Karel Busta

Dataset

When and how long Americans sleep (American Time Use Survey)

Share of Americans asleep at each minute of the day, average sleep by age, and the 2003–2025 trend, computed from BLS ATUS time-diary microdata.

Source
American Time Use Survey 2003–2025, U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. American Time Use Survey 2003–2025 Multi-Year Microdata Files (Activity summary file atussum-0325, Activity file atusact-0325). Released June 2026. https://www.bls.gov/tus/data/datafiles-0325.htm
Sample
258,954 respondents (one diary day each), 2003–2025; 39,586 respondents in the pooled 2021–2025 tables
Coverage
United States, civilian noninstitutional population age 15 and over; diary days 2003–2025 (no diaries for Mar 18–May 9, 2020)
License
Public domain: a work of the U.S. federal government (BLS), not subject to copyright in the United States (17 U.S.C. § 105); BLS asks that it be cited as the source, see https://www.bls.gov/opub/copyright-information.htm
Retrieved
October 14, 2026
Download
All tables (JSON)Share of Americans asleep, minute by minute (2021–2025) (CSV)Average sleep by age (2021–2025) (CSV)Average sleep per day, 2003–2025 (CSV)
See also

Caveats

  • ATUS 'sleeping' is self-reported in a time diary, not measured. It includes naps, dozing, falling asleep, waking up and getting up, plus 'sleeplessness' (lying awake, tossing and turning). In practice it is closer to time in bed trying to sleep than to physiological sleep, which is why the averages (about 9 h/day) are higher than survey or actigraphy estimates of sleep.
  • Only the primary activity is recorded. Someone who dozes off in front of the TV but reports 'watching TV' counts as awake.
  • Each respondent reports one day. The minute-by-minute curve is the share of different people asleep at each minute, not a typical person's night.
  • Diaries run from 4:00 a.m. on the diary day to 4:00 a.m. the next day. On the clock-time curve, 00:00–03:59 is the night after the diary day, so the weekend curve's early hours are Saturday and Sunday nights, not Friday night.
  • People round reported times, so the curves have steps at the hour and half-hour (for example the drop at 7:00).
  • 2020 is a partial year: data collection stopped from March 18 to May 9. Its value is not an annual average and is not comparable with other years. BLS did not publish an annual 2020 estimate.
  • 2025 has no diaries for September 30–November 11 because of the federal shutdown, and 2013 has none for September 30–October 15. BLS weights the remaining days of the quarter to stand in for the missing ones.
  • Sample sizes have fallen from 20,720 respondents in 2003 to 6,146 in 2025, so recent single years are noisier.

Built from this dataset

Share of Americans asleep, minute by minute (2021–2025)

Weighted % of people 15+ whose primary activity at each clock minute was sleeping (ATUS code 0101: sleeping, napping and spells of sleeplessness), ATUS 2021–2025 pooled. One row per minute 00:00–23:59; one column per day type × age group. Minutes 04:00–23:59 are from the diary day, 00:00–03:59 from the following night. n: all=39586, all_15_24=2800, all_25_34=5285, all_35_44=6430, all_45_54=5379, all_55_64=6614, all_65p=13078, wd=19691, wd_15_24=1401, wd_25_34=2641, wd_35_44=3233, wd_45_54=2679, wd_55_64=3248, wd_65p=6489, we=19895, we_15_24=1399, we_25_34=2644, we_35_44=3197, we_45_54=2700, we_55_64=3366, we_65p=6589.

