diff --git a/lib/sys/cpu.rb b/lib/sys/cpu.rb
index 83201d3..433b215 100644
--- a/lib/sys/cpu.rb
+++ b/lib/sys/cpu.rb
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ module Sys
   # This class is reopened for each of the supported platforms/operating systems.
   class CPU
     # The version of the sys-cpu gem.
-    VERSION = '1.2.0'
+    VERSION = '1.3.0'
 
     private_class_method :new
   end
diff --git a/lib/sys/darwin/sys/cpu.rb b/lib/sys/darwin/sys/cpu.rb
index ca34dc6..b91a32a 100644
--- a/lib/sys/darwin/sys/cpu.rb
+++ b/lib/sys/darwin/sys/cpu.rb
@@ -208,5 +208,119 @@ def self.load_avg
 
       loadavg.get_array_of_double(0, 3)
     end
+
+    # Returns CPU usage as a percentage.
+    #
+    # If +sample_time+ is positive, samples CPU times and calculates an average
+    # over that interval. You can also specify +samples+ to average multiple
+    # consecutive measurements.
+    #
+    # If +sample_time+ is 0 (default), uses a 1-second sample window by default.
+    # Default value for +samples+ is 2 (averages two measurements).
+    #
+    HOST_CPU_LOAD_INFO = 3
+    HOST_CPU_LOAD_INFO_COUNT = 4
+
+    private_constant :HOST_CPU_LOAD_INFO, :HOST_CPU_LOAD_INFO_COUNT
+
+    attach_function :mach_host_self, [], :uint
+    attach_function :host_statistics, %i[uint int pointer pointer], :int
+
+    private_class_method :mach_host_self, :host_statistics
+
+    # Returns the current CPU usage as a percentage, averaged over a sampling interval.
+    #
+    # By default, this method samples CPU usage over a 1-second interval and averages two measurements.
+    # You can customize the interval and number of samples by passing the +sample_time+ (in seconds)
+    # and +samples+ keyword arguments. For example, +cpu_usage(sample_time: 0.5, samples: 4)+ will take four
+    # samples, each 0.5 seconds apart, and return the average CPU usage over that period.
+    #
+    # Passing nil, 0, or a negative value for either argument falls back to the defaults (1.0 seconds
+    # and 2 samples) to keep behavior consistent across platforms.
+    #
+    # Returns a Float (percentage), rounded to one decimal place, or nil if CPU usage cannot be determined.
+    #
+    # Example usage:
+    #   Sys::CPU.cpu_usage                              #=> 12.3
+    #   Sys::CPU.cpu_usage(sample_time: 2, samples: 3)  #=> 10.7
+    #   Sys::CPU.cpu_usage(sample_time: 0, samples: 0)  #=> 12.3   # zeros fall back to defaults
+    #
+    def self.cpu_usage(sample_time: 1.0, samples: 2)
+      sample_time = 1.0 if sample_time.nil? || sample_time <= 0
+      samples = 2 if samples.nil? || samples <= 0
+
+      usages = []
+
+      samples.times do
+        t1 = current_ticks
+        sleep(sample_time)
+        t2 = current_ticks
+        next unless t1 && t2
+
+        if (u = usage_between_ticks(t1, t2))
+          usages << u
+        end
+      end
+
+      return nil if usages.empty?
+
+      (usages.sum / usages.size.to_f).round(1)
+    rescue StandardError
+      nil
+    end
+
+    def self.current_ticks
+      cpu_ticks_sysctl || cpu_ticks_host
+    end
+
+    private_class_method :current_ticks
+
+    def self.usage_between_ticks(t1, t2)
+      diff = t2.map.with_index { |v, i| v - t1[i] }
+      total = diff.sum
+      return nil if total <= 0
+
+      # host_statistics returns [user, system, idle, nice]
+      idle = diff[2] || 0
+      (1.0 - (idle.to_f / total)) * 100
+    end
+
+    private_class_method :usage_between_ticks
+
+    def self.cpu_ticks_sysctl
+      cp_time = proc { |ptr|
+        len = 5
+        size = FFI::MemoryPointer.new(:size_t)
+        size.write_ulong(ptr.size)
+
+        if sysctlbyname('kern.cp_time', ptr, size, nil, 0) < 0
+          raise Error, 'sysctlbyname failed'
+        end
+
+        ptr.read_array_of_ulong(len)
+      }
+
+      cp_time.call(FFI::MemoryPointer.new(:ulong, 5))
+    rescue StandardError
+      nil
+    end
+
+    private_class_method :cpu_ticks_sysctl
+
+    def self.cpu_ticks_host
+      host = mach_host_self
+      info = FFI::MemoryPointer.new(:uint, HOST_CPU_LOAD_INFO_COUNT)
+      count = FFI::MemoryPointer.new(:uint)
+      count.write_uint(HOST_CPU_LOAD_INFO_COUNT)
+
+      kr = host_statistics(host, HOST_CPU_LOAD_INFO, info, count)
+      return nil unless kr == 0
+
+      info.read_array_of_uint(HOST_CPU_LOAD_INFO_COUNT)
+    rescue StandardError
+      nil
+    end
+
+    private_class_method :cpu_ticks_host
   end
 end
diff --git a/lib/sys/linux/sys/cpu.rb b/lib/sys/linux/sys/cpu.rb
index 8472610..afd3532 100644
--- a/lib/sys/linux/sys/cpu.rb
+++ b/lib/sys/linux/sys/cpu.rb
@@ -100,8 +100,15 @@ def self.architecture
 
