As of September 2023, the United States had a stockpile of approximately 3,748 nuclear warheads. This includes both active and inactive warheads. Additionally, there are around 2,000 retired nuclear warheads that are currently awaiting dismantlement. Overall, independent estimates put the total U.S. nuclear inventory, including deployed, reserve, and retired warheads, at about 5,177 warheads as of early 2025. To summarize:
- Stockpile (active and inactive warheads): about 3,748
- Retired warheads awaiting dismantlement: about 2,000
- Total inventory estimate: around 5,177 warheads
The U.S. maintains a nuclear triad system consisting of land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and strategic bombers for delivering nuclear weapons.
