What Percentage of People Take Creatine? Exploring Usage and Demographics

October 16, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2014 NCAA survey, approximately 14% of college athletes used creatine, yet this figure represents only a small slice of the overall picture. The percentage of people who take creatine varies dramatically depending on factors like age, gender, and level of physical activity, with usage rates ranging from low single digits in the general population to nearly half of some elite athletic groups.

Quick Summary

The percentage of creatine users fluctuates significantly by demographic, with markedly higher adoption rates among athletes, particularly males in strength-based sports, than the broader adult population.

Key Points

Variable Usage: The percentage of people taking creatine varies greatly depending on the population, from low single digits in the general public to over 40% in some athletic subgroups.
Athlete Predominance: Usage is highest among athletes, particularly males in high-intensity, strength-based sports like football and hockey, where rates can exceed 25%.
Gender Disparity: There is a significant gender difference in creatine use, with male athletes consistently reporting higher rates than female athletes across all age groups.
Age-Related Trends: Among active adults, creatine use is most prevalent among younger age groups and declines with increasing age.
Beyond Athletics: Creatine's appeal is expanding beyond sports performance to include cognitive and general health benefits, attracting a more diverse user base.
Dietary Factors: Vegetarians and vegans, who have lower natural creatine stores, can experience greater benefits from supplementation.
Research Methodology: Different survey methods and populations sampled are the primary reason for the wide-ranging statistics on creatine usage.

Creatine Use Across Athletic Populations

Research consistently shows that creatine usage is highest among athletic populations, particularly males involved in strength and power sports. A 2014 NCAA report on 21,000 U.S. college athletes highlighted significant discrepancies in usage between sports and genders. For example, a much larger percentage of male athletes reported taking creatine compared to their female counterparts. Digging deeper into specific sports reveals how targeted the usage can be:

Football: Over 27% of college football players use creatine.
Hockey: Nearly 30% of college ice hockey players reported use.
Baseball and Wrestling: Use was also prevalent, hovering around the high 20s.
Soccer, Tennis, and Track: These sports showed moderate usage rates among male athletes.
Female Athletes: Across various sports, female athletes reported significantly lower rates, ranging from just 0.2% to 3.8%.

Creatine Use Among High School Athletes

Creatine's popularity also extends to younger athletic demographics. A 2001 study on middle and high school athletes found that 5.6% reported using creatine. However, this rate soared to 44% among high school seniors, showcasing a trend towards higher usage as athletes progress and competition intensifies. A more recent 2014 review noted that 26% of adolescent boys had taken creatine at some point, indicating a persistent interest in performance enhancement among young males. Similar to collegiate sports, use among high schoolers is higher in male-dominated, strength-focused sports.

Creatine Usage in the General Adult Population

Outside of dedicated athletic communities, the percentage of people who take creatine is much lower. National surveys provide valuable snapshots, though data can sometimes be dated. A 2007 U.S. National Health Interview Survey indicated an overall 3% prevalence of creatine use among adults, though gender-specific data was not available. A more recent, targeted online survey published in July 2021 offered a fresh perspective. Out of 399 adults (aged 19–89), 28% reported current or past creatine use, with usage rates significantly higher among younger, physically active individuals. This study revealed:

Young Adults (19–35 years): 46% reported using creatine.
Midlife Adults (36–65 years): 32% reported use.
Older Adults (66–89 years): Only 6% reported use.

This confirms that while overall use in the general population is lower, it is still a prominent supplement within the active and younger segments of society. Usage is also consistently higher among men than women, even within the general active population.

Factors Influencing Creatine Usage

Several factors contribute to the wide variation in creatine usage percentages across different groups. These include athletic goals, diet, information sources, and perceived safety concerns. The drive to increase lean body mass and enhance anaerobic performance is a primary motivator for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Vegetarians and vegans, who typically have lower baseline muscle creatine stores from their diet, may also be more inclined to supplement.