Share of Americans asleep, minute by minute (2021–2025)
Minute of dayTimeAll days, 15+ (%)All days, 15–24 (%)All days, 25–34 (%)All days, 35–44 (%)All days, 45–54 (%)All days, 55–64 (%)All days, 65+ (%)Weekdays, 15+ (%)Weekdays, 15–24 (%)Weekdays, 25–34 (%)Weekdays, 35–44 (%)Weekdays, 45–54 (%)Weekdays, 55–64 (%)Weekdays, 65+ (%)Weekends & holidays, 15+ (%)Weekends & holidays, 15–24 (%)Weekends & holidays, 25–34 (%)Weekends & holidays, 35–44 (%)Weekends & holidays, 45–54 (%)Weekends & holidays, 55–64 (%)Weekends & holidays, 65+ (%)
000:0086.580.584.787.788.38889.2878185.787.988.888.589.685.379.382.38787.18788.3
100:0186.580.584.887.788.388.189.287.18185.987.988.888.589.685.379.382.487.187.28788.3
200:0286.680.68587.788.488.289.387.281.28687.988.988.689.785.479.482.687.287.287.188.4
300:0386.780.78587.788.488.289.387.281.28687.988.988.789.785.579.582.687.287.287.188.4
400:0486.780.78587.788.488.289.487.281.28687.988.988.789.885.579.582.687.287.287.188.5
500:0587.281.385.688.288.788.789.787.681.686.688.389.289.390.186.180.683.587.987.587.688.8
600:0687.281.385.788.288.788.889.787.781.686.788.389.289.390.186.180.683.587.987.587.688.8
700:0787.281.385.888.288.888.889.787.781.686.888.389.389.390.186.180.683.58887.687.688.8
800:0887.281.385.988.288.888.989.787.781.686.888.389.389.490.186.280.783.68887.687.788.8
900:0987.381.385.988.288.888.989.887.781.686.888.389.389.490.286.280.783.68887.887.788.8
1000:1087.781.886.588.68989.190.188.18287.488.889.589.690.586.681.184.388.48887.989.2
1100:1187.781.886.588.78989.190.188.18287.488.889.589.690.586.681.384.488.48887.989.2
1200:1287.781.986.588.78989.190.288.182.187.488.889.589.690.686.781.384.588.48887.989.2
1300:1387.781.986.588.78989.190.288.282.287.488.989.589.690.686.781.484.588.48887.989.2
1400:1487.781.986.688.88989.190.288.282.287.588.989.589.690.686.781.484.588.48887.989.2
1500:1588.382.487.389.389.889.790.888.882.78889.590.490.291.287.381.785.588.888.388.589.9
1600:1688.482.487.389.489.889.790.888.882.788.189.690.490.291.287.381.785.688.988.488.589.9
1700:1788.482.487.389.489.889.790.888.882.788.189.690.490.291.287.381.785.688.988.488.589.9
1800:1888.482.587.489.489.889.790.988.882.788.189.690.490.291.287.48285.788.988.588.590
1900:1988.482.587.489.489.889.790.988.882.788.189.690.490.291.287.48285.788.988.588.590
2000:2088.782.987.889.790.289.991.289.183.188.49090.690.491.687.882.586.389.189.288.790.3
2100:2188.88387.889.790.289.991.289.183.188.49090.790.591.687.882.886.389.189.288.790.3
2200:2288.88387.889.790.29091.289.283.188.49090.790.591.687.982.886.489.289.288.890.3
2300:2388.88387.989.790.29091.289.283.188.59090.790.591.687.982.886.489.289.288.890.3
2400:2488.883.187.989.890.29091.289.283.288.59090.790.591.687.982.886.489.289.288.890.3
2500:258983.4889090.490.191.289.483.688.690.390.990.691.688.18386.789.489.38990.4
2600:268983.5889090.490.191.389.483.788.690.390.990.691.688.18386.789.489.38990.4
2700:278983.5889090.490.291.389.483.788.690.390.990.691.688.18386.789.489.38990.4
2800:288983.5889090.590.291.389.483.788.690.39190.691.688.18386.789.489.38990.4
2900:298983.5889090.590.291.389.483.788.690.39190.691.688.18386.789.489.38990.4
3000:3090.184.889.39191.391.192.390.484.989.891.291.491.692.789.384.48890.690.989.991.3
3100:3190.184.889.39191.391.192.390.484.989.891.291.591.692.889.384.588.190.690.99091.3
3200:3290.184.889.39191.391.192.490.484.989.891.291.591.692.889.384.588.290.690.99091.3
3300:3390.184.889.391.191.391.192.490.484.989.891.291.591.692.989.484.688.290.790.99091.3
3400:3490.184.889.391.191.391.192.490.484.989.891.291.591.692.989.484.688.290.790.99091.3
3500:3590.38589.691.391.691.392.690.785.190.291.391.891.89389.684.888.391.191.290.191.5
3600:3690.485.289.691.391.691.392.690.785.390.291.391.891.89389.684.988.391.191.290.191.5
3700:3790.485.289.791.391.691.392.690.785.390.391.491.891.89389.684.988.391.191.290.191.5
3800:3890.485.389.791.391.691.392.690.785.490.391.491.891.89389.684.988.391.191.290.191.5
3900:3990.485.389.791.391.791.392.690.785.490.391.491.891.89389.785.188.491.191.390.191.5
4000:4090.785.69091.691.991.492.89185.990.691.892.191.993.289.885.188.791.391.590.291.7
4100:4190.785.69091.691.991.492.89185.990.691.892.191.993.289.885.188.791.391.590.291.7
4200:4290.785.69091.79291.592.89185.890.691.892.191.993.289.985.188.791.491.590.391.7
4300:4390.785.79091.79291.592.891.18690.691.892.191.993.289.985.188.791.491.590.391.7
4400:4490.785.79091.79291.592.891.18690.691.892.191.993.289.985.188.791.491.590.391.7
4500:459186.190.39292.191.792.991.386.390.89292.392.293.490.285.689.291.891.790.791.9
4600:469186.190.49292.191.792.991.386.390.99292.392.293.490.285.789.291.891.790.791.9
4700:479186.190.49292.191.892.991.386.390.99292.392.293.490.385.789.291.891.790.891.9
4800:489186.190.49292.191.892.991.386.390.99292.392.293.490.385.789.291.891.790.891.9
4900:499186.190.49292.191.892.991.386.390.99292.392.293.490.385.789.391.891.790.891.9

