# How to calculate cycles per byte [closed]

Sometimes, websites and scientific papers that introduce and/or handle cryptographic algorithms also provide speed-analysis and tables comparing the individual performance of cryptographic implementations. I would like to do the same, but I'm not sure how to calculate the “cycles”.

I have this data:

• processor clock frequency: 2,1 ghz
• message length: 16 byte
• Speed: 4,3 Mbytes/s

How can I calculate “cycles” and “cycles per byte” from that data?

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## closed as off topic by Hendrik Brummermann♦May 19 '13 at 8:32

Questions on Cryptography Stack Exchange are expected to relate to cryptography within the scope defined by the community. Consider editing the question or leaving comments for improvement if you believe the question can be reworded to fit within the scope. Read more about reopening questions here. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

Welcome to Crypto.SE! Please note that this question is off-topic, and in general the community expects someone to do some research before asking a question. –  rath May 18 '13 at 21:21
I'm voting to leave closed since whilst this is now a clear and well-worded question I think it's still off-topic for this site: its about measuring computational speed, albeit the speed of a cryptographic algorithm. –  figlesquidge Mar 25 '14 at 10:59

$\displaystyle \text{cycles per byte} = \frac{\text{cycles per second}}{\text{bytes per second}} = \frac{2.1 ~ \text{GHz}}{4.3 ~ \text{MiB}} = \frac{2.1 \times 10^9}{4.3 \times 1024^2} \approx 466 ~ \text{cpb}$