When must I file a notice of appeal in a federal civil case?

Rule 4(a)(7) defines entry. If FRCP 58(a) requires no separate document, use entry in the civil docket under FRCP 79(a).

If a separate document is required, entry requires the civil docket entry and the earlier of the judgment on a separate document or 150 days after the docket entry. This calculator does not establish that date from the docket.

A timely motion listed in Rule 4(a)(4)(A) moves the appeal trigger for all parties to entry of the order disposing of the last remaining listed motion. A motion’s title alone does not establish that it qualifies.

The 60-day branch applies to any party if another party satisfies Rule 4(a)(1)(B). That includes the United States, an agency, an officer or employee sued officially, and qualifying current or former officers or employees sued individually for acts or omissions connected with federal duties. The individual-capacity category includes United States representation when judgment is entered or its filing the appeal for that person.

1. Confirm entry under Rule 4(a)(7). If Rule 4(a)(4) applies, use entry of the order disposing of the last remaining qualifying motion.
2. Exclude the verified entry date.
3. Count the calendar days for the selected branch.
4. A final Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday carries the period to the next day that is not. For periods after an event, check state holidays where the district court rendering the challenged judgment or the circuit clerk’s principal office is located.

Choose the branch before counting. This calculator uses the supplied entry date. It does not read a docket, identify qualifying parties, infer a motion’s effect or grant an extension.

Fictitious example

Civil judgment entered August 3, 2026. No qualifying federal party or listed motion. Independent calendar arithmetic excludes entry and adds 30 days. September 2 is a Wednesday.

Fictitious dates. No additional state holiday, clerk inaccessibility or different court order is assumed.

Timely post-judgment motions

Rule 4(a)(4)(A) lists Rule 50(b), Rule 52(b), specified Rule 54 fee motions, Rule 59 motions and Rule 60 relief filed within the Rule 59 filing period. A Rule 54 fee motion qualifies only if the district court extends appeal time under Rule 58.

Another party’s appeal

Rule 4(a)(3) allows another party the later of 14 days after the first timely notice or its otherwise prescribed Rule 4(a) time. This calculator does not compare both dates.

Extension or reopening

Rule 4(a)(5) and (6) provide limited district-court relief with separate motion deadlines and conditions. Relief is not automatic. Rule 26(b) permits no general appellate extension of a notice-of-appeal deadline.

Premature or amended notice

Rule 4(a)(2) addresses filing after announcement but before entry. Under Rule 4(a)(4)(B), some notices become effective after motion disposition. Challenging that disposition or the changed judgment can require a new or amended notice.

Institution mail or mistaken court

Rule 4(c) addresses an inmate’s qualifying deposit and evidence. Rule 4(d) addresses mistaken filing in the court of appeals. This calculator does not determine compliance with either route.

• The calculator does not decide appealability, establish entry, classify a motion, grant relief or determine whether a notice preserves every intended issue.
• The 30/60-day branches do not calculate the later-of cross-appeal rule or the separate extension and reopening motion periods.

• Identify the civil judgment or order being appealed and the court receiving the notice.
• Confirm the docket and any required separate document under Rule 4(a)(7).
• Identify all parties and whether Rule 4(a)(1)(B) gives every party 60 days.
• Check every pending post-judgment motion, its timeliness and the last disposition order.
• Check any first notice by another party, amended-notice requirement or district-court relief order.
• Check state holidays, clerk inaccessibility and the actual district filing method.
• File this notice with the district clerk. Unless another cutoff applies, Rule 26(a)(4)(A) ends district-court electronic filing at midnight in that court’s time zone. Other means ordinarily require receipt by scheduled clerk closing; Rule 4(c) has a separate institution-mail route.