Land use refers to the socio-economic purpose of the land. Areas of land can be used for residential, industrial, agricultural, forestry, recreational, transport etc. purposes.
Often the same land is used for several purposes at the same time; e.g., woodland can be use for forestry, hunting and recreational purposes.
The main classes in the LUCAS land use nomenclature are as follows:
| U110 | Agriculture |
| U120 | Forestry |
| U130 | Fishing |
| U140 | Mining and quarrying |
| U150 | Hunting |
| U210 | Energy production |
| U220 | Industry and manufacturing |
| U310 | Transport, communication networks, storage and protective works |
| U320 | Water and waste treatment |
| U330 | Construction |
| U340 | Commerce, finance and business |
| U350 | Community services |
| U360 | Recreational, leisure and sport |
| U370 | Residential |
| U400 | Unused |