The history of the United States is linked to countries, cultures, and languages all around the world. From Spanish exploration to English colonies to Chinese immigrants, the melting pot of America has always included influences from countries outside its own borders.
So does America have an official language? The answer is yes—but the answer isn’t as simple as it sounds. Learn all about America’s official language, including the complex history behind its official status and what other countries share the same official language as the US.
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What is the official language of the US?
The official language of the US is English. Over 279 million people in the US speak English as their first language, with millions more speaking English as their second or third language.
In addition, 30 out of the 50 states in the US have designated English as their official language, including Alabama, California, Utah, and Oklahoma. Three other states also include Indigenous languages as official languages besides English: Hawaii (Hawaiian), South Dakota (Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota dialects), and Alaska (20 additional languages, including Inupiaq, Siberian Yupik, and Alutiiq).
When did English become the official language of the US?
On March 1st, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order declaring English as the official language of the United States. It was the first such declaration in American history, though English has long been a de facto language (commonly spoken language) throughout the US.
However, the executive order does not make English the de jure language (legal language) of the US, as its status as an official language has not been codified into law or established by the United States Constitution. Many language experts consider these concepts separate in the law, while others find them synonymous.
Impact of English as the official language in the US
English’s status as an official language has both legal and social effects in the US. Legally, a country’s official language is the one used in government operations and public services, and it’s the language primarily spoken in schools and written in legislation. Because English has been America’s de facto language for centuries, not much has changed in this regard.
However, when English became the official language of the US, it reversed existing requirements for federal agencies to provide translation or interpretation services in languages other than English. This change may prevent non-English speaking residents of the US from accessing services they need.
Culturally, having a shared official language can lead to a more unified national community. According to a recent Pew Research Center poll, 48% of Americans believe that speaking a country’s primary language is an important part of belonging in that country—even more than sharing a country’s predominant religion or being born in that country.
Other countries with English as an official language
Now that the US has an official language, it joins 74 other English-speaking countries and territories that also list English as at least one of their official languages. And even though the United States has the highest number of English speakers (WorldData.info) in the world, there are several countries that are home to over 20 million native English speakers each.
| Country | Official Languages | English Speakers |
| Pakistan | English, Urdu | 116 million |
| United Kingdom | English | 67 million |
| India | English, Hindi | 46 million |
| Nigeria | English | 35 million |
| Canada | English, French | 24 million |
| Australia | English | 21 million |
*data from WorldData.info
Other countries that list English in their official languages include Ghana, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Singapore. Many US territories, such as Puerto Rico and Guam, also include English as an official language.
Other languages spoken in the US
Even though the US does have an official language, English isn’t the only language spoken in all 50 states. More than 67 million people in the US speak a language other than English at home (US Census Bureau, 2019), including:
- Spanish (42 million speakers)
- Chinese (3 million speakers)
- Tagalog (2 million speakers)
- Vietnamese (1.5 million speakers)
- Arabic (1 million speakers)
Many of these people also speak English, though not as their primary language. By contrast, the number of people who only spoke English was around 241 million in 2019, nearly four times as many as those who also spoke another language (US Census Bureau, 2019).
Key takeaways about the official language of the US
Does the US have an official language? Test yourself on the key takeaways on the official language of the US.
- The official language of the United States is English.
- English became the official language in the US in 2025 via executive order.
- 74 other countries list English as their official language.
- Around 279 million people in the US speak English, while 67 million speak another language as their primary language.
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