How Many Seasons of The Office US Are There? (2026 Updated)

If you want to know how many seasons of The Office there are, the answer is simple — nine seasons and 201 episodes aired on NBC between March 24, 2005, and May 16, 2013. The American adaptation starred Steve Carell as the lovably clueless regional manager Michael Scott and was based on the British television series created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. The Office aired for nearly a decade and turned the fictional Dunder Mifflin paper company into one of TV's most recognizable settings. Here's a full breakdown of every season, what made each one memorable, and where to watch it all today.

Key Takeaways

• The Office ran for nine seasons with 201 episodes on NBC from 2005 to 2013, making it one of the longest-running comedy series of its era.
• It takes about 73 hours to binge-watch the entire series — roughly 3 days of nonstop viewing.
• Steve Carell led the cast as Michael Scott for seven seasons before the show continued with new storylines and characters through the series finale.
• Peacock is the exclusive U.S. streaming home for all nine seasons, plus extended Superfan Episodes with never-before-seen footage.
• A spinoff called The Paper debuted on Peacock in September 2025 and follows the same documentary crew in a new setting.

Season 1

On March 24, 2005, the first episode, "Pilot," aired on NBC. The pilot directly adapts the UK series' first episode, and the mockumentary format carries over entirely. A documentary crew arrives at Dunder Mifflin's office to observe its employees and learn more about modern management. Michael Scott then tries to show that the paper company is still prosperous, even as it goes through a rough patch.

With only six episodes, this first season is the shortest of the entire run. The season received mixed reviews, with some critics calling it a poor imitation of the British original. However, the writers aimed to make Michael Scott more likable heading into the second season — a decision that would ultimately define the show.

Season 1 highlights:

• "Diversity Day" — Michael Scott attempts to be a diversity trainer for every co-worker in one of the show's most cringe-worthy moments

• "Basketball" — The office characters face off against the warehouse workers in a pickup game that reveals surprising athleticism from some unexpected players

• Only six episodes aired as a midseason replacement, making it the shortest season of the entire series

Season 2

The second season introduced the first full 22-episode season format, and the show found its groove almost immediately. The relationships between the characters took center stage—most notably between Jim and Pam, Michael and Jan, and Ryan and Kelly. It was also when Dwight and Angela began to develop an "office romance" with each other.

From this point forward, Jim and Pam's relationship became the emotional backbone of the series. The tension between them also becomes noticeable as they grow closer while Pam is still engaged to Roy.

Season 2 highlights:

• "The Injury" — Michael Scott burns his foot on a George Foreman grill, leading to one of the funniest episodes in the show's run

• The season finale "Casino Night" — Jim finally tells Pam how he feels, changing the course of the entire series

• The show earned universal acclaim and won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series

• The American Film Institute named it one of the best TV series of the year

• Steve Carell's portrayal of Michael Scott became the role that defined his career, and the supporting cast — including Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute and John Krasinski as Jim Halpert — cemented themselves as fan favorites

Season 3

Season 3 is often considered the best season of The Office by fans and critics alike, and for the most part, it's hard to argue. The season opens at the beginning of a new chapter — Jim has transferred to the Stamford branch after Pam's decision to marry Roy, and the Scranton branch is adjusting to life without him. Here's where the plot twist comes in — a few days before the wedding, Pam called off her relationship with Roy, but he is not letting it happen, so he decided to win her back.

The season also introduced new characters like Andy Bernard and Karen Filippelli at the Stamford branch. However, this is also where the said branch will close and later merge with Scranton. Ryan was promoted to salesman, while Jim developed a new romance with Karen.

Season 3 highlights:

• Michael Scott's relationship with Jan becomes increasingly complicated, setting up one of the show's best story arcs

• David Wallace appears for the first time as the CFO, keeping tabs on the Scranton branch

• "The Negotiation" and "Beach Games" are standout episodes — "Beach Games" doubles as a search committee of sorts, as Michael Scott looks for someone to recommend as his replacement

• Jim and Pam start dating near the end of this season, which fans had been waiting for since the show's beginning

• The Stamford branch closes and merges with Scranton, shaking up the cast dynamic

If you want to keep the Scranton spirit alive at your desk, the Dunder Mifflin paper box ceramic planter and the Dear Future Dwight notepad make for great office companions.

Season 4

Fans say that season 4 is the most important of all. Countless episodes explore how the characters navigate their personal and professional relationships. Season 4 includes fan-favorite episodes like "Dinner Party" — widely considered one of the most iconic episodes in the show — and "Fun Run," where Michael Scott hits Meredith with his car and organizes a rabies awareness fun run for the office.

