RYMER, Circuit Judge:

We ordered rehearing en banc in these cases to clarify our sentencing law in the wake of United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005). Events overtook us, however, when the United States Supreme Court granted certiorari in Claiborne v. United States and Rita v. United States. As the issues were similar to those in our appeals, we deferred submission pending the Court's decisions.

The Court rendered its opinion in Rita on June 21, 2007, holding that a court of appeals may presume that the sentence is reasonable when a district judge's discretionary decision accords with the sentence the United States Sentencing Commission deems appropriate in the mine-run of cases. ___ U.S. ___, 127 S.Ct. 2456, 2465, 168 L.Ed.2d 203 (2007). Mario Claiborne's case was mooted by his death, Claiborne v. United States, ___ U.S. ___, 127 S.Ct. 2245, 167 L.Ed.2d 1080 (2007) (per curiam), so the Court granted certiorari in Gall v. United States to address the question whether a sentence that amounts to a substantial variance from the Guidelines needs to be justified by extraordinary circumstances. ___ U.S. ___, 127 S.Ct. 2933, 168 L.Ed.2d 261 (2007). It held on December 10, 2007 that appellate courts must review all sentences, within and without the Guidelines range, under a deferential abuse-of-discretion standard. Gall v. United States, ___ U.S. ___, 128 S.Ct. 586, 591, 169 L.Ed.2d 445 (2007). On the same day, the Court held that, under Booker, the cocaine Guidlines, like all others, are advisory only and that the Guidelines, formerly mandatory, serve as one factor among several that district courts must consider in determine an appropriate sentence. Kimbrough v. United States, ___ U.S. ___, 128 S.Ct. 558, 564, 169 L.Ed.2d 481 (2007).

Core principles having now been resolved by the Supreme Court, we are left with one open question presented by Carty and Zavala: whether to adopt an appellate "presumption" of reasonableness for sentences imposed within the Guidelines range. We decline to do so, although we recognize that a correctly calculated Guidelines sentence will normally not be found unreasonable on appeal. Applying Rita, Gall and Kimbrough, we conclude that there was no significant procedural error in either Carty or Zavala, and that the sentences imposed were not unreasonable. Accordingly, we affirm in each case.

I

Zavala's appeal turns on whether the district court improperly presumed the reasonableness of a sentence within the Guidelines range. Carty's turns on whether the district court adequately articulated reasons for its choice of sentence. Zavala. Juan Antonio Zavala was convicted of one count of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and ecstacy and one count of distribution of methamphetamine. His sentencing took place after Booker, but before Rita, Gall and Kimbrough. After making various adjustments which Zavala does not dispute, the district court determined that his adjusted offense level was 43 and his criminal history category was III. This yielded a life sentence as the applicable range under the November 2004 version of the Sentencing Guidelines.

At the outset of the hearing, the court indicated that it was required to consider the advisory Guidelines range, but in the context of the goals and purposes of sentencing as reflected in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). judge commented that "the Guideline range becomes a presumptive sentence, and it is then for the Court to determine whether or not a specific factor exists in this case under those factors set forth in 3553(a) which would justify the Court in imposing a lesser sentence than that set forth in the Guideline range." The judge also stated that he needed to justify any departure from the Guidelines range by reference to the sentencing factors set forth in § 3553(a), and looked to the defense to "at least explain to [him] what those justifications are and what those factors are" that would warrant a sentence less than life imprisonment. Recognizing that he had to "impose a sentence sufficient, but not greater than, necessary to comply with the purposes set forth in [§ 3553(a)(2)]," the judge elicited, and heard, the parties' view as to "why would a sentence of, say, 360 months not be sufficient?"

When Zavala took issue with the statement that the presumptive sentence was the Guidelines range (a life sentence), arguing that the presumptive sentence should instead be the bottom of the statutory range (a ten-year sentence) pursuant to § 3553(a), the judge indicated that he believed the Guidelines should serve as "the starting point." He explained that "we start with the Guideline range and then work from that to determine whether there are facts in this case unique to this case which justify the Court in disregarding the Guideline range, or at least deviating from the Guideline range in some fashion" in terms of § 3553(a) and all the factors listed.

