What is a vCPU?

A vCPU is one virtual processor core. On most clouds it is one thread of a physical core, so a physical core with two threads counts as two vCPUs.

Updated

Why the definition matters

Providers price CPU per vCPU or per physical core. A price per physical core covers two vCPUs, so it must be halved before you compare it with a price per vCPU.

Related terms

All glossary terms

Related