Frequently asked questions
Short answers, each pointing to the page that holds the sources. For longer explanations see the guides or the glossary. To report a wrong number, use the corrections page.
What is ComputeFinder?
ComputeFinder is a directory of where compute comes from and what rules apply to it. It lists 84 providers, 52 free and funded programmes and 111 country and territory profiles, each linked to its sources. The about page says who runs it and why.
Does ComputeFinder show GPU prices?
No. We do not publish prices, because a listed price here would be out of date and some price sources are not cleared for reuse. Each provider page links to the provider's own price list instead. The method page explains how a price is defined.
How do I get GPUs this week?
Start with the offer types that list on-demand access, and expect larger or planned capacity to need a quote or an application. Our guide How to get GPUs this week lists the routes we have checked and the questions to ask. The buyer's checklist is a printable version of those questions.
What is the difference between a hyperscaler, a GPU cloud, a marketplace and a decentralised network?
A hyperscaler is a very large general-purpose cloud, a GPU cloud focuses on accelerator capacity, a marketplace lists capacity from several hosts in one place, and a decentralised network pools capacity from many independent operators. The comparison of offer types sets out who runs the hardware, how you pay and how long you commit, and it does not rank anyone. The full set is 12 ways to buy compute.
Is there free or funded compute for research and start-ups?
Public schemes, grants, credits and free tiers exist, and we list 52 of them on free and funded compute. Eligibility, amounts and deadlines change, so read the programme's own page before applying. The page links each programme's application page.
What does 100MW of data centre capacity mean?
It depends on what the figure measures. With the round assumptions on our 100MW calculator, 100MW of IT load comes to 130MW of facility load and about 2,500 racks, but those assumptions are illustrations, not facts about any site. The guide How much power does 1MW, 10MW and 100MW mean works through three sizes and three readings.
Why do capacity figures for the same site disagree?
They often measure different things: IT load, facility load or a grid connection quoted in MVA. They can also describe different stages, such as announced or operating. In our data centre records each figure carries its metric and stage, and we do not add figures across metrics.
Can I build a data centre in a particular country?
A directory cannot say yes, but it can show the rules to read. Can I build a data centre here? lists the planning, grid, tax and law instruments we have sourced for a place, each with a status and a link to the primary text, and it says plainly when we do not know. The guide explains how to read the policy register, and none of it is legal advice.
What is an interconnection queue and where can I see one?
An interconnection queue is the list of projects waiting for a connection to the electricity grid. Our grid queues page shows Berkeley Lab Queued Up figures by region, credited and dated. A project in a queue is not a project that has been built.
Do export controls affect where I can buy or run compute?
They can. Export controls and compute thresholds lists 23 rules that depend on chips or training compute, each with its status and a link to the primary text. Check the primary rule and take advice before you buy or run anything affected, because this site is not legal advice.
How do I know whether a fact on the site is reliable?
Every fact shows a source and a check date, and carries one of four labels: official source, corroborated, source claim or candidate. The method page explains each label and how records are checked. The sources page lists every source and whether its licence allows us to publish from it.
Can I reuse your data?
Our own summaries, labels and compilation are published under CC BY 4.0, and the data downloads page offers JSON and CSV for each compiled dataset. That licence covers our contributions only, and third-party material keeps its source terms. Check the licence notes on sources and licences before reuse.
Written on 3 October 2026 and due for review by 3 January 2027. Counts come from our data files. This is general information, not advice. Something wrong? Tell us.