United States Capacity Utilization

Last Release

Sep 30, 2024

Actual

77.5

Units In

77.8

Frequency

Monthly

Next Release

Nov 15, 2024

Time to Release

28 Days 10 Hours

Highest	Lowest	Average	Date Range	Source
89.4 Jan 1967	63.4 Apr 2020	79.94 %	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 77.5% in September 2024, marking a new 8-month low, from a downwardly revised 77.8% in August and below forecasts of 77.8%. The rate is now 2.2 percentage points below its long-run average. Capacity utilization for manufacturing moved down to 76.7%, a rate that is 1.6 percentage points below its long-run average. Moreover, the operating rate for mining declined to 88.7%, while the operating rate for utilities rose to 71.2%. The rate for mining was 2.2 percentage points above its long-run average, while the rate for utilities remained substantially below its long-run average.