Level Chart

Basic Info

US Output Gap is at 2.20%, compared to 1.69% last quarter and 2.16% last year. This is higher than the long term average of -0.16%.

The US Output Gap is the difference between actual GDP or actual output and potential GDP. The calculation for the output gap is Y–Y* where Y is actual output and Y* is potential output. If this calculation yields a positive number it is called an inflationary gap and indicates the growth of aggregate demand is outpacing the growth of aggregate supply—possibly creating inflation; if the calculation yields a negative number it is called a recessionary gap—possibly signifying deflation.

Stats

Last Value 2.20%
Latest Period Sep 2025
Last Updated Jan 22 2026, 16:31 EST
Long Term Average -0.16%
Average Growth Rate -115.0%
Value from Last Quarter 1.69%
Change from Last Quarter 30.08%
Value from 1 Year Ago 2.16%
Change from 1 Year Ago 1.57%
Frequency Quarterly
Unit Percent of GDP
Adjustment N/A
Formula US GDP Gap * 100.00 / US Real Potential GDP

Historical Data

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Date Value
September 30, 2025 2.20%
June 30, 2025 1.69%
March 31, 2025 1.31%
December 31, 2024 2.05%
September 30, 2024 2.16%
June 30, 2024 1.91%
March 31, 2024 1.60%
December 31, 2023 1.97%
September 30, 2023 1.70%
June 30, 2023 1.11%
March 31, 2023 1.04%
December 31, 2022 0.88%
September 30, 2022 0.75%
June 30, 2022 0.58%
March 31, 2022 0.97%
December 31, 2021 1.77%
September 30, 2021 0.58%
June 30, 2021 0.27%
March 31, 2021 -0.92%
December 31, 2020 -1.81%
September 30, 2020 -2.43%
June 30, 2020 -9.02%
March 31, 2020 -0.76%
December 31, 2019 1.07%
September 30, 2019 0.89%
Date Value
June 30, 2019 0.25%
March 31, 2019 -0.06%
December 31, 2018 -0.15%
September 30, 2018 0.24%
June 30, 2018 0.14%
March 31, 2018 0.14%
December 31, 2017 -0.16%
September 30, 2017 -0.78%
June 30, 2017 -1.07%
March 31, 2017 -1.14%
December 31, 2016 -1.15%
September 30, 2016 -1.22%
June 30, 2016 -1.43%
March 31, 2016 -1.27%
December 31, 2015 -1.35%
September 30, 2015 -1.05%
June 30, 2015 -0.95%
March 31, 2015 -1.08%
December 31, 2014 -1.48%
September 30, 2014 -1.50%
June 30, 2014 -2.21%
March 31, 2014 -3.00%
December 31, 2013 -2.21%
September 30, 2013 -2.60%
June 30, 2013 -2.98%

Basic Info

US Output Gap is at 2.20%, compared to 1.69% last quarter and 2.16% last year. This is higher than the long term average of -0.16%.

The US Output Gap is the difference between actual GDP or actual output and potential GDP. The calculation for the output gap is Y–Y* where Y is actual output and Y* is potential output. If this calculation yields a positive number it is called an inflationary gap and indicates the growth of aggregate demand is outpacing the growth of aggregate supply—possibly creating inflation; if the calculation yields a negative number it is called a recessionary gap—possibly signifying deflation.

Stats

Last Value 2.20%
Latest Period Sep 2025
Last Updated Jan 22 2026, 16:31 EST
Long Term Average -0.16%
Average Growth Rate -115.0%
Value from Last Quarter 1.69%
Change from Last Quarter 30.08%
Value from 1 Year Ago 2.16%
Change from 1 Year Ago 1.57%
Frequency Quarterly
Unit Percent of GDP
Adjustment N/A
Formula US GDP Gap * 100.00 / US Real Potential GDP