First 50 of 1,440 rows. Download all as CSV

Average sleep by age (2021–2025)

Weighted average hours per day spent sleeping (ATUS code 0101, includes naps and sleeplessness), ATUS 2021–2025 pooled, by 5-year age band. Weekends include the 7 BLS holidays.

Average sleep by age (2021–2025)
AgeAge from (years)Age to (years)Sleep, all days (h/day)Sleep, weekdays (h/day)Sleep, weekends & holidays (h/day)RespondentsRespondents (weekday diary)Respondents (weekend/holiday diary)
All 15+15–9.028.769.6339,58619,69119,895
15–1915199.899.4910.841,301651650
20–2420249.579.2710.271,499750749
25–2925299.238.8810.022,2481,1241,124
30–3430348.848.529.583,0371,5171,520
35–3935398.758.449.53,3611,6931,668
40–4440448.658.319.453,0691,5401,529
45–4945498.758.379.632,6571,3221,335
50–5450548.688.369.442,7221,3571,365
55–5955598.818.539.452,9721,4321,540
60–6460648.838.659.243,6421,8161,826
65–6965698.958.849.223,9922,0381,954
70–7470748.978.929.093,5921,7551,837
75–7975799.149.129.162,7041,3311,373
80–8480849.259.279.21,682809873
85+85–9.649.729.441,108556552

16 rows. Download all as CSV

Average sleep per day, 2003–2025

Weighted average hours per day spent sleeping, people 15+, by ATUS year. `hours` uses the BLS definition (code 0101) and reproduces BLS Table A-1 'Sleeping'.