The court reviewed the relevant § 3553(a) factors and found that a life sentence was "not necessary" to promote respect for law, to deter others, or to protect the public; was "simply excessive"; and would be disproportional to sentences received by Zavala's co-defendants. Correspondingly, the court found that a 360-month sentence would reflect that this is a serious matter, would promote respect for the law and provide just punishment, and would afford adequate deterrence to others. Accordingly, the judge "exercise[d] [his] discretion to depart from the Guidelines or to deviate from the Guidelines based upon [his] consideration of the factors set forth in 18 U.S. Code Section 3553(a)" by imposing a term of 360 months imprisonment.

Carty. A jury convicted Alphonso Kinzar Carty on seven counts of abusive sexual contact and aggravated sexual abuse of his minor niece. He confessed to having molested her on four different occasions when she was between 14-and 16-years old, but later backtracked. The Presentence Report (PSR) considered the offense conduct, Carty's criminal history, and offender characteristics before recommending a sentence at the top of the 235-293 months Guidelines range. It also advised that there "is no information concerning the offense or the offender which would warrant a departure from the sentencing guidelines."

Carty's sentencing memorandum argued generally for a lower sentence in consideration of the § 3553(a) factors. It stressed his history and characteristics (Carty was a breadwinner for his family with no criminal history; he stopped drinking as a young man; he had a strong family relationship; and he had an underprivileged upbringing and diminished capacity to understand fully the world around him); the need for the sentence imposed (his parents would likely not be alive when he got out of prison; his young boys would be left without his guidance and support; and the goals of deterrence and protecting the public would be served by a much shorter sentence); and the availability of alternative sentences (a lengthy period of supervised release). The government's memorandum acknowledged that the Guidelines were advisory, but argued that the Guidelines sentence outlined in the PSR was appropriate in light of the factors set forth in § 3553(a). It also posited that neither Carty's conduct nor his circumstances differed from the multitude of other sex offenders that the Sentencing Commission took into consideration in promulgating the Guidelines.

At the sentencing hearing, the court indicated that it had reviewed the PSR and the parties' sentencing memoranda. Seven members of Carty's family testified. Counsel submitted that Carty has "no criminal history to speak of," "he is hard working, and he is a good role model for his children"; and urged that alternative sentences such as sex offender registration and a lifetime of supervised release would be sufficient to protect the public and keep Carty from re-offending. Counsel asked the court to impose "something sufficient but not greater than necessary," arguing that the sentence recommended by the PSR was much greater than necessary as it would be equivalent to having committed second degree murder. In imposing sentence, the judge recognized that Carty had strong family support and that the matter was "a familial tragedy of enormous proportion." He then sentenced Carty to a term of 235 months, the bottom of the Guidelines range.

II

The basic framework is now settled for the district courts' task, and ours on appeal, under the Booker remedial regime in which the Guidelines are no longer mandatory but are only advisory. Rita, Gall, and Kimhrough supersede how we, and the courts in this circuit, have approached the sentencing process in the past. Thus, in light of what Rita, Gall, and Kimbrough have to say:

• The overarching statutory charge for a district court is to "impose a sentence sufficient, but not greater than necessary" to reflect the seriousness of the offense, promote respect for the law, and provide just punishment; to afford adequate deterrence; to protect the public; and to provide the defendant with needed educational or vocational training, medical care, or other correctional treatment. 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) and (a)(2).

• All sentencing proceedings are to begin by determining the applicable Guidelines range. The range must be calculated correctly. In this sense, the Guidelines are "the 'starting point and the initial benchmark,'" Kimbrough, 128 S.Ct. at 574 (quoting Gall, 128 S.Ct. at 596), and are to be kept in mind throughout the process, Gall, 128 S.Ct. at 596-97 n. 6.

• The parties must be given a chance to argue for a sentence they believe is appropriate.

