75%
of U.S. adults read a book
in print, digital or audio form during the previous 12 months.
2025 surveyPew Research Center
Reference page
U.S. reading and wellbeing statistics
A current, source-led snapshot of how Americans read and the wellbeing context that can make a practical book feel worth reaching for. Last updated November 3, 2026.
How to use this page
The useful context behind a quiet reading habit.
Reading is personal. These figures do not say that a book can diagnose, treat or replace professional care. They show the scale of reading across formats, the time people are able to make for it, and why practical, compassionate resources matter to many readers.
Every figure below links to the organization that published it, with the study year included beside the statistic. That makes it easier to quote accurately and check the original context.
Reading in the U.S.
Books reach readers in more than one way.
The latest Pew survey shows that print remains widely used, while e-books and audiobooks give readers different ways to fit a book into daily life.
64%
of U.S. adults read a print book
during the previous 12 months.
2025 surveyPew Research Center
31%
of U.S. adults read an e-book
during the previous 12 months.
2025 surveyPew Research Center
26%
of U.S. adults listened to an audiobook
during the previous 12 months.
2025 surveyPew Research Center
Time for reading
Even a small reading window can matter.
Time-use data captures reading for personal interest, not a claim about what that reading does for someone. It does show how unevenly reading time is distributed across life stages.
17 min
is the average daily time spent reading
for personal interest among Americans age 15 and older.
8 min
is the average daily reading time for ages 20–24
for personal interest, compared with 46 minutes for people 75 and older.
Wellbeing context
Many readers are carrying more than a busy schedule.
National wellbeing data provides context for why readers may seek support, reflection and a steadier next step. A self-help book can be a companion, but it is not a substitute for mental-health care.
20.6%
of U.S. adults had a mental illness
in the previous year, equal to 54.6 million people.
28.6%
of adults ages 18–25 had a mental illness
in the previous year, according to the national survey.
6.6%
of U.S. adults had moderate or severe anxiety symptoms
in the prior two weeks, as measured by the GAD-7 scale.
Methodology and sources
Where these figures come from
This page brings together published U.S. survey and time-use data. It reports each source’s figure as published and does not infer that reading causes a wellbeing outcome. Figures are refreshed when the underlying source releases material updates.
Pew Research Center
Book reading habits in the U.S. vary by education, age and other factors
Published April 8, 2026. Used for the statistics marked on this page.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Published March 2, 2026. Used for the statistics marked on this page.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Highlights for the 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
Published July 2026. Used for the statistics marked on this page.
Cite this page
Jack Cator Books. “U.S. Reading and Wellbeing Statistics.” Updated November 3, 2026. https://jackcatorbooks.com/reading-wellbeing-statistics/
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