United States Capacity Utilization

Last Release

Nov 30, 2024

Actual

76.8

Units In

Frequency

Monthly

Next Release

Jan 17, 2025

Time to Release

29 Days 14 Hours

Highest	Lowest	Average	Date Range	Source
89.4 Jan 1967	63.4 Apr 2020	79.93 %	1967-2024	Federal Reserve

Capacity utilization rate is used to measure the rate at which potential output levels are being met or used. The capacity indexes cover all facilities located in the United States, regardless of their ownership; and are constructed for 89 detailed industries (71 in manufacturing, 16 in mining, and 2 in utilities).

Latest Updates

Capacity utilization in the US fell to 76.8% in November 2024, the lowest reading since April 2021, from a downwardly revised 77% in October and below forecasts of 77.3%. The rate is now 2.9 percentage points below its long-run average. Capacity utilization for manufacturing inched up 0.1 percentage point in November to 76.0 percent, a rate that is 2.3 percentage points below its long-run average. The operating rate for mining decreased 0.7 percentage point to 88.8 percent, and the operating rate for utilities moved down 1.2 percentage points to 70.0 percent. The rate for mining was 2.3 percentage points above its long-run average, while the rate for utilities remained substantially below its long-run average.