• The district court should then consider the § 3553(a) factors to decide if they support the sentence suggested by the parties, i.e., it should consider the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of the defendant; the need for the sentence imposed; the kinds of sentences available; the kinds of sentence and the sentencing range established in the Guidelines; any pertinent policy statement issued by the Sentencing Commission; the need to avoid unwarranted sentence disparities among defendants with similar records who have been found guilty of similar conduct; and the need to provide restitution to any victims. 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(1)-(7); Gall, 128 S.Ct. at 596-97 n. 6.

• The district court may not presume that the Guidelines range is reasonable. Rita, 127 S.Ct. at 2465 (citing Booker, 543 U.S. at 259-60, 125 S.Ct. 738); Gall, 128 S.Ct. at 596-97. Nor should the Guidelines factor be given more or less weight than any other. While the Guidelines are to be respectfully considered, they are one factor among the § 3553(a) factors that are to be taken into account in arriving at an appropriate sentence. Kimbrough, 128 S.Ct. at 570; Gall, 128 S.Ct. at 594, 596-97, 602.

• The district court must make an individualized determination based on the facts. However, the district judge is not obliged to raise every possibly relevant issue sua sponte. Gall, 128 S.Ct. at 597, 599.

• If a district judge "decides that an outside-Guidelines sentence is warranted, he must consider the extent of the deviation and ensure that the justification is sufficiently compelling to sup port the degree of the variance." Id. at 597. This does not mean that the district court's discretion is constrained by distance alone. Rather, the extent of the difference is simply a relevant consideration. At the same time, as the Court put it, "[w]e find it uncontroversial that a major departure should be supported by a more significant justification than a minor one." Id. This conclusion finds natural support in the structure of § 3553(a), for the greater the variance, the more persuasive the justification will likely be because other values reflected in § 3553(a)— such as, for example, unwarranted disparity — may figure more heavily in the balance.

• Once the sentence is selected, the district court must explain it sufficiently to permit meaningful appellate review. A statement of reasons is required by statute, § 3553(c), and furthers the proper administration of justice. See Rita, 127 S.Ct. at 2468 (stating that "[c]onfidence in a judge's use of reason underlies the public's trust in the judicial institution"). An explanation communicates that the parties' arguments have been heard, and that a reasoned decision has been made. It is most helpful for this to come from the bench, but adequate explanation in some cases may also be inferred from the PSR or the record as a whole.

What constitutes a sufficient explanation will necessarily vary depending upon the complexity of the particular case, whether the sentence chosen is inside or outside the Guidelines, and the strength and seriousness of the proffered reasons for imposing a sentence that differs from the Guidelines range. A within-Guidelines sentence ordinarily needs little explanation unless a party has requested a specific departure, argued that a different sentence is otherwise warranted, or challenged the Guidelines calculation itself as contrary to § 3553(a). This is because both the Commission and the sentencing judge have determined that the sentence comports with the § 3553(a) factors and is appropriate in the ordinary case. But the judge must explain why he imposes a sentence outside the Guidelines. Rita, 127 S.Ct. at 2468; Gall, 128 S.Ct. at 594 (indicating that a district judge "must explain his conclusion that an unusually lenient or an unusually harsh sentence is appropriate in a particular case with sufficient justifications").

The district court need not tick off each of the § 3553(a) factors to show that it has considered them. We assume that district judges know the law and understand their obligation to consider all of the § 3553(a) factors, not just the Guidelines. See Walton v. Arizona, 497 U.S. 639, 653, 110 S.Ct. 3047, 111 L.Ed.2d 511 (1990) ("Trial judges are presumed to know the law and to apply it in making their decisions."), overruled on other grounds by Ring v. Arizona, 536 U.S. 584, 609, 122 S.Ct. 2428, 153 L.Ed.2d 556 (2002). Nor need the district court articulate in a vacuum how each, § 3553(a) factor influences its determination of an appropriate sentence. However, when a party raises a specific, nonfrivolous argument tethered to a relevant § 3553(a) factor in support of a requested sentence, then the judge should normally explain why he accepts or rejects the party's position. Rita, 127 S.Ct. at 2468.

• Appellate review is to determine whether the sentence is reasonable; only a procedurally erroneous or substantively unreasonable sentence will be set aside. See id. at 2459 (citing Booker, 543 U.S. at 261-63, 125 S.Ct. 738); Gall, 128 S.Ct. at 594 (emphasizing that "appellate review of sentencing decisions is limited to determining whether they are 'reasonable'").

