Throughput vs. Capacity — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 6, 2023
Throughput refers to the rate at which data is processed or goods are produced over time, while capacity is the maximum amount that can be contained or produced.
Difference Between Throughput and Capacity
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Throughput refers to the amount of material or items passing through a system or process from start to finish over a certain period. Capacity, however, is the maximum output that a system or process can handle under ideal conditions. Throughput is about efficiency and flow, whereas capacity is about potential and scale.
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Nov 06, 2023
Throughput is measured by the rate of production or processing, such as Mbps in data transfer or units per hour in manufacturing. Capacity, conversely, defines the limit of production or processing, like the maximum data bandwidth or the total volume a facility can handle at once. Throughput is operational, while capacity is more about infrastructure.
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While throughput can vary according to the system's efficiency, capacity is often a fixed value determined by physical or design constraints. A system's throughput can never exceed its capacity, as capacity sets the upper boundary for throughput. Throughput changes with actual conditions; capacity represents a theoretical maximum.
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In a practical scenario, throughput could refer to the actual number of cars passing over a bridge in an hour, while capacity would be the maximum number of cars that could pass if the bridge were fully utilized. Throughput is dynamic and changes in real-time; capacity is static until the system is upgraded.
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Throughput and capacity are interrelated; high capacity does not guarantee high throughput, which can be affected by other factors such as system management or operational efficiencies. In computing, throughput might refer to actual data transmitted over a network, whereas capacity would be the network's maximum data carrying capability.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Rate of production or processing over time.
Maximum amount that can be produced or contained.
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Measurement
Units per time (e.g., Mbps, transactions per second).
Maximum units (e.g., bandwidth, volume).
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Changes
Can fluctuate based on system efficiency.
Typically a fixed value unless the system is upgraded.
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Dependence
Dependent on actual usage and conditions.
Not dependent on current usage, it’s a theoretical limit.
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Relevance
Indicates current performance.
Indicates potential performance.
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Compare with Definitions
Throughput
Speed of processing transactions in a system.
(Payment system throughput is critical during sales.)
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Capacity
Maximum number of occupants a building can hold.
(The hall has a capacity of 500 people.)
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Throughput
The rate of data transfer through a network.
(The new fiber optics increased the throughput dramatically.)
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Capacity
Total volume a container can hold.
(The tank's capacity is 200 gallons of water.)
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Throughput
Quantity of products produced in a given time frame.
(High throughput at the plant meant higher profits.)
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Capacity
The extent to which someone can do something.
(She has the capacity to manage multiple projects.)
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Throughput
Volume of work completed by a machine per hour.
(Throughput of the printer reached 300 pages per hour.)
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Capacity
The ability to receive, hold, or absorb something
The storage capacity of a car's trunk.
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Throughput
The flow rate at which a fluid passes through a pipeline.
(The throughput of the oil pipeline was measured daily.)
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Capacity
The maximum amount that can be contained
A bin filled to capacity.
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Throughput
In general terms, throughput is the rate of production or the rate at which something is processed. When used in the context of communication networks, such as Ethernet or packet radio, throughput or network throughput is the rate of successful message delivery over a communication channel.
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Capacity
The power to learn or retain knowledge; mental ability.
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Throughput
Output or production, as of a computer program, over a period of time.
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Capacity
The ability to do, make, or accomplish something; capability
A comedian's capacity for making people laugh.
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Throughput
(networking) The rate at which data is transferred through a system.
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Capacity
The maximum or optimum amount that can be produced
Factories operating below capacity.
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Throughput
(operations) The rate of production; the rate at which something can be processed.
The factory managed a throughput of 120 units per hour.
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Capacity
The quality of being suitable for or receptive to specified treatment
The capacity of elastic to be stretched.
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Throughput
(optics) etendue.
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Capacity
The position in which one functions; role
In your capacity as sales manager.
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Throughput
Output relative to input; the amount passing through a system from input to output (especially of a computer program over a period of time)
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Capacity
Legal qualification or authority
The capacity to make an arrest.
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Capacity
(Electricity) Capacitance.
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Capacity
Filling a space with the most it can hold
A capacity crowd at the concert.
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Capacity
The ability to hold, receive, or absorb
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Capacity
A measure of such ability; volume
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Capacity
The maximum amount that can be held
It was hauling a capacity load.
