The trend over time.
The latest available read: Capacity Utilization is at 76.9% as of September 2026. Source: FRED · TCU. CSV and PNG downloads cover the selected date range.
What Capacity Utilization measures.
The percentage of industrial capacity in use across manufacturing, mining and utilities, from the Federal Reserve.
A high rate suggests factories are running near their limits, which can pressure prices and prompt new investment. A low rate means slack. The long-run average is roughly 80 percent, so readings are best compared with that.
Why it matters.
When factories run hotter, companies hire more workers and inflation pressures can build, which affects your wages and what you pay for goods. A capacity utilization rate this high suggests the economy still has room to grow without triggering runaway price increases.
Where it fits.
Capacity Utilization is covered on the Growth page.