Michael tries to stay away from being a "victim" of his abusive relationship with Jan. Michael's relationship with Jan reaches a breaking point during the "Dinner Party" episode, and the writers use the season to explore how characters handle life both inside and outside the paper company. Ryan rises and falls in power and tries to bring Dunder Mifflin to his new website. David Wallace grows increasingly frustrated with Ryan's reckless management decisions.

Angela and Dwight's relationship sours when Dwight has to perform a mercy killing on her cat. Jim and Pam are now openly a couple, and the cast dynamic shifts as characters deal with the fallout of long-simmering tensions.

Season 4 highlights:

• "Dinner Party" — widely considered one of the most iconic episodes in the entire series, showcasing Michael's relationship with Jan at its most dysfunctional

• "Fun Run" — Michael Scott hits Meredith with his car and organizes a rabies awareness fun run for the office

• The 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike cut this season short to just 19 episodes, making it the shortest full season

• Scripts often exceeded 22 minutes and required cuts during filming, meaning a wealth of deleted scenes were left on the cutting room floor

• David Wallace grows increasingly frustrated with Ryan's reckless management decisions

• The opening credits sequence became a signature part of each episode's identity, and many television fans point to season 4 as the point where the show perfected its storytelling formula

Shop The Office Collection Now

Also Read:

• Our Favorite The Office Gifts
• Our Favorite The Office Quotes
• The Office UK vs The Office US

Season 5

Season 5 is one of the best seasons because of its new plotlines. With 28 half-hours of material, it's actually the longest season of the entire series — and it holds a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. This season starts with Pam going to art school at Pratt Institute in New York. Dwight Schrute and Angela also started betraying Andy and had a "secret affair." Andy later discovered what was happening between them, so she cut off her connection with both of them.

After attending art school, Pam went back and got engaged to Jim. Holly and Michael are still trying to sort out their relationship before she transfers to another town. Meanwhile, David Wallace plays a more prominent role as CFO, navigating Dunder Mifflin's financial struggles, and Michael Scott grows increasingly disillusioned with how the paper company treats him.

Season 5 highlights:

• The Michael Scott Paper Company story arc — Michael leaves Dunder Mifflin and starts his own rival paper company with Pam and Ryan, creating some of the most memorable episodes of the show

• After Michael leaves the Scranton branch, the writers gave Dwight, Jim, and the rest of the cast room to shine while Michael builds his short-lived venture

• The story arc ends when Michael negotiates his way back, proving he's a better salesman than anyone gave him credit for

• "Stress Relief" — the highest-rated episode in the show's history, attracting 22.9 million viewers thanks to its post-Super Bowl time slot

• Season 5 holds a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes and has 28 half-hours of material, making it the longest season of the entire series If you're planning a rewatch, a Dunder Mifflin "World's Best Boss" ceramic mug makes for a fitting companion.

Season 6

Season 6 has 26 episodes, making it one of the longest, alongside season 7. It covered Jim and Pam's marriage up to Pam giving birth to their first child, along with other life changes as a couple. Jim was also named co-manager of the Scranton branch alongside Michael Scott — one of the first times the show gave Jim real authority as a co-manager. The dynamic created tension and tested Jim's ability to lead. Meanwhile, Andy, Dwight, and Angela were still dealing with the "unfinished business" in their relationship.

Season 6 highlights:

• The beloved two-part episode "Niagara" covers Jim and Pam's wedding — one of the most-watched episodes of the entire series

• Jim and Pam welcome their first child, and the co-manager storyline gives Jim a chance to evolve as a character beyond his usual role as the office prankster

• Michael Scott's relationship with Donna adds another layer to his personal life

• Andy and Erin's budding romance becomes a highlight of the latter half of the season

• Jo Bennett (Kathy Bates), Sabre's CEO, forces everyone in the office to work harder than they ever did

• David Wallace is ultimately let go after Dunder Mifflin is sold to Saber — a turning point for the paper company and the show itself

• Guest stars include Zach Woods, Amy Pietz, and Linda Purl

Season 7

Season 7 also has 26 episodes, each about half an hour long. One notable event in season 7 is when Dwight bought the Scranton Business Park. Erin also develops a new relationship with Gabe, and the writers use this season to start wrapping up Michael Scott's story arc at the Scranton branch.