• The abuse of discretion standard applies to all sentencing decisions, whether the sentence is inside the Guidelines range or outside of it. Gall, 128 S.Ct. at 596-97.

• On appeal, we first consider whether the district court committed significant procedural error, then we consider the substantive reasonableness of the sentence, Id. at 597.

• It would be procedural error for a district court to fail to calculate — or to calculate incorrectly — the Guidelines range; to treat the Guidelines as mandatory instead of advisory; to fail to consider the § 3553(a) factors; to choose a sentence based on clearly erroneous facts; or to fail adequately to explain the sentence selected, including any deviation from the Guidelines range. Id.

• In determining substantive reasonableness, we are to consider the totality of the circumstances, including the degree of variance for a sentence imposed outside the Guidelines range. Id. A court of appeals may not presume that a non-Guidelines sentence is un reasonable. Although a court may presume on appeal that a sentence within the Guidelines range is reasonable, id., we decline to adopt such a presumption in this circuit.

• For a non-Guidelines sentence, we are to "give due deference to the district court's decision that the § 3553(a) factors, on a whole, justify the extent of the variance." Id. at 597; see also id. at 602.

• We may not reverse just because we think a different sentence is appropriate. Id. at 597.

As Rita observes, a number of circuits use a presumption of reasonableness for within-Guidelines sentences, while others do not. See 127 S.Ct. at 2462. The difference appears more linguistic than practical: Those circuits that have not adopted a presumption of reasonableness have nevertheless concluded "that in the overwhelming majority of cases, a Guidelines sentence will fall comfortably within the broad range of sentences that would be reasonable in the particular circumstances." Fernandez, 443 F.3d at 27; see also Talley, 431 F.3d at 787-88. Until now, we have expressed no view on the issue. However, we decline to embrace a presumption. We recognize that a Guidelines sentence "will usually be reasonable," Rita, 127 S.Ct. at 2465, and this done, we see no particular need for an appellate presumption that says so. A "presumption" carries baggage as an evidentiary concept that we prefer not to import. An appellate presumption, in any event, does little work; even in jurisdictions where reasonableness is presumed, the presumption is not binding, it does not shift the burden of persuasion or proof, and it lacks "independent legal effect." Id. at 2463, 2465. Accordingly, we shall simply abide by the Supreme Court's admonition that "when the judge's discretionary decision accords with the Commission's view of the appropriate application of § 3553(a) in the mine run of cases, it is probable that the sentence is reasonable." Id. at 2465.

III

Zavala contends that the district court erred by applying the Guidelines in a presumptive fashion. Although the judge at first used the phrase "presumptive sentence" when describing his view of the role of the Guidelines after Booker, he clarified that by that he meant the Guidelines should serve as "the starting point" from which the court should then make an individual assessment of the facts unique to Zavala's case which justify departure or deviation from the Guidelines range in terms of § 3553(a). The judge also acknowledged his obligation to "impose a sentence sufficient, but not greater than, necessary to comply with the purposes set forth in [§ 3553(a)(2)] and the traditional goals of sentencing."

It would have been error had the judge actually attached a presumption of reasonableness to the Guidelines range or weighted the Guidelines range more heavily than other § 3553(a) factors. As Rita and Gall make clear, the district judge may not presume that the Guidelines range is reasonable. Gall, 128 S.Ct. at 596; Rita, 127 S.Ct. at 2456. But we take him at his word, that he instead regarded the Guidelines as the "starting point." The record reflects that this is what he did. Having begun by correctly calculating the Guidelines range, the judge considered the § 3553(a) factors and made an individualized assessment that led him to find that a life sentence would be excessive and disproportionate to the sentences received by Zavala's co-defendants, and that a 360-month sentence (rather than the life sentence prescribed by the Guidelines) was sufficient to promote respect for the law, provide adequate deterrence, and protect the public.

