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Felony Theft Amount and Penalties in Tennessee

The dollar amount that makes theft a felony in Tennessee, and the felony and misdemeanor classes and penalties that apply.

Short answer: Theft becomes a felony above $1,000 (or for any firearm). Tiers: $1,000 or less, Class A misdemeanor (except when the property is a firearm); Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-105(a)

How much theft is a felonyTheft becomes a felony above $1,000 (or for any firearm). Tiers: $1,000 or less, Class A misdemeanor (except when the property is a firearm); a firearm worth less than $2,500, or property or services worth more than $1,000 but less than $2,500, Class E felony; $2,500 or more but less than $10,000, Class D felony; $10,000 or more but less than $60,000, Class C felony; $60,000 or more but less than $250,000, Class B felony; $250,000 or more, Class A felony.
Agrees with the Fiscal Review Committee fiscal note on HB 587 / SB 657 (Feb. 13, 2025): https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Fiscal/HB0587.pdf . Read on codes.findlaw.com (a public copy of the official code); check against the official code. Mirror pages state they are current as of January 2, 2024.
Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-105(a)
Felony classes and maximum sentencesTennessee grades felonies as Class A through Class E. Authorized terms of imprisonment and fines: Class A, not less than 15 nor more than 60 years, and the jury may assess a fine not to exceed $50,000; Class B, 8 to 30 years, fine up to $25,000; Class C, 3 to 15 years, fine up to $10,000; Class D, 2 to 12 years, fine up to $5,000; Class E, 1 to 6 years, fine up to $3,000 (each fine 'unless otherwise provided by statute'). The specific range within these limits depends on the offender's sentencing range (prior record).
The prison ranges agree with the Fiscal Review Committee fiscal note on HB 1872 (Mar. 15, 2024): https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/113/Fiscal/HB1872.pdf , and the Class E fine agrees with fiscal memorandum FM0362 (2025): https://capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Fiscal/FM0362.pdf ; the sentencing-range sentence comes from the fiscal note (§ 40-35-112 was not read). Read on codes.findlaw.com (a public copy of the official code); check against the official code. Mirror pages state they are current as of January 2, 2024.
Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-111(b); § 40-35-112 (sentencing ranges, as described by the Tennessee General Assembly Fiscal Review Committee)
Misdemeanor classes and maximum penaltiesTennessee has three misdemeanor classes. Class A misdemeanor: not greater than 11 months, 29 days, or a fine not to exceed $2,500, or both. Class B misdemeanor: not greater than 6 months or a fine not to exceed $500, or both. Class C misdemeanor: not greater than 30 days or a fine not to exceed $50, or both. Each applies 'unless otherwise provided by statute.'
The Class A figures agree with the General Assembly's bill summary for HB 0074 (114th GA, 2025): https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default?BillNumber=HB0074&ga=114 . Read on codes.findlaw.com (a public copy of the official code); check against the official code. Mirror pages state they are current as of January 2, 2024.
Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-111(e)

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FAQ

How much do you have to steal for it to be a felony in Tennessee?
Theft becomes a felony above $1,000 (or for any firearm). Tiers: $1,000 or less, Class A misdemeanor (except when the property is a firearm); a firearm worth less than $2,500, or property or services worth more than $1,000 but less than $2,500, Class E felony; $2,500 or more but less than $10,000, Class D felony; $10,000 or more but less than $60,000, Class C felony; $60,000 or more but less than $250,000, Class B felony; $250,000 or more, Class A felony.
What are the felony classes and maximum sentences in Tennessee?
Tennessee grades felonies as Class A through Class E. Authorized terms of imprisonment and fines: Class A, not less than 15 nor more than 60 years, and the jury may assess a fine not to exceed $50,000; Class B, 8 to 30 years, fine up to $25,000; Class C, 3 to 15 years, fine up to $10,000; Class D, 2 to 12 years, fine up to $5,000; Class E, 1 to 6 years, fine up to $3,000 (each fine 'unless otherwise provided by statute'). The specific range within these limits depends on the offender's sentencing range (prior record).
What are the misdemeanor classes and penalties in Tennessee?
Tennessee has three misdemeanor classes. Class A misdemeanor: not greater than 11 months, 29 days, or a fine not to exceed $2,500, or both. Class B misdemeanor: not greater than 6 months or a fine not to exceed $500, or both. Class C misdemeanor: not greater than 30 days or a fine not to exceed $50, or both. Each applies 'unless otherwise provided by statute.'

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.