Demographic Influences on Creatine Use


Factor	Athletic Population	General Population	Observations
Usage Rate	High (14-44%+ depending on group)	Low (3-28% depending on survey)	Usage is directly tied to athletic intensity and specific sports.
Gender	Males significantly higher	Males significantly higher	Males are more likely to seek ergogenic aids for strength and mass gains.
Age	Increases through high school and peak in young adults	Decreases with age	Younger adults generally prioritize physical performance and appearance more.
Primary Goal	Enhanced performance, strength, muscle size	Performance, muscle maintenance, brain health	Motivations broaden beyond pure athletic performance in non-athletes.
Information Source	Peers, coaches, internet	Friends, trainers, internet	Social influence and community play a big role.

Why Statistics on Creatine Use Vary

The wide range of reported figures for what percentage of people take creatine can be confusing. The variation stems from several key aspects of how the data is collected:

Population Sample: A survey focused on NCAA Division I football players will yield a vastly different number than a national health survey covering all demographics.
Survey Methodology: Self-reported data from online questionnaires might attract a more health-conscious and supplement-savvy audience than broad, population-based telephone surveys.
Definition of Use: Some studies differentiate between current and past users, while others simply ask if a person has ever taken it. This distinction affects the percentage reported.
Time Period: Surveys from the 1990s and 2000s, when creatine was gaining initial notoriety, will reflect different trends than modern surveys that capture its expanded use and appeal.

The Evolving Landscape of Creatine Usage

While historically associated with bodybuilding and weightlifting, the use of creatine is expanding. Recent research highlights its potential benefits beyond athletic performance, including cognitive function, mood improvement, and mitigating age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia). As awareness of these broader benefits grows, the demographic of creatine users is also shifting, drawing in older adults and women who may be motivated by overall health rather than purely performance-driven goals. This means that the overall percentage of people using creatine may continue to rise, and the profile of the average user is likely to become more diverse. Evidence suggests creatine is safe for a broad range of applications when taken at recommended dosages. Read more about creatine's broader health benefits in this article from Frontiers in Nutrition.

Conclusion

The question of what percentage of people take creatine has no single answer, but rather a spectrum of figures that depend on the specific population being examined. Usage is disproportionately high among collegiate and high school athletes, particularly males in power-focused sports, but significantly lower in the general population. Factors like gender, age, diet, and training goals all play a role in this distribution. As research continues to uncover new health benefits, creatine's reach is broadening, suggesting that future surveys may show an increased overall prevalence, especially among non-athletic and older populations seeking general wellness.

Frequently Asked Questions

A 2014 survey found that 14% of all US college athletes used creatine supplements. However, this average masks large variations, with usage rates as high as nearly 30% in male sports like ice hockey and as low as under 4% in female sports.

Creatine use is consistently and significantly higher in men. Studies show that a much greater percentage of male athletes and physically active men use creatine compared to their female counterparts.

Yes, many high school students, especially athletes, use creatine. A 2001 study revealed that 5.6% of middle and high school athletes used the supplement, with usage dramatically increasing to 44% among high school seniors.

Figures for the general population are much lower than for athletes. A 2007 US survey reported a 3% overall prevalence, while a 2021 study of active adults found a 28% rate, skewed heavily towards younger, more physically active individuals.

Differences in usage stem from factors like athletic training intensity, gender (linked to different physiological and training goals), age, and dietary habits. Athletes seeking enhanced strength and performance are far more likely to use it than the average person.

Evidence suggests that the demographic for creatine users is expanding beyond traditional athletic circles. As more research highlights its cognitive and health benefits, usage among non-athletes, older adults, and women appears to be increasing.

Individuals who consume little to no meat or fish, which are primary dietary sources of creatine, often have lower natural creatine stores. For this reason, vegetarians and vegans may see greater benefits from creatine supplementation.

Surveys indicate that friends, family, coaches, trainers, and the internet are the most common sources of information about creatine, outweighing healthcare providers.