The four zones on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines table define which sentence types are available under USSG § 5C1.1 — probation, split sentences, or imprisonment.
0–6 months (minimum of the range is 0)
The court may impose a sentence of probation with no confinement condition. Straight probation is fully available.
Minimum of 1–9 months
Probation is available if it includes a confinement condition (intermittent confinement, community confinement, or home detention) equal to the minimum of the range.
Minimum of 10–12 months
A split sentence is available — at least half the minimum must be served in prison, with the balance on supervised release with a community/home-confinement condition.
Minimum of 13+ months
The minimum term of the range must be satisfied by imprisonment. Straight probation and split sentences are not authorized.
Source: USSG § 5C1.1 & Sentencing Table Ch. 5 Pt. A.
Zones A, B, C, and D are ranges of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines table that determine what sentence types are available under § 5C1.1. Zone A allows probation; Zone B allows probation with confinement conditions; Zone C allows split sentences; Zone D requires imprisonment.
Find your final offense level and Criminal History Category on the Sentencing Table — the cell shows a range in months, and the color/label of that cell indicates its zone. See our Federal Sentencing Guidelines Chart for a color-coded table.
Not under the guidelines. Zone D requires the minimum of the range to be satisfied by imprisonment. Departures, variances, or Rule 35 motions may change the outcome, but the advisory guideline sentence is prison.
Educational — not legal advice. See Terms & Sources.