     # Returns a string indicating the CPU model.
     #
+    # Some systems may use slightly different keys in /proc/cpuinfo, so
+    # we fall back to other common names and ensure we always return a
+    # String.
     def self.model
-      CPU_ARRAY.first['model_name']
+      CPU_ARRAY.first['model_name'] ||
+        CPU_ARRAY.first['model'] ||
+        CPU_ARRAY.first['cpu'] ||
+        CPU_ARRAY.first['processor'] ||
+        ''.dup
     end
 
     # Returns an integer indicating the speed of the CPU.
@@ -110,6 +117,62 @@ def self.freq
       CPU_ARRAY.first['cpu_mhz'].to_f.round
     end
 
+    # Returns the current CPU usage as a percentage, averaged over a sampling interval.
+    #
+    # By default, this method samples CPU usage over a 1-second interval and averages two measurements.
+    # You can customize the interval and number of samples by passing the +sample_time+ (in seconds)
+    # and +samples+ keyword arguments. For example, +cpu_usage(sample_time: 0.5, samples: 4)+ will take four
+    # samples, each 0.5 seconds apart,
+    # and return the average CPU usage over that period.
+    #
+    # Passing nil, 0, or a negative value for either argument falls back to the defaults (1.0 seconds and
+    # 2 samples) for cross-platform consistency.
+    #
+    # Returns a Float (percentage), rounded to one decimal place, or nil if CPU usage cannot be determined.
+    #
+    # Example usage:
+    #   Sys::CPU.cpu_usage                              #=> 12.3
+    #   Sys::CPU.cpu_usage(sample_time: 2, samples: 3)  #=> 10.7
+    #   Sys::CPU.cpu_usage(sample_time: 0, samples: 0)  #=> 12.3   # zeros fall back to defaults
+    #
+    def self.cpu_usage(sample_time: 1.0, samples: 2)
+      sample_time = 1.0 if sample_time.nil? || sample_time <= 0
+      samples = 2 if samples.nil? || samples <= 0
+
+      usages = []
+
+      samples.times do
+        stats1 = cpu_stats
+        sleep(sample_time)
+        stats2 = cpu_stats
+
+        total_diff = 0.0
+        idle_diff = 0.0
+
+        keys = stats1.key?('cpu') ? ['cpu'] : stats1.keys
+        keys.each do |key|
+          arr1 = stats1[key]
+          arr2 = stats2[key]
+          next unless arr1 && arr2
+          t1 = arr1.sum
+          t2 = arr2.sum
+          total = t2 - t1
+          idle = (arr2[3] || 0) - (arr1[3] || 0)
+          total_diff += total
+          idle_diff += idle
+        end
+
+        if total_diff > 0
+          usages << ((1.0 - (idle_diff / total_diff)) * 100)
+        end
+      end
+
+      return nil if usages.empty?
+      (usages.sum / usages.size.to_f).round(1)
+    rescue StandardError
+      nil
+    end
+
     # Create singleton methods for each of the attributes.
     #
     def self.method_missing(id, arg = 0)
@@ -168,7 +231,9 @@ def self.cpu_stats
           next
         end
 