To the extent the sentencing judge's initial characterization was inopportune, we cannot say that it was significant procedural error because the court corrected itself. In actuality, the judge treated the Guidelines range as a baseline, and moved from there to tailor a sentence to the individualized offense and offender characteristics of Zavala's case in consideration of the § 3553(a) factors. See Kimbrough, 128 S.Ct. at 575 (noting that the district court could not have abused its discretion in reducing the sentence by 4.5 years when it began by properly calculating and considering the advisory Guidelines range, next addressed the relevant § 3553(a) factors, then arrived at a sentence that it reasoned was sufficient, but not greater than necessary, to accomplish the sentencing goals in § 3553(a)(2)); Gall, 128 S.Ct. at 596-97. Given the deference due the sentencing judge's individualized determination, and in light of all the circumstances in the case, the sentence imposed was reasonable. We affirm the judgment of the district court.

IV

Carty contends that the district court imposed a procedurally flawed sentence by failing to provide sufficient reasons for selecting a sentence at the bottom of the Guidelines range rather than a lesser sentence. Although the judge gave no explicit reasons for doing so, the arguments were straight-forward and uncomplicated, as they were in Rita. Rita argued for a sentence below the Guidelines range based on his health, fear of retaliation in prison, and military record. The judge listened to Rita's arguments and "then simply found these circumstances insufficient to warrant a sentence lower than the Guidelines range. . . . He must have believed that there was not much more to say." Rita, 127 S.Ct. at 2469. The Court upheld the sentence.

Here, the district judge had presided over Carty's trial. He reviewed the PSR and the parties' submissions that discussed applicability of § 3553(a) factors; and he listened to testimony adduced at the sentencing hearing and to argument by both parties. The judge acknowledged Carty's specially strong family support and the impact that prolonged incarceration would have. Based on all these factors, the judge imposed the sentence. The sentence was within, but at the low end of, the Guidelines range. "[W]hen a judge decides simply to apply the Guidelines to a particular case, doing so will not necessarily require lengthy explanation. Circumstances may well make clear that the judge rests his decision upon the Commission's own reasoning that the Guidelines sentence is a proper sentence (in terms of § 3553(a) and other congressional mandates) in the typical case, and that the judge has found that the case before him is typical." Rita, 127 S.Ct. at 2468.

Nothing suggests that this case is different. It was neither complex nor unusual. While Carty argued for a lesser sentence in consideration of his history and characteristics, the need for the sentence imposed, and the alternatives available, his proffered justifications were centered on his sons' need for his presence as a role model. In light of Carty's having sexually abused his minor niece on numerous occasions with his sons nearby, these justifications are not compelling enough to require an explanation for a sentence at the lowend of the Guidelines range. Given the circumstances, it is hard to imagine what the district judge might usefully have said.

Carty also maintains that, because the district court did not affirmatively state that it considered the § 3553(a) factors, we should assume that it did not and we should assume that it (impermissibly) treated the Guidelines sentence as the presumptively reasonable sentence. This we shall not do. First, "in the ordinary case, the Commission's recommendation of a sentencing range will 'reflect a rough approximation of sentences that might achieve § 3553(a)'s objectives.'" Kimbrough, 128 S.Ct. at 574 (quoting Rita, 127 S.Ct. at 2465). Further, the judge stated that he reviewed the papers; the papers discussed the applicability of § 3553(a) factors; therefore, we take it that the judge considered the relevant factors. This includes the "not greater than necessary" requirement. Rita, 127 S.Ct. at 2467. Finally, sentencing took place after Booker, and the parties' memoranda proceeded on the footing that the Guidelines were advisory. The district judge gave no indication that he felt bound by the Guidelines range or bound to treat the Guidelines sentence as presumptively reasonable.

In short, the sentencing judge "set forth enough to satisfy [us] that he has considered the parties' arguments and has a reasoned basis for exercising his own legal decisionmaking authority." Rita, 127 S.Ct. at 2468. And we see nothing unusual about Carty's circumstances to compel a lower sentence than the low-end of the Guidelines range. Therefore, discerning neither significant procedural error nor a substantively unreasonable sentence, we leave Carty's sentence in place and affirm the judgment.

AFFIRMED.