Lower over the period
U.S. Coal Production moved from 813.7 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 526.5 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−35.3%), an average of −5.3% a year. The series high was 813.7 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the low 485.7 Million Tonnes in 2020.
What U.S. Coal Production shows
U.S. Coal Production was 526.5 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 2.3% on 2022. The Coal Production dataset for the U.S. from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the country's coal production trends, mining activity, and developments across the coal industry. Measured in million tonnes, the dataset records the total annual volume of coal produced and serves as an important indicator of mining output, domestic resource utilization, energy supply, and industrial activity.
A 40.3% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2020) is 328 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −24.2% in 2020.
Ranks 4 of 30 countries covered
Among the 30 countries in this dataset, U.S. ranks 4 for 2023, behind China (4,710 Million Tonnes) and India (1,011 Million Tonnes). It accounts for 5.8% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
U.S. Coal Production by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million Tonnes.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Million Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 526.5 | −2.3% |
| 2022 | 539 | +2.9% |
| 2021 | 523.8 | +7.8% |
| 2020 Trough | 485.7 | −24.2% |
| 2019 | 640.8 | −6.6% |
| 2018 | 686 | −2.4% |
| 2017 | 702.7 | +6.3% |
| 2016 | 660.8 | −18.8% |
| 2015Peak | 813.7 | — |
Regional context
How U.S. compares in North America
Coal Production by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. U.S. is highlighted.
1U.S.526.5
2Canada48.60
3Mexico5.60
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Coal Production — - Coal Production refers to the total amount of coal extracted from surface and underground mines within a country during a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes and represents the output of raw coal before processing or consumption. The indicator includes the extraction of various coal types used for energy generation and industrial applications, reflecting a country's coal resource utilization, mining activity, and contribution to domestic and global coal supply. Coal Production is widely used to assess the performance of the mining sector, energy security, industrial development, and the availability of coal as a primary energy source.
The data includes the production of all major types of coal, including anthracite, bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, lignite (brown coal), and other commercially recoverable coal grades, where reported under national energy statistics. It covers coal extracted from both surface (open-pit) and underground mining operations for use in electricity generation, steel production, cement manufacturing, industrial processes, and other commercial applications. Production from both public and private mining operations is included, regardless of whether the coal is consumed domestically or exported. Data is compiled using standardized international energy reporting methodologies based on national mining statistics and industry sources, enabling consistent comparison of coal production across countries and over time.
The data excludes coal consumption, coal imports and exports, coal reserves, coal stock changes, and coal used after processing into secondary energy products. It also excludes coal-derived products such as coke, coke oven gas, coal tar, coal bed methane, synthetic fuels produced through coal-to-liquids (CTL) technologies, and other processed coal products unless specifically included in the reporting methodology. The indicator does not measure mining productivity, coal quality, calorific value, environmental impacts, or greenhouse gas emissions associated with coal production or use. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national reporting standards, coal classifications, moisture adjustments, and statistical estimation methodologies across countries.
About this indicator
Coal Production — - Coal Production refers to the total amount of coal extracted from surface and underground mines within a country during a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes and represents the output of raw coal before processing or consumption. The indicator includes the extraction of various coal types used for energy generation and industrial applications, reflecting a country's coal resource utilization, mining activity, and contribution to domestic and global coal supply. Coal Production is widely used to assess the performance of the mining sector, energy security, industrial development, and the availability of coal as a primary energy source.
It supports assessments of production performance, market conditions, and the changing role of coal within the U.S. energy sector.
U.S. coal production totaled 813.7 million tonnes in 2015 before declining to 660.8 million tonnes in 2016. Production recovered to 702.7 million tonnes in 2017 but eased slightly to 686.0 million tonnes in 2018. Output continued to decline, reaching 640.8 million tonnes in 2019 and falling sharply to 485.7 million tonnes in 2020, reflecting weaker electricity demand and reduced coal-fired power generation. Production rebounded to 523.8 million tonnes in 2021 and increased further to 539.0 million tonnes in 2022, supported by higher energy demand and favorable export conditions. In 2023, production moderated slightly to 526.5 million tonnes, remaining above 2020 levels but significantly below the production recorded at the beginning of the period.
Overall, the dataset highlights a long-term decline in U.S. coal production despite temporary recoveries during the review period. The trend reflects the increasing adoption of natural gas and renewable energy, mine closures, changing environmental regulations, and evolving electricity generation patterns, while export demand continued to provide support for selected producers.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating the U.S. coal industry, analyzing mining output trends, assessing energy supply dynamics, and supporting market research, investment planning, policy formulation, and strategic decision-making related to coal production and the broader energy sector.
- Indicator
- Coal Production
- Country
- U.S.
- Region
- North America
- Unit
- Million Tonnes
- Coverage
- 2015–2023, annual
- Category
- Energy & Power
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- energyinst.org
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Frequently asked questions
What is U.S. Coal Production?
Definition- Coal Production refers to the total amount of coal extracted from surface and underground mines within a country during a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes and represents the output of raw coal before processing or consumption. The indicator includes the extraction of various coal types used for energy generation and industrial applications, reflecting a country's coal resource utilization, mining activity, and contribution to domestic and global coal supply. Coal Production is widely used to assess the performance of the mining sector, energy security, industrial development, and the availability of coal as a primary energy source.
What was U.S. Coal Production in 2023?
U.S. Coal Production was 526.5 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 2.3% on 2022.
How has U.S. Coal Production changed between 2015 and 2023?
U.S. Coal Production moved from 813.7 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 526.5 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−35.3%), an average of −5.3% a year. The series high was 813.7 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the low 485.7 Million Tonnes in 2020.
Which year had the highest and lowest U.S. Coal Production?
The highest value was 813.7 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the lowest was 485.7 Million Tonnes in 2020.
What does the U.S. Coal Production data include and exclude?
Included: The data includes the production of all major types of coal, including anthracite, bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, lignite (brown coal), and other commercially recoverable coal grades, where reported under national energy statistics. It covers coal extracted from both surface (open-pit) and underground mining operations for use in electricity generation, steel production, cement manufacturing, industrial processes, and other commercial applications. Production from both public and private mining operations is included, regardless of whether the coal is consumed domestically or exported. Data is compiled using standardized international energy reporting methodologies based on national mining statistics and industry sources, enabling consistent comparison of coal production across countries and over time. Excluded: The data excludes coal consumption, coal imports and exports, coal reserves, coal stock changes, and coal used after processing into secondary energy products. It also excludes coal-derived products such as coke, coke oven gas, coal tar, coal bed methane, synthetic fuels produced through coal-to-liquids (CTL) technologies, and other processed coal products unless specifically included in the reporting methodology. The indicator does not measure mining productivity, coal quality, calorific value, environmental impacts, or greenhouse gas emissions associated with coal production or use. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national reporting standards, coal classifications, moisture adjustments, and statistical estimation methodologies across countries.
Where does the U.S. Coal Production data come from?
The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Million Tonnes.
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