Error Budget Burn Rate Calculator
Burn rate compares the observed error share with the permitted error budget for a service-level objective. It is a useful indicator only when the numerator, denominator and budget period align.
How to use this calculator
- Enter allowed failure budget (%), observed failed requests (%), observation window (hours) using the same measurement window and units.
- Check the result and intermediate values, then change one input at a time when comparing scenarios.
- Keep the stated scope and assumptions attached to any result you share.
Formula and method
Burn rate = observed failure fraction ÷ allowed failure fraction.
- The observed rate is burning budget at 2.5× the allowed rate.
- The estimated exhaustion time assumes the observed rate stays constant. It does not replace rolling-window SLO alerts or incident analysis.
Worked examples
Worked example
Observed failures are 0.25% against a 0.1% allowed budget.
The observed rate is burning budget at 2.5× the allowed rate.
The observed rate is burning budget at 2.5× the allowed rate.
Understanding the result
The observed rate is burning budget at 2.5× the allowed rate.
The estimated exhaustion time assumes the observed rate stays constant. It does not replace rolling-window SLO alerts or incident analysis.
Important notes
The estimated exhaustion time assumes the observed rate stays constant. It does not replace rolling-window SLO alerts or incident analysis.
Use measured inputs or documented assumptions, and validate important decisions with the appropriate source specifications or professional guidance.
Frequently asked questions
What does a burn rate over 1× mean?
The current error rate exceeds the allowed average rate for the budget definition used.
Can the rate be zero?
Yes. If no failures are observed, current burn is zero for this sample, but a short quiet window does not prove future reliability.
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Related explanations
Learn the method behind the number or compare the terminology before using the calculator.
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This page provides a calculation tool plus explanatory information so you can understand what the result means and when the underlying method may not fit your situation.