Average sleep per day, 2003–2025
YearSleeping (h/day)Sleeping (010101 only) (h/day)Sleeplessness (min/day)RespondentsWeight variableNote
2,0038.578.541.720,720TUFNWGTP–
2,0048.558.52.813,973TUFNWGTP–
2,0058.628.563.713,038TUFNWGTP–
2,0068.638.564.112,943TUFNWGTP–
2,0078.578.514.112,248TUFNWGTP–
2,0088.68.543.712,723TUFNWGTP–
2,0098.678.64.113,133TUFNWGTP–
2,0108.678.613.313,260TUFNWGTP–
2,0118.718.663.112,479TUFNWGTP–
2,0128.738.683.312,443TUFNWGTP–
2,0138.748.683.511,385TUFNWGTPNo diaries for Sep 30–Oct 15, 2013 (federal shutdown); BLS weights the remaining Q4 diaries to represent the full quarter.
2,0148.88.743.511,592TUFNWGTP–
2,0158.838.764.210,905TUFNWGTP–
2,0168.798.724.210,493TUFNWGTP–
2,0178.88.715.410,223TUFNWGTP–
2,0188.828.725.69,593TUFNWGTP–
2,0198.848.755.69,435TUFNWGTP–
2,02098.924.48,782TU20FWGTPartial year: no diaries for Mar 18–May 9, 2020 (COVID-19 suspension). Not an annual estimate; BLS published none for 2020.
2,0218.958.884.49,087TUFNWGTP–
2,0229.028.954.18,136TUFNWGTP–
2,0239.0794.48,548TUFNWGTP–
2,0249.048.964.37,669TUFNWGTP–
2,0259.038.973.66,146TUFNWGTPNo diaries for Sep 30–Nov 11, 2025 (federal shutdown); BLS weights the remaining Q4 diaries to represent the full quarter.

23 rows. Download all as CSV

Methodology

What was measured

The American Time Use Survey (ATUS) is run by the Census Bureau for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Each respondent is one person age 15 or older, drawn from households finishing the Current Population Survey. They report by phone what they did on the previous day, from 4:00 a.m. on that day to 4:00 a.m. on the interview day. Every activity gets a start time, a stop time and a 6-digit code from the ATUS Coding Lexicon.

Sleeping means ATUS 2nd-tier code 0101, the code BLS uses for its published "Sleeping" estimates (Table A-1 and news release Table 1, footnote: "Includes naps and spells of sleeplessness"). It covers:

  • 010101 Sleeping. The 2025 lexicon examples include sleeping, napping, dozing, falling asleep, waking up and getting up.
  • 010102 Sleeplessness. Examples include insomnia, lying awake, tossing and turning and counting sheep.
  • 010199 Sleeping, n.e.c. This code is almost never used.

Including 010102 means the % asleep curve and the hours do count time spent lying awake in bed. We kept it so these numbers use the same definition as every BLS publication, and so the area under the curve equals the average hours. The effect is small: sleeplessness averages 1.7–5.6 minutes a day depending on the year (minutes_010102 in the trend table). The trend table also gives hours_010101, which leaves sleeplessness out.

Processing (ingest/atus-sleep/build.ts)

Inputs are the BLS 2003–2025 multi-year files, listed with their sha256 in ingest/atus-sleep/manifest.json. The Activity summary file (atussum_0325.dat) has one row per respondent, with minutes per activity code, age, diary day, holiday flag and weights. The Activity file (atusact_0325.dat) has one row per diary episode.

Weights. Each respondent's final weight is used. That is TUFNWGTP for every year except 2020. TUFNWGTP is the multi-year weight, built with the 2006 method so that it is comparable across years. TUFNWGTP is missing for 2020, so 2020 uses TU20FWGT. That weight represents only Jan 1–Mar 17 and May 10–Dec 31, 2020 (User's Guide §7.2 and §9.2.2). No respondents were dropped, and every respondent had a positive weight.

Estimators (ATUS User's Guide §7.4):

  • Average hours per day = Σ wᵢ·Tᵢ / Σ wᵢ / 60, where Tᵢ = t010101 + t010102 + t010199 minutes for respondent i.
  • % asleep at minute m = 100 · Σ wᵢ·Iᵢ(m) / Σ wᵢ, where Iᵢ(m) = 1 if respondent i's diary episode covering minute m has code 010101, 010102 or 010199.

