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Fed. R. App. P. App.
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Rule App. Length Limits Stated in the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure
Length Limits
Rule Text
This table summarizes the word and page limits stated in the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. For precise requirements, consult the cited rules.
| Document | Word Limit | Page Limit | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Party's Principal Brief | |||
| Appellant's or appellee's principal brief | 13,000 | 30 | 32(a)(7) |
| Reply brief | 6,500 | 15 | 32(a)(7) |
| Party's Principal Brief (Cross-Appeal) | |||
| Appellant's principal brief | 13,000 | 30 | 28.1(e) |
| Appellee's principal and response brief | 15,300 | 35 | 28.1(e) |
| Appellant's response and reply brief | 13,000 | 30 | 28.1(e) |
| Appellee's reply brief | 6,500 | 15 | 28.1(e) |
| Amicus Brief | |||
| Amicus brief during initial consideration | One-half of principal brief | One-half of principal brief | 29(a)(5) |
| Amicus brief during rehearing | 2,600 | -- | 29(b)(4) |
| Motions and Other Papers | |||
| Motion or response to a motion | 5,200 | 20 | 27(d)(2) |
| Reply to a response to a motion | 2,600 | 10 | 27(d)(2) |
| Petition for permission to appeal | 5,200 | 20 | 5(c) |
| Answer or cross-petition | 5,200 | 20 | 5(c) |
| Petition for mandamus or prohibition or other extraordinary writ | 7,800 | 30 | 21(d) |
| Answer to petition | 7,800 | 30 | 21(d) |
| Reply to answer to petition | 3,900 | 15 | 21(d) |
| Petition for rehearing en banc or panel rehearing | 3,900 | 15 | 35(b)(2), 40(b) |
(As added Apr. 28, 2016, eff. Dec. 1, 2016; amended Apr. 2, 2024, eff. Dec. 1, 2024.)