-        vals = array[1..-1].map{ |e| e.to_i / 100 } # 100 jiffies/sec.
+        # Keep raw jiffies counts (do not scale by hz) so deltas over short
+        # intervals still produce meaningful values.
+        vals = array[1..-1].map{ |e| e.to_i }
         hash[array[0]] = vals
       end
 
diff --git a/lib/sys/unix/sys/cpu.rb b/lib/sys/unix/sys/cpu.rb
index 87de592..88d9bcb 100644
--- a/lib/sys/unix/sys/cpu.rb
+++ b/lib/sys/unix/sys/cpu.rb
@@ -309,6 +309,52 @@ def self.load_avg
       loadavg.get_array_of_double(0, 3)
     end
 
+    # Returns CPU usage as a percentage, averaged over a sampling interval.
+    #
+    # By default, samples CPU times twice, 1 second apart. Arguments are keyword-based
+    # (+sample_time:+, +samples:+). Passing nil, 0, or a negative value for either
+    # falls back to these defaults for cross-platform consistency.
+    #
+    def self.cpu_usage(sample_time: 1.0, samples: 2)
+      cp_time = proc { |ptr|
+        len = 5
+        size = FFI::MemoryPointer.new(:size_t)
+        size.write_ulong(ptr.size)
+
+        if sysctlbyname('kern.cp_time', ptr, size, nil, 0) < 0
+          raise Error, 'sysctlbyname failed'
+        end
+
+        ptr.read_array_of_ulong(len)
+      }
+
+      sample_time = 1.0 if sample_time.nil? || sample_time <= 0
+      samples = 2 if samples.nil? || samples <= 0
+
+      usages = []
+
+      samples.times do
+        t1 = cp_time.call(FFI::MemoryPointer.new(:ulong, 5))
+        sleep(sample_time)
+        t2 = cp_time.call(FFI::MemoryPointer.new(:ulong, 5))
+
+        total1 = t1.sum
+        total2 = t2.sum
+        idle1 = t1[4] || 0
+        idle2 = t2[4] || 0
+
+        total_diff = total2 - total1
+        idle_diff = idle2 - idle1
+
+        usages << ((1.0 - (idle_diff.to_f / total_diff)) * 100) if total_diff > 0
+      end
+
+      return nil if usages.empty?
+      (usages.sum / usages.size.to_f).round(1)
+    rescue StandardError
+      nil
+    end
+
     # Returns the floating point processor type.
     #
     # Not supported on all platforms.
diff --git a/lib/sys/windows/sys/cpu.rb b/lib/sys/windows/sys/cpu.rb
index cdc8584..0e86ff7 100644
--- a/lib/sys/windows/sys/cpu.rb
+++ b/lib/sys/windows/sys/cpu.rb
@@ -117,6 +117,46 @@ def self.load_avg(cpu_num = 0, host = Socket.gethostname)
       end
     end
 