The orchestra played to a capacity crowd.
A factory operating at less than full capacity.
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Capacity
Capability; the ability to perform some task
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Capacity
The maximum that can be produced.
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Capacity
Mental ability; the power to learn
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Capacity
A faculty; the potential for growth and development
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Capacity
A role; the position in which one functions
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Capacity
Legal authority (to make an arrest for example)
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Capacity
Electrical capacitance.
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Capacity
(operations) The maximum that can be produced on a machine or in a facility or group.
Its capacity rating was 150 tons per hour, but its actual maximum capacity was 200 tons per hour.
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Capacity
Filling the allotted space.
There will be a capacity crowd at Busch stadium for the sixth game.
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Capacity
The power of receiving or containing; extent of room or space; passive power; - used in reference to physical things.
Had our great palace the capacityTo camp this host, we all would sup together.
The capacity of the exhausted cylinder.
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Capacity
The power of receiving and holding ideas, knowledge, etc.; the comprehensiveness of the mind; the receptive faculty; capability of understanding or feeling.
Capacity is now properly limited to these [the mere passive operations of the mind]; its primary signification, which is literally room for, as well as its employment, favors this; although it can not be denied that there are examples of its usage in an active sense.
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Capacity
Ability; power pertaining to, or resulting from, the possession of strength, wealth, or talent; possibility of being or of doing.
The capacity of blessing the people.
A cause with such capacities endued.
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Capacity
Outward condition or circumstances; occupation; profession; character; position; as, to work in the capacity of a mason or a carpenter.
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Capacity
Legal or moral qualification, as of age, residence, character, etc., necessary for certain purposes, as for holding office, for marrying, for making contracts, wills, etc.; legal power or right; competency.
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Capacity
Ability to perform or produce
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Capacity
The susceptibility of something to a particular treatment;
The capability of a metal to be fused
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Capacity
The amount that can be contained;
The gas tank has a capacity of 12 gallons
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Capacity
The maximum production possible;
The plant is working at 80 per cent capacity
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Capacity
A specified function;
He was employed in the capacity of director
He should be retained in his present capacity at a higher salary
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Capacity
(computer science) the amount of information (in bytes) that can be stored on a disk drive;
The capacity of a hard disk drive is usually expressed in megabytes
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Capacity
An electrical phenomenon whereby an electric charge is stored
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Capacity
The power to learn or retain knowledge; in law, the ability to understand the facts and significance of your behavior
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Capacity
Tolerance for alcohol;
He had drunk beyond his capacity
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Capacity
The full production potential of a manufacturing facility.
(The factory operates at 75% capacity.)
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Capacity
The largest amount that a system can handle.
(The bridge was designed with a capacity for heavy traffic.)
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Common Curiosities
What exactly does throughput measure?
Throughput measures the rate at which tasks are completed or items are produced over time.
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How is capacity defined?
Capacity is the maximum output or holding potential of a system or facility.
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What affects throughput in a production line?
Throughput can be affected by machine efficiency, worker productivity, and process optimization.
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Can capacity be increased?
Capacity can be increased by upgrading the system or expanding facilities.
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Is capacity related to physical size?
Capacity often relates to physical size, like volume or bandwidth, but also includes factors like design limits.
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How does throughput affect consumer experience?
High throughput can lead to faster service and better consumer experience.
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Can throughput exceed capacity?
No, throughput cannot exceed the system's capacity.
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Is capacity a constant value?
Yes, capacity is generally constant unless the system is modified to increase it.
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Does high capacity automatically mean high throughput?
No, high capacity does not always lead to high throughput, which depends on various factors.
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Can throughput be a bottleneck in a system?
Yes, if throughput is low compared to capacity, it can become a bottleneck.
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Does increasing capacity always improve throughput?
Increasing capacity may improve potential throughput, but actual throughput improvement requires efficient system utilization.
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How do you calculate throughput?
Throughput is calculated by dividing the total output by the time taken to produce that output.
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Why might capacity not be fully utilized?
Capacity might not be fully utilized due to operational inefficiencies or lower demand.
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In computing, how do capacity and throughput differ?
In computing, capacity is the total data a system can handle, while throughput is the actual data processed in a given time.
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What units are used for measuring throughput?
Throughput is measured in units relevant to the context, like Mbps for data transfer or units per hour for manufacturing.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content editor at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
