What does "at capacity" mean?
"At capacity" means fully occupied or unable to take on more. Here's how this phrase is used in business and everyday contexts.
What it means
Fully occupied, fully booked, or unable to take on more work, people, or activity.
"The venue is at capacity - we can't admit more guests."
"The team is at capacity this sprint - no new tasks."
"The hospital is at capacity and diverting patients."
What it implies
The limit has been reached. Anything additional would require either turning away, delaying, or overloading the system.
At full capacity
The same as at capacity but slightly more emphatic:
"We're running at full capacity - the factory is producing flat out."
Over capacity
Too much demand for the available space or resource:
"The shelter is over capacity and struggling to cope."
Register
Professional and neutral. Used in operations, event management, healthcare, and project management.
A native would say
- "We're full" - casual
- "No capacity" - we don't have the resource: "We have no capacity for new clients right now."
- "Fully booked" - for time-based services (doctors, restaurants)
- "Stretched to the limit" - the team is over-committed
- "Maxed out" - informal: "We're maxed out this month."
What does "at capacity" mean?
Fully occupied, fully booked, or unable to take on more work, people, or activity.
"The venue is at capacity - we can't admit more guests."
"The team is at capacity this sprint - no new tasks."
"The hospital is at capacity and diverting patients."
Is "at capacity" formal or informal?
Professional and neutral. Used in operations, event management, healthcare, and project management.
What's another way to say "at capacity"?
- "We're full" - casual
- "No capacity" - we don't have the resource: "We have no capacity for new clients right now."
- "Fully booked" - for time-based services (doctors, restaurants)
- "Stretched to the limit" - the team is over-committed
- "Maxed out" - informal: "We're maxed out this month."
Confused by more workplace jargon?
LLH Tutor explains corporate and business English in terms that make sense for your native language and level.
Save to your vocabulary