Pam stopped focusing on sales and became an office administrator instead. Moreover, Holly returned to Scranton to win Michael back. They later got engaged as they started to take their relationship seriously.

Season 7 highlights:

• "Threat Level Midnight" — the characters finally watch Michael Scott's homemade spy movie, a callback years in the making

• "Pool Party" — hosted by Robert California's predecessor at Saber, showcasing the cast in a rare after-hours setting

• Michael leaves for Colorado to be with Holly — Steve Carell's final episode, the two-part season finale "Goodbye, Michael," is widely considered one of the best episodes in the entire series

• After Michael leaves, a search committee forms to find the new boss, bringing in celebrity guest appearances and setting the stage for the later seasons

• Dwight buys the Scranton Business Park, giving him new leverage over his co-workers

If you want to pay tribute, the Dundie Award replica with 6 interchangeable plates is a solid way to honor the World's Best Boss.

Season 8

Season 8 picks up after Michael leaves and introduces Robert California, played by James Spader, as the new CEO of Saber. Robert California is one of the more polarizing characters in the entire series — some fans loved his eccentric management style, while others felt he was too different from what the show had established. Andy becomes the new boss of the Scranton branch, taking over as regional manager with Dwight as his right-hand man.

Season 8 highlights:

• Robert California's unpredictable leadership creates tension for the cast, and his eccentric personality drives many of the season's funniest moments

• Dwight gets the second-highest position in the office with Jim's help, further building toward his eventual promotion

• Erin realizes she can't find a future in Scranton and decides to leave — and Andy

• The Ryan and Kelly subplot gives the later seasons some memorable comedic moments

• Rainn Wilson's performance as Dwight Schrute carried much of the season

• Jenna Fischer (Pam) and Angela Kinsey have both pushed back on the idea that the show declined, noting that some of their favorite episodes came from these later seasons

Season 8 received the lowest ratings on Rotten Tomatoes of any season, largely because of the void left by Steve Carell's departure. The writers still managed to deliver strong episodes, however. Actors' improvisation throughout the run led to many deleted scenes that fans consider canon — and Peacock's Superfan Episodes have brought much of that material back.

Season 9

In this final season, Andy quit his job and pursued his dream of becoming an actor. Jim also returned to Scranton and spent most part of his time there with Pam. Jim and Pam's relationship hits a rough patch in the beginning of the season as Jim starts working at Athleap in Austin, and Pam struggles with the changes to their life.

Season 9 highlights:

• The second episode introduces new characters Clark and Pete, who join the cast as junior salesmen

• Jim and Pam's relationship hits its rockiest point as Jim splits time between Scranton and Athleap in Austin

• Ryan and Kelly's storyline reaches its dramatic conclusion

• Dwight Schrute finally gets the recognition he's always wanted

• Darryl shares that he feels heavy about leaving work, and Jim speaks about spending the rest of his life together with his wife and family

Season 9 is sometimes criticized for its lack of focus, but the series finale aired as the emotional capstone of the entire run and tied up loose ends for every main character. Dwight finally becomes regional manager of the Scranton branch, Michael Scott makes a heartwarming cameo, and Pam ended it by saying, "There's a lot of beauty in ordinary things. Isn't that kind of the point?" The season finale brought closure to nine seasons of television and reminded fans why the show mattered.

Every Season of The Office at a Glance

Here's a quick breakdown of every season of The Office, including episode counts and original air dates:

At roughly 22 minutes per episode, a full binge-watch of all 201 episodes clocks in at approximately 73 hours — or about 3 straight days of nonstop viewing. If you're settling in for that kind of marathon, grab the Dunder Mifflin icons ceramic snack jar for your snacks and sip from a Dunder Mifflin "That's What She Said" ceramic mug between episodes.

Where To Watch The Office

All nine seasons of The Office are available exclusively on Peacock in the United States. Here's what you need to know:

• Seasons 1–2 are free with ads on Peacock

• Seasons 3–9 require Peacock Premium

• Superfan Episodes — extended cuts of every episode from all nine seasons featuring deleted scenes, bonus footage, and never-before-seen material — are also available on Peacock Premium

• The final season of Superfan Episodes dropped in January 2026, meaning the entire series is now available in this expanded format for fans who want to watch every moment

• Outside the U.S., The Office is available on Netflix in several countries including the U.K. and Canada

The British Version vs. The American Version

The original British version of The Office was created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant and ran for just 2 seasons plus a Christmas special — 14 episodes total. It was critically acclaimed and is widely credited with influencing the entire mockumentary-style comedy genre that followed. Ricky Gervais and Merchant also served as executive producers on the American version.

