Short answer
A misdemeanor is a less serious crime, generally punishable by up to a year in county jail plus fines. A felony is more serious and can carry more than a year in state prison, along with lasting consequences like loss of gun and voting rights. The exact lines are set by each state.
The dividing line is severity, and it is drawn by statute. Misdemeanors are lower-level offenses — things like petty theft, simple assault, or a first-time DUI in many states — typically punishable by fines and up to one year in a county or local jail. Some states add a lesser tier of “infractions” or “violations” below misdemeanors.
Felonies are serious crimes — such as robbery, serious drug offenses, or aggravated assault — that can be punished by more than a year in state prison, and in the most serious cases by life imprisonment or, in some states, death. Many states grade felonies and misdemeanors into classes or degrees that set the sentencing range.
The consequences of a felony reach well beyond the sentence: it can mean the loss of the right to vote or own a firearm, barriers to employment and housing, and immigration consequences for non-citizens. Some offenses are “wobblers” that a prosecutor can charge as either a felony or a misdemeanor, which is one reason early legal representation matters.
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Find an attorney by state
This is general legal information, not legal advice, and laws vary by state. For guidance on your situation, consult a licensed criminal defense attorney where your case is filed.