+    # Returns CPU usage as a percentage, averaged over multiple samples.
+    #
+    # The +sample_time+ keyword specifies the interval (in seconds) between samples.
+    # The +samples+ keyword specifies how many samples to take and average.
+    # The +cpu_num+ keyword selects which CPU to query (0 for total).
+    # The +host+ keyword specifies the target machine (defaults to local).
+    #
+    #--
+    # This method uses the _Total Win32_PerfFormattedData_PerfOS_Processor instance
+    # (unless a specific +cpu_num+ is requested) to better match Task Manager's total view.
+    #
+    # Note: Task Manager reports total CPU usage across all cores. Win32_Processor.LoadPercentage
+    # is per-processor (usually per physical socket), so it can differ from Task Manager if it falls back.
+    #
+    def self.cpu_usage(sample_time: 1.0, samples: 2, cpu_num: 0, host: Socket.gethostname)
+      sample_time = 1.0 if sample_time.nil? || sample_time <= 0
+      samples = 2 if samples.nil? || samples <= 0
+      cpu_num = cpu_num.to_i if cpu_num.respond_to?(:to_i)
+      instance = cpu_num == 0 ? '_Total' : cpu_num.to_s
+      cs = BASE_CS + "//#{host}/root/cimv2:Win32_PerfFormattedData_PerfOS_Processor='#{instance}'"
+
+      usages = []
+
+      samples.times do
+        begin
+          wmi = WIN32OLE.connect(cs)
+        rescue WIN32OLERuntimeError
+          usages << load_avg(cpu_num, host)
+        else
+          result = wmi.PercentProcessorTime
+          usages << result.to_i if result
+        end
+        sleep(sample_time)
+      end
+
+      usages.compact!
+      return nil if usages.empty?
+      (usages.sum / usages.size.to_f).round(1)
+    end
+
     # Returns a string indicating the cpu model, e.g. Intel Pentium 4.
     #
     def self.model(host = Socket.gethostname)
diff --git a/spec/sys_cpu_bsd_spec.rb b/spec/sys_cpu_bsd_spec.rb
index de0738f..e44df77 100644
--- a/spec/sys_cpu_bsd_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/sys_cpu_bsd_spec.rb
@@ -52,6 +52,26 @@
     expect{ described_class.load_avg(0) }.to raise_error(ArgumentError)
   end
 
+  example 'cpu_usage works as expected' do
+    expect(described_class).to respond_to(:cpu_usage)
+    expect{ described_class.cpu_usage }.not_to raise_error
+    expect{ described_class.cpu_usage(sample_time: 0.1) }.not_to raise_error
+    expect(described_class.cpu_usage).to be_a(Numeric).or be_nil
+  end
+
+  example 'cpu_usage falls back on non-positive values' do
+    expect{ described_class.cpu_usage(sample_time: 0, samples: 0) }.not_to raise_error
+    expect{ described_class.cpu_usage(sample_time: -0.5, samples: -1) }.not_to raise_error
+    expect(described_class.cpu_usage(sample_time: 0, samples: 0)).to be_a(Numeric).or be_nil
+  end
+
+  example 'cpu_usage sampling produces a valid range' do
+    result = described_class.cpu_usage(sample_time: 0.1)
+    expect(result).to be_a(Numeric).or be_nil
+    expect(result).to be >= 0 if result
+    expect(result).to be <= 100 if result
+  end
+
   example 'machine method basic functionality' do
     expect(described_class).to respond_to(:machine)
     expect{ described_class.machine }.not_to raise_error
diff --git a/spec/sys_cpu_hpux_spec.rb b/spec/sys_cpu_hpux_spec.rb
index 3ef05a9..59dba8f 100644
--- a/spec/sys_cpu_hpux_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/sys_cpu_hpux_spec.rb
@@ -52,4 +52,24 @@
     expect(described_class.load_avg.length).to eq(3)
     expect(described_class.load_avg(0).length).to eq(3)
   end
+
+  example 'cpu_usage works as expected' do
+    expect(described_class).to respond_to(:cpu_usage)
+    expect{ described_class.cpu_usage }.not_to raise_error
+    expect{ described_class.cpu_usage(sample_time: 0.1) }.not_to raise_error
+    expect(described_class.cpu_usage).to be_a(Numeric).or be_nil
+  end
+
+  example 'cpu_usage falls back on non-positive values' do
+    expect{ described_class.cpu_usage(sample_time: 0, samples: 0) }.not_to raise_error
+    expect{ described_class.cpu_usage(sample_time: -1, samples: -1) }.not_to raise_error
+    expect(described_class.cpu_usage(sample_time: 0, samples: 0)).to be_a(Numeric).or be_nil
+  end
+
+  example 'cpu_usage sampling produces a valid range' do
+    result = described_class.cpu_usage(sample_time: 0.1)
+    expect(result).to be_a(Numeric).or be_nil
+    expect(result).to be >= 0 if result
+    expect(result).to be <= 100 if result
+  end
 end
diff --git a/spec/sys_cpu_linux_spec.rb b/spec/sys_cpu_linux_spec.rb
index c30f986..61b504f 100644
--- a/spec/sys_cpu_linux_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/sys_cpu_linux_spec.rb
@@ -49,6 +49,25 @@
     expect(described_class.num_cpu).to be_a(Numeric)
   end
 