Both sums run over the respondents in the group. Episode spans come from the Activity file: an episode covers diary minutes [TUCUMDUR24 − TUACTDUR24, TUCUMDUR24), counted from 4:00 a.m. and with the last episode cut off at 4:00 a.m. The build checks that every diary covers exactly 1,440 minutes. It also checks that each respondent's sleep minutes in the Activity file equal the Activity summary file. Finally it checks that the area under the all-days curve (9.0219 h) matches the directly computed pooled average (9.02 h).

Day type. We follow the BLS definition. Weekdays are Monday–Friday diary days that are not holidays. Weekends and holidays are Saturdays and Sundays (TUDIARYDAY = 7 or 1) plus the holidays flagged by TRHOLIDAY = 1: New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. ATUS samples weekend days more heavily, so about half of respondents have a weekend or holiday diary. The weights restore each day's real share.

Age. Age is TEAGE, which BLS top-codes: since 2005, TEAGE = 80 means 80–84 and 85 means 85 and older.

Pooling. The by-minute and by-age tables pool the five latest years, 2021–2025. All of them come after the 2020 suspension, and pooling gives stable curves. The pooled sample is 9,087 + 8,136 + 8,548 + 7,669 + 6,146 = 39,586 respondents. Raw weights are pooled without rescaling. Each year's weights add up to that year's person-days, so every year counts in proportion to its population.

Tables

  • by-minute. One row per clock minute (minute 0–1439, time 00:00–23:59), with 21 columns of % asleep: day type (all, wd = weekdays, we = weekends & holidays) × age group (15+, 15_24, 25_34, 35_44, 45_54, 55_64, 65p). Values are rounded to 0.1 percentage point. Clock minute c corresponds to diary minute (c − 240) mod 1440, so 04:00–23:59 is the diary day and 00:00–03:59 is the following night. Each column's respondent count is in its description. Counts range from 1,399 (weekend, 15–24) to 39,586 (all).
  • by-age. Average hours of sleeping per day (2 decimals) for all days, weekdays and weekends & holidays, by 5-year age band (15–19 … 80–84, 85+) plus "All 15+", with the respondent count for each.
  • trend. Average hours of sleeping per day for each year 2003–2025, people 15+ (hours, code 0101). Also hours_010101, minutes_010102, the respondent count, the weight variable used, and a note for the years with data gaps (2013, 2020, 2025).

Verification against BLS published estimates

trend.hours was compared with the "Sleeping" row of BLS Table A-1 for each published year (https://www.bls.gov/tus/tables/a1_2003.pdf … a1-2025.pdf, all persons, "Average hours per day, civilian population"). Shown as published / this dataset (unrounded):

Year BLS A-1 This dataset Year BLS A-1 This dataset
2003 8.57 8.567 2015 8.83 8.834
2004 8.55 8.546 2016 8.79 8.787
2005 8.62 8.625 2017 8.80 8.803
2006 8.63 8.627 2018 8.82 8.816
2007 8.57 8.574 2019 8.84 8.841
2008 8.60 8.602 2021 8.95 8.951
2009 8.67 8.672 2022 9.02 9.016
2010 8.67 8.665 2023 9.07 9.071
2011 8.71 8.714 2024 9.04 9.036
2012 8.73 8.731 2025 9.03 9.033
2013 8.74 8.738
2014 8.80 8.797

All 22 published years match to the published two decimals. 2005 sits exactly on a rounding boundary (8.6250). BLS's single-year 2003–2005 tables used that year's weighting method rather than the 2006 method behind TUFNWGTP, so tiny differences are possible in those years. Code 010101 alone would not match: it is 0.03–0.09 h lower. BLS published no annual 2020 Table A-1.

The weekday/weekend split was also checked for 2025. BLS news release Table 2 reports 8.76 h on weekdays and 9.68 h on weekends and holidays. The same code run on the 2025 respondents alone gives 8.756 and 9.680. That split is not a table in this dataset; the check only confirms the day-type definition.

Generated October 14, 2026 by apps/data/ingest/atus-sleep/build.ts in the site's repository.