Facts & Figures

The United States exports more coal to other countries than it imports. Between 2018 and 2023, about 15 percent of the coal produced in the United States, on average, was exported to other countries. According to the World Energy Council, more than one-fourth of the world’s economically recoverable coal reserves are in the United States – making the U.S. the largest repository of coal in the world.

In 2023, the United States exported almost 100 MMst (MMst=million short tons) of coal to at least 50 countries. Metallurgical coal can be used for steel production, and steam coal can be used for electricity generation. Metallurgical coal accounted for about 52 percent of total U.S. coal exports in 2023, while steam coal accounted for 48 percent of total U.S. coal exports.

About 64 percent of United States coal exports in 2023 went to six countries. The top six destinations of U.S. coal exports, the amount exported, and their percent shares of total coal exports in 2023 were:

India—24.8 MMst—25%
Japan—9.9 MMst—10%
The Netherlands—9.8 MMst—10%
Brazil—7.5 MMst—8%
China—6.4 MMst—6%
South Korea—5.9 MMst—6%

Read more on these pages:

• • How is U.S. Coal Exported?
  • Where is U.S. Coal Exported?
  • Environmental Responsibility
  • Reports and Resources

Fast Facts

Coal is present in 38 states and underlies nearly half a million square miles — or 13 percent of the nation’s land area.

The state with the most coal production is Wyoming, which mined approximately 237 million tons in 2023.

Of the coal mined in the United States, more than 90 percent is used to generate electricity at home and abroad.