rules governing prior sentences, timing, related cases, and other considerations. The usual point bands are Category I for 0–1 point, II for 2–3, III for 4–6, IV for 7–9, V for 10–12, and VI for 13 or more.
Career-offender and armed-career-criminal rules can alter the ordinary calculation.
Step 3
Read the intersection—then apply the law.
The horizontal category and vertical offense level meet at an advisory imprisonment range. For example, Level 15 and Category III intersect at 24–30 months.
The court must correctly calculate and consider the Guidelines, while also applying the governing statutes and the sentencing factors in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). The Guidelines are advisory in most federal cases, but mandatory statutory provisions remain controlling.
Sentencing zones
Zones affect the available sentencing options.
Zone A
May permit probation, a fine, or imprisonment under the applicable rules.
Zone B
May permit probation with qualifying confinement conditions, a split sentence, or imprisonment.
Zone C
May permit a split sentence or imprisonment under §5C1.1.
Zone D
The Guidelines call for imprisonment, subject to the complete legal analysis.
Existing sentences
A new Guidelines Manual does not automatically reduce an old sentence.
RetroactivityThe Sentencing Commission must designate an amendment for retroactive use under §1B1.10 before § 3582(c)(2) relief may be available on that basis.
EligibilityThe amendment must actually lower the applicable guideline range, and statutory or guideline restrictions may control.
DiscretionEligibility does not guarantee a reduction. The court evaluates the authorized scope, record, public safety, and relevant statutory factors.