SentenceCalc

Listed Chemical Offenses Sentence Calculator

This page covers cases where a person had, sold, imported or exported chemicals used to make drugs. Federal sentences for listed chemical offenses are calculated under §2D1.11 of the Sentencing Guidelines. Answer the questions below to see the range for a specific case.

Verified Checked against the manual text in at least five AI-assisted review rounds. Not yet reviewed by an attorney. Guidelines Manual effective November 1, 2025Updated October 4, 2026

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Starting level and typical ranges

The starting level for this offense depends on another offense: base level from the chemical quantity table. Look up the chemical and amount in the chemical quantity tables in §2D1.11(d) and (e) of the manual, and type that level here. With two or more chemicals, use the single chemical that gives the highest level. Ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine amounts are added together. For tablets, count only the weight of the ephedrine, pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine in them, not the weight of the whole tablets. Use the calculator above and enter that level when asked.

What changes the sentence

Each of these facts moves the offense level under §2D1.11. Adjustments that apply to every offense, such as role in the offense, obstruction, a guilty plea and criminal history, come after these.

FactEffectRule
Did the person get a minor or minimal role reduction, with a high level from the ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine table: Yes, and the table level is 32−2§2D1.11(a)
Did the person get a minor or minimal role reduction, with a high level from the ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine table: Yes, and the table level is 34 or 36−3§2D1.11(a)
Did the person get a minor or minimal role reduction, with a high level from the ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine table: Yes, and the table level is 38−4§2D1.11(a)
Was a gun or other dangerous weapon possessed: Yes+2§2D1.11(b)(1)
Was the conviction under 21 U.S.C. §841(c)(2) or (f)(1), or §960(d)(2), (d)(3) or (d)(4), without knowing the chemical would be used to make drugs: Yes−3§2D1.11(b)(2)
Hazardous or toxic substances were unlawfully released into the environment, or hazardous waste was unlawfully moved, treated, stored or dumped+2§2D1.11(b)(3)
A listed chemical was distributed through mass-marketing on the internet+2§2D1.11(b)(4)
Convicted under 21 U.S.C. §865+2§2D1.11(b)(5)
Does the person meet the five safety valve criteria in §5C1.2(a)(1) to (5): Yes−2§2D1.11(b)(6)

Important details

  • If the person, or someone whose conduct counts against them, actually made a controlled substance, or went far enough to be guilty of trying to make one, the drug trafficking guideline (§2D1.1) applies instead when it gives a higher level (§2D1.11(c)(1); note 8).
  • If there is also a conviction involving a controlled substance or an immediate precursor, that offense is calculated separately under §2D1.1 and the counts are grouped (§2D1.11, note 9).
  • The calculator does not apply mandatory minimum sentences set by statute for this offense. If the statute of conviction requires one and it is higher than the range shown, the minimum controls; check the statute or ask a lawyer.
  • Calculator limits: The chemical quantity tables in §2D1.11(d) and (e) are not built in. The base level must be looked up in the manual and typed in.

Frequently asked questions

Is the calculator accurate for listed chemical offenses?

It follows §2D1.11 of the Guidelines Manual effective November 1, 2025. It passed 5 review rounds, each comparing every number, rule and label with the manual text, and its last round found nothing to correct. Those reviews were done with AI tools, not by lawyers, and it has not yet been reviewed by an attorney, so mistakes are possible. The guidelines are advisory, and a lawyer who knows the case can tell you what actually applies.