Federal litigation deadlines are governed primarily by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Most federal deadlines are calculated using Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 6(a), which governs how courts count days. Rule 6 excludes the day of the triggering event and extends deadlines that fall on weekends or legal holidays to the next business day.
The federal court calculators below can help compute federal litigation deadlines based on the applicable rule and the triggering date.
Federal Rules Covered
This page includes federal deadline calculators and procedural resources relating to commonly litigated provisions of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
| Rule 6 | Computing Time |
| Rule 12 | Answers and Responsive Pleadings |
| Rule 26 | Discovery and Disclosures |
| Rule 33 | Interrogatories |
| Rule 34 | Requests for Production |
| Rule 36 | Requests for Admission |
| Rule 56 | Summary Judgment |
Federal Pleadings Deadlines
Pleading deadlines are among the first deadlines encountered in federal civil litigation. These calculators help determine when answers, replies, and responsive pleadings must be filed under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12 and related provisions. Because motions under Rule 12 can affect answer deadlines, several calculators also address how those motions alter the time to respond.
Rule 12(a) Answer Deadline
Calculate the deadline to answer a complaint in federal court under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(a).
Answers to Counterclaims and Crossclaims
Determine deadlines for answers to counterclaims and crossclaims in federal civil litigation.
Reply to an Answer (If Ordered)
Calculate deadlines for replies to answers when a federal court orders a responsive pleading.
Effect of a Motion on the Answer Deadline
Determine how Rule 12 motions affect the deadline to serve an answer in federal court.
Federal Disclosures and Discovery Deadlines
Discovery deadlines are typically governed by Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 26 through 37. The calculators below help determine deadlines for disclosures, discovery responses, and expert witness reports that arise during federal civil litigation.
Rule 26(f) Conference
Calculate deadlines related to the parties’ discovery planning conference in federal civil litigation.
Joint Discovery Plan
Determine deadlines for submitting the parties’ joint discovery plan following the Rule 26(f) conference.
Initial Disclosures
Calculate deadlines for serving initial disclosures in federal civil cases.
Responses to Discovery Requests
Determine deadlines for responding to interrogatories, requests for production, and requests for admission.
Expert Disclosures
Calculate deadlines for expert witness disclosures and reports in federal court.
Rebuttal Expert Disclosures
Determine deadlines for rebuttal expert disclosures following another party’s expert designation.
Pretrial Disclosures
Calculate deadlines for pretrial disclosures required before trial in federal court.
Federal Motions Deadlines
Motion practice in federal court involves a number of timing rules governing service, responses, and supporting affidavits. The calculators below help determine deadlines for common motion-related filings under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Serving Motions
Calculate deadlines related to serving motions and related papers in federal civil litigation.
Affidavits in Opposition to Motions
Determine deadlines for serving affidavits opposing motions in federal court.
Rule 12(b) Defenses and Motions
Calculate deadlines related to Rule 12(b) defenses and pre-answer motions in federal litigation.
Motion for a More Definite Statement
Determine timing requirements for motions seeking a more definite statement under Rule 12(e).
Motion to Strike
Calculate deadlines for motions to strike insufficient defenses or improper matter from pleadings.
Summary Judgment
Determine deadlines related to summary judgment motions and supporting materials in federal court.
For a detailed explanation of how federal courts count days when calculating deadlines, see our guide on how to count days for court deadlines.
CourtDeadlines is continually expanding its library of resources and deadline calculators. If you encounter a federal procedural deadline that is not currently covered by one of the calculators on this page, or if you experience a problem using a calculator, please contact us and let us know. Feedback helps improve the accuracy and usefulness of these tools.