Key facts
- New data is available from the 2025 American Time Use Survey.
- Personal care, including sleep, occupies the most time for Americans.
- Work and leisure activities are the next largest time allocations.
- Time use varies based on age, gender, and employment status.
- The survey reveals how Americans allocate their daily hours.
The 2025 American Time Use Survey has released new data detailing how individuals in the United States allocate their time across various activities. The survey indicates that personal care, which includes essential activities such as sleeping, eating, and grooming, occupies the largest segment of an average American's day. Following personal care, work-related activities and leisure pursuits represent the next most time-consuming categories. The survey highlights that these time allocations are not uniform across the population. Significant differences in how time is spent are evident when examining data segmented by age, gender, and employment status. For instance, individuals in different age brackets may prioritize sleep or leisure differently, while gender can influence the distribution of time between work and household responsibilities. Employment status also plays a crucial role, with those employed full-time likely dedicating more hours to work compared to part-time workers or those not in the labor force. The survey aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of daily life patterns and the diverse ways Americans structure their time.