The American version, set at the fictional Dunder Mifflin paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania, adapted the premise but took the characters and storylines in a completely different direction. Here's how they compare:

• UK version: 14 episodes total, darker humor, focused on cringe and awkward silence

• US version: 201 episodes across nine seasons, more warmth and heart, wider ensemble cast

• Greg Daniels adapted the show for NBC and made Michael Scott a warmer, more sympathetic character than his British counterpart David Brent

• The US version earned two Screen Actors Guild Awards for its ensemble cast

For a deeper comparison, check out our breakdown of The Office UK vs The Office US.

FAQs

Is There Going To Be a Season 10 of The Office?

No — The Office ended after nine seasons in 2013 and will not return for a 10th season. However, a spinoff series called The Paper debuted on Peacock in September 2025. Created by original showrunner Greg Daniels, it follows the same film crew from Dunder Mifflin as they turn their cameras to a struggling Midwestern newspaper. The show was renewed for a second season before it even premiered, and season 2 is set to drop on Peacock in September 2026. For fans who want a piece of the Scranton branch's original home base, the Dunder Mifflin Collector Box with 5 themed collectibles is a fun way to keep the Scranton spirit going.

Why Was The Office Canceled?

The Office wasn't canceled — it ended on its own terms. After nine seasons and 201 episodes on NBC television, the show concluded with a series finale on May 16, 2013, that wrapped up the storylines for all the main characters. The original British version created by Ricky Gervais only ran for 14 episodes, so the American adaptation far outlasted its source material and remains one of the most-watched TV comedies in streaming history.

How Long Does It Take To Watch All of The Office?

Binge-watching all 201 episodes takes approximately 73 hours, or just over 3 days of continuous watching. At a pace of 3 to 4 episodes per day, you'd finish the series in about 7 to 8 weeks. Stay hydrated for the long haul with a Dunder Mifflin Dundie Award water bottle or the Dunder Mifflin 28-ounce water bottle.

What Is the Best Season of The Office?

Season 3 is often considered the best by fans and critics, though seasons 2 and 5 are close behind. Season 5 holds a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes and features the beloved Michael Scott Paper Company story arc, where Michael Scott Paper Company takes on Dunder Mifflin as a rival. Season 1 is generally regarded as the weakest — in part because its only six episodes stuck close to the British original before the writers found Michael Scott's voice. Season 8 tends to rank lowest among fans because Steve Carell had already departed, and Robert California proved divisive as a replacement character.

What Are the Most Popular Episodes of The Office?

The highest-rated episode is "Stress Relief" from season 5, which attracted 22.9 million viewers thanks to its post-Super Bowl time slot. Other fan favorites include "Dinner Party" from season 4, "Casino Night" from season 2, "Scott's Tots" from season 5, "The Injury," and the series finale. Episodes like "Diversity Day" from the first season also remain popular for showing Michael Scott at his most clueless. For more, check out our list of the best episodes of The Office.

What Awards Did The Office Win?

The Office received 42 Primetime Emmy nominations and won 5, including Outstanding Comedy Series in 2006. The American Film Institute named it one of the best TV programs of the year in both 2006 and 2008. The ensemble cast also won two Screen Actors Guild Awards. The Guardian ranked it 32nd on their list of the 100 best TV shows of the 21st century. Steve Carell was nominated for 6 Emmys for his role as Michael Scott but never won — widely regarded as one of the biggest snubs in Emmy history.

Let's Sum It Up

With nine seasons and 201 episodes, The Office is one of the most beloved American sitcoms ever to air on NBC. The show premiered on March 24, 2005 and wrapped up on May 16, 2013, earning 42 Emmy nominations and 5 wins along the way. Its legacy continues to grow — The Paper is introducing the Dunder Mifflin documentary crew to a whole new generation, and the Superfan Episodes on Peacock give longtime fans a reason to revisit every season with fresh content.

Whether you're watching for the first time or on your tenth rewatch, there's always something new to catch. If you're looking for The Office collectibles to celebrate your fandom, we carry mugs, figures, home decor, and more — from the Double Dwight bobblehead to the character shot glass set and the Schrute Buck ceramic money bank. The more you grab, the more you save — check out our Buy More, Save More deals for the best value.

Shop The Office Collection Now

Sources:

1. Television Academy

2. Peacock

3. NBC Insider