Industrial capacity utilization in the US rose to 76.9% in September 2026, the highest since December 2023, from an upwardly revised 76.4% in August and above market expectations of 76.5%. Despite the improvement since the beginning of the year, the figure remained below its long-run average of 79.4%. Among the major sectors, the rate for mining edged up 0.1 percentage point to 87.5%, about 2.3 percentage points above its long-run average. The operating rate for utilities increased 2.3 percentage points to 73.8%, though it remained 10.2 percentage points below its historical average. Capacity utilization for manufacturing increased 0.1 percentage point to 75.9%, a rate that is 2.3 percentage points below its long run average. source: Federal Reserve

Capacity Utilization in the United States increased to 76.90 percent in September from 76.40 percent in August of 2026. Capacity Utilization in the United States averaged 79.80 percent from 1967 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 89.40 percent in January of 1967 and a record low of 64.10 percent in April of 2020. This page provides the latest reported value for - United States Capacity Utilization - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. United States Capacity Utilization - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on October of 2026.

Capacity Utilization in the United States increased to 76.90 percent in September from 76.40 percent in August of 2026. Capacity Utilization in the United States is expected to be 76.70 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United States Capacity Utilization is projected to trend around 77.00 percent in 2027 and 76.80 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-09-18 01:15 PM
Capacity Utilization
Aug 76.3% 76.3% 76.4% 76.4%
2026-10-16 01:15 PM
Capacity Utilization
Sep 76.9% 76.4% 76.5% 76.5%
2026-11-17 02:15 PM
Capacity Utilization
Oct 76.9%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Capacity Utilization 76.90 76.40 percent Sep 2026
Car Production 10.21 10.61 Million Units Sep 2026
Industrial Production YoY 2.20 1.60 percent Sep 2026
Industrial Production MoM 0.70 0.10 percent Sep 2026
Manufacturing Production YoY 1.10 0.90 percent Sep 2026
Manufacturing Production MoM 0.30 -0.20 Percent Sep 2026
Mining Production 2.80 1.60 percent Sep 2026


United States Capacity Utilization
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).
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
76.90 76.40 89.40 64.10 1967 - 2026 percent Monthly
Seasonally Adjusted

News Stream
US Capacity Utilization Tops Forecasts
Industrial capacity utilization in the US rose to 76.9% in September 2026, the highest since December 2023, from an upwardly revised 76.4% in August and above market expectations of 76.5%. Despite the improvement since the beginning of the year, the figure remained below its long-run average of 79.4%. Among the major sectors, the rate for mining edged up 0.1 percentage point to 87.5%, about 2.3 percentage points above its long-run average. The operating rate for utilities increased 2.3 percentage points to 73.8%, though it remained 10.2 percentage points below its historical average. Capacity utilization for manufacturing increased 0.1 percentage point to 75.9%, a rate that is 2.3 percentage points below its long run average.
2026-10-16
US Capacity Utilization Holds at 1-Year High
Industrial capacity utilization in the US was unchanged from the previous month at 76.3% in August of 2026, the highest in one year, but slightly under market expectations of 76.4%. Despite the growing momentum since the start of the year, the result remained well under the long-run average of 79.4%. Capacity rose for manufacturing (76% vs 75.9 in July) as utilization rates continued to surge for computer and electronic products (77.2% vs 76.2%) and electrical equipment (86.6% vs 85.5%), aligned with soaring levels of capital expenditure on AI infrastructure and compute. Meanwhile, nondurable manufacturing utilization rates fell to 75.6% from 76%.
2026-09-18
US Capacity Utilization Reaches Highest in a Year
US capacity utilization edged up to 76.3% in July 2026, the highest level in a year, from an upwardly revised 76.2% in June, matching market expectations. Despite the modest increase, the utilization rate remained 3.1 percentage points below its 1972-2025 historical average. Among the major sectors, utilities utilization rose the most, increasing 0.2 percentage points to 70%, although it also remained below its historical average. Manufacturing utilization increased 0.1 percentage point to 76%. Mining utilization also rose 0.1 percentage point to 86.1%, staying 0.9 percentage points above its long-term average.
2026-08-18