Top 10 Most Spoken Languages in the U.S. 2025

The United States is a large combination of various groups of people, and due to this reason, many languages are spoken here. In 2025, Americans speak more than 350 languages in their homes. This is because people have migrated to the US from other nations for many years, cultures have intermixed, and the groups of people residing here have been transformed. Read along to get an overview of the top ten most spoken languages in the U.S., who speaks them, and how they've impacted American culture.

1. English

Over 239 million people in the U.S. speak English as their native language. It is the official language of government, schools, and corporations. Although it has always been the principal language, in 2025 the government formally declared it to be the nation's official language, but it is still up to Congress to pass it into law. 

2. Spanish

There are around 41- 42 million Spanish speakers, and the U.S. is the second-largest Spanish-speaking nation after Mexico. There are Spanish speakers everywhere in the country, but big communities are found mainly in California, Texas, Florida, and New York. Spanish has touched place names, food, and common words. The number of Spanish speakers increased significantly, more than 230%, between 1980 and 2013, and it continues to transform American culture and commerce.

3. Chinese (Mandarin, Cantonese, and Other Types)

Chinese, such as Mandarin and Cantonese, is the third most widely spoken language, with roughly 3.5- 3.6 million speakers. You'll discover numerous Chinese speakers residing in large cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. These groups have been established for a very long time, dating back to the days of the Gold Rush in the 1800s, and they still maintain vibrant "Chinatowns" within most cities.

4. Tagalog

Tagalog is the foundation of the Philippine main language, and it is spoken by approximately 1.7 million in the U.S. Filipino Americans are one of the largest Asian communities in the U.S. and reside in California, Hawaii, and Texas. Tagalog plays a crucial role in maintaining their history and culture.

5. Vietnamese

Around 1.5 million Americans speak Vietnamese, primarily in California and Texas. A lot of individuals began speaking it here due to the Vietnam War, when individuals migrated to the U.S. and families followed later. Vietnamese populations introduced their cuisine, customs, and business acumen to American society.

6. Arabic

Approximately 1.2 million Americans speak Arabic. This is due to an increase in the number of people coming into this country from Arab nations such as Lebanon, Egypt, and Iraq. There are Arabic speakers in major cities such as Detroit, New York, and Los Angeles, and they contribute to the nation's various religions, cuisine, and arts.

7. French

There are around 1.2 million French-speaking Americans. It has been spoken in this country for centuries in Louisiana (by Cajuns and Creoles), New England, and by emigrants from Haiti. French is still studied in school and has had an impact on American culture, particularly in areas with a French heritage.

8. Korean

About 1.1 million people use Korean, primarily in large cities such as Los Angeles and New York. Korean Americans maintain their culture in good shape through schools of language, churches, television, and film. They've also accomplished much in business and the arts.

9. Russian

Around 900,000 Americans speak Russian, primarily due to people who immigrated here from the former Soviet Union. You can find people who speak Russian in New York, California, and Illinois, where they also have their own cultural enclaves, newspapers, and schools.

10. German

Around 900,000 individuals speak German. This is due to the fact that lots of Germans emigrated to the U.S. long ago, in the 1700s and 1800s. Despite the fact that fewer individuals speak German today, it remains present within certain communities and individuals celebrate German culture through festivals and organizations that preserve the tradition.

Language Changes and Development

According to the latest data, Portuguese is becoming increasingly popular rapidly, particularly as more are migrating from Brazil. It may even join the top 10 languages in the near future.

Ukrainian has also become increasingly popular recently due to events in the world and more refugees settling here.

American Sign Language and Native American languages are also of considerable significance to the languages spoken in the U.S., although not as many individuals use them as the top 10.

Top 10 Most Spoken Languages in the U.S. (2025)

The United States' language profile is a testament to its immigrant past and continuing cultural evolution. English and Spanish dominate, but Asian, European, and Middle Eastern languages reflect the nation's worldwide reach and internal diversity. As trends in culture and migration continue to change, so will the languages that define the American experience.