diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 555a6b8..feb63f5 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ The following information is included:
 - available entropy
 - hostname
 - ip addresses
+- load avg
 - ram numbers (free ram, percentage, total ram and used ram)
 - temperature
 - volume percentage (alsa)
diff --git a/config.def.h b/config.def.h
index 3cbbedf..2dd05de 100644
--- a/config.def.h
+++ b/config.def.h
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ static const char unknowntext[] = "n/a";
 - gid (gid of current user) [argument: NULL]
 - hostname [argument: NULL]
 - ip (ip address) [argument: interface]
+- load_avg (load average) [argument: NULL]
 - ram_free (ram usage in percent) [argument: NULL]
 - ram_perc (ram usage in percent) [argument: NULL]
 - ram_total (ram usage in percent) [argument: NULL]
diff --git a/slstatus.c b/slstatus.c
index 9884aaa..87e705d 100644
--- a/slstatus.c
+++ b/slstatus.c
@@ -342,6 +342,22 @@ ip(const char *interface)
 	return smprintf(unknowntext);
 }
 
+/* load avg */
+char *
+load_avg(const char *null)
+{
+	double avgs[3];
+
+	/* try to get load avg */
+	if (getloadavg(avgs, 3) < 0) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "Error getting load avg.\n");
+		return smprintf(unknowntext);
+	}
+
+	/* return it */
+	return smprintf("%.2f %.2f %.2f", avgs[0], avgs[1], avgs[2]);
+}
+
 /* ram free */
 char *
 ram_free(const char *null)
diff --git a/slstatus.h b/slstatus.h
index f09b3bc..5efc5f2 100644
--- a/slstatus.h
+++ b/slstatus.h
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ char *entropy(const char*);
 char *gid(const char*);
 char *hostname(const char *);
 char *ip(const char *);
+char *load_avg(const char *);
 char *ram_free(const char *);
 char *ram_perc(const char *);
 char *ram_used(const char *);