U.S. Refinery Utilization
Recent values
| Date | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 16, 2026 | 93.4% | -0.1 |
| Oct 9, 2026 | 93.5% | +0.8 |
| Oct 2, 2026 | 92.7% | +0.2 |
| Sep 25, 2026 | 92.5% | -1.5 |
| Sep 18, 2026 | 94.0% | -2.8 |
| Sep 11, 2026 | 96.8% | -1.0 |
| Sep 4, 2026 | 97.8% | -0.2 |
| Aug 28, 2026 | 98.0% | +0.6 |
| Aug 21, 2026 | 97.4% | +0.2 |
| Aug 14, 2026 | 97.2% | +1.0 |
| Refinery utilization | 93.4% | -0.1 | Oct 16, 2026 |
| Refinery crude runs | 16.6 | 0.0 | Oct 16, 2026 |
Refinery utilization is the share of U.S. refining capacity actually in use. When it runs high, refiners are processing crude hard and fuel supply is ample. When it drops, from seasonal turnarounds, storms, or unplanned outages, supply tightens and wholesale diesel and gasoline tend to firm.
Crude runs, the barrels per day refineries process, is the companion number. Together they tell you how much product is being made right now, which is the supply side of every fuel price.
Frequently asked
What is the current U.S. refinery utilization rate?
The figure above is the latest EIA weekly U.S. refinery utilization percentage, alongside crude runs in million barrels per day.
Why does refinery utilization matter for fuel prices?
It is a direct read on supply. High utilization means more gasoline and diesel reaching the market; a sharp drop can tighten supply and push wholesale prices up quickly.
When is refinery utilization updated?
Weekly, on Wednesday, in the EIA Weekly Petroleum Status Report (Thursday in a holiday week).