Enter the service level objective (%) into the Calculator. The calculator will evaluate the Error Budget. 

Error Budget Formula

EB = (1 - SLO/100) *100

Variables:

  • EB is the Error Budget (%)
  • SLO is the service level objective (%)

To calculate Error Budget, subtract the service level objective from 1, then multiply by 100.

How to Calculate Error Budget?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Error Budget.


  1. First, determine the service level objective (%). 
  2. Next, gather the formula from above = EB = (1 – SLO/100) *100.
  3. Finally, calculate the Error Budget.
  4. After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

service level objective (%) = 45

FAQ

What is a Service Level Objective (SLO)?
A Service Level Objective (SLO) is a target level of service between a service provider and a customer as part of a service level agreement (SLA). It quantifies the expected performance and availability of a service, typically expressed as a percentage.

Why is calculating the Error Budget important?
Calculating the Error Budget is important because it helps organizations determine how much downtime or unavailability is acceptable before it affects the agreed-upon service level objectives. This allows for better risk management and planning for service reliability.

How can Error Budgets be used in IT and software development?
In IT and software development, Error Budgets can guide the balance between releasing new features and ensuring service reliability. If the Error Budget is not exhausted, teams might decide to push more features. Conversely, if the budget is nearly depleted, efforts may focus on improving stability and reliability.

Can the Error Budget formula be applied to any service?
Yes, the Error Budget formula can be applied to any service that has defined service level objectives. It is a versatile tool that helps manage the performance and reliability of various services, from cloud computing to customer support.