+  example 'cpu_usage works as expected' do
+    expect{ described_class.cpu_usage }.not_to raise_error
+    expect(described_class.cpu_usage).to be_a(Numeric)
+  end
+
+  example 'cpu_usage falls back on non-positive values' do
+    expect{ described_class.cpu_usage(sample_time: 0, samples: 0) }.not_to raise_error
+    expect{ described_class.cpu_usage(sample_time: -1, samples: -2) }.not_to raise_error
+    expect(described_class.cpu_usage(sample_time: 0, samples: 0)).to be_a(Numeric)
+  end
+
+  example 'cpu_usage sampling produces a valid range' do
+    # Sampled usage should be a number between 0 and 100.
+    result = described_class.cpu_usage(sample_time: 0.1)
+    expect(result).to be_a(Numeric)
+    expect(result).to be >= 0
+    expect(result).to be <= 100
+  end
+
   example 'bogus methods are not picked up by method_missing' do
     expect{ described_class.bogus }.to raise_error(NoMethodError)
   end
diff --git a/spec/sys_cpu_shared.rb b/spec/sys_cpu_shared.rb
index e3e5cca..ae3e38a 100644
--- a/spec/sys_cpu_shared.rb
+++ b/spec/sys_cpu_shared.rb
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 
 RSpec.shared_examples Sys::CPU do
   example 'version number is set to the expected value' do
-    expect(Sys::CPU::VERSION).to eq('1.2.0')
+    expect(Sys::CPU::VERSION).to eq('1.3.0')
   end
 
   example 'version number is frozen' do
diff --git a/spec/sys_cpu_windows_spec.rb b/spec/sys_cpu_windows_spec.rb
index 109704d..923c904 100644
--- a/spec/sys_cpu_windows_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/sys_cpu_windows_spec.rb
@@ -59,6 +59,27 @@
     expect(described_class.load_avg).to be_a(Integer).or be_a(NilClass)
   end
 
+  example 'cpu_usage works as expected' do
+    expect(described_class).to respond_to(:cpu_usage)
+    expect{ described_class.cpu_usage }.not_to raise_error
+    expect{ described_class.cpu_usage(sample_time: 0.1, samples: 0, host: host) }.not_to raise_error
+    expect(described_class.cpu_usage).to be_a(Numeric).or be_a(NilClass)
+  end
+
+  example 'cpu_usage falls back on non-positive values' do
+    expect{ described_class.cpu_usage(sample_time: 0, samples: 0, host: host) }.not_to raise_error
+    expect{ described_class.cpu_usage(sample_time: -1, samples: -1, host: host) }.not_to raise_error
+    expect(described_class.cpu_usage(sample_time: 0, samples: 0, host: host)).to be_a(Numeric).or be_a(NilClass)
+  end
+
+  example 'cpu_usage sampling produces a valid range' do
+    # Sampled usage should be a number between 0 and 100.
+    result = described_class.cpu_usage(sample_time: 0.1)
+    expect(result).to be_a(Numeric).or be_nil
+    expect(result).to be >= 0 if result
+    expect(result).to be <= 100 if result
+  end
+
   example 'processors' do
     expect(described_class).to respond_to(:processors)
     expect{ described_class.processors{} }.not_to raise_error
diff --git a/sys-cpu.gemspec b/sys-cpu.gemspec
index 7b1d4e2..e13bc94 100644
--- a/sys-cpu.gemspec
+++ b/sys-cpu.gemspec
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ require 'rubygems'
 
 Gem::Specification.new do |spec|
   spec.name       = 'sys-cpu'
-  spec.version    = '1.2.0'
+  spec.version    = '1.3.0'
   spec.author     = 'Daniel J. Berger'
   spec.email      = 'djberg96@gmail.com'
   spec.license    = 'Apache-2.0'