Facts & Figures

The United States exports more coal to other countries than it imports. Between 2016 and 2021, about 13 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 2021, the United States exported almost 85 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 53 percent of total U.S. coal exports in 2020, while steam coal accounted for 47 percent of total U.S. coal exports.

About 58 percent of U.S. coal exports in 2021 went to five countries. The top five destinations of U.S. coal exports, the amount exported, and their percent shares of total coal exports in 2021 were:

India—15.36 MMst—18%
China—12.81 MMst—15%
Japan—7.57 MMst—9%
The Netherlands—7.14 MMst—8%
South Korea—6.38 MMst—8%

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 239 million tons in 2021.

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