# What is the shortest ciphertext size output by FHE?

Assume we use batching and modulus switching techniques to reduce the size of ciphertext in fully homomorphic encryption (FHE).

Question: What is the shortest ciphertext bit-size output by the most efficient fully homomorphic encryption?

Remark: I'm aware that there're different FHE schemes. I'd like to see what is the shortest ciphertext we can get (even using the above techniques) from an efficient FHE that outputs the shortest ciphertext.

• The schemes aren't just different, they have different capabilities. Only capable of addition, or multiplication, or Turing complete, etc. It's it the latter that you are interested in? – Natanael Feb 18 at 13:46
• @Natanael The question is in context to FHE. Only capable of addition would be a partially homomorphic encryption (PHE). – AleksanderRas Feb 18 at 13:59
If, however, you want to encrypt multiple bits, then any FHE scheme can achieve optimal rate of $$1+o(1)$$ using a standard hybrid encryption: an encryption of an $$n$$ bit plaintext $$m_1, \cdots, m_n$$ is $$(\mathsf{FHE}(K), \mathsf{SymEnc}_K(m_1, \cdots m_n))$$, where $$\mathsf{SymEnc}_K$$ is a secret-key encryption scheme with secret key $$K$$. To evaluate a function homomorphically on this ciphertext, simply homomorphically apply first the following circuit $$C$$ to $$\mathsf{FHE}(K)$$: $$C$$ has $$E = \mathsf{SymEnc}_K(m_1, \cdots m_n)$$ hardcoded in its description, and on input $$K$$, it outputs $$\mathsf{SymDec}_K(E)$$. Hence, this steps gives you $$\mathsf{FHE}(C(K)) = \mathsf{FHE}(\mathsf{SymDec}_K(E)) = \mathsf{FHE}(m_1, \cdots m_n)$$, from which you can then evaluate any function of your choice. The ciphertext size is then $$n + O(\lambda)$$, where $$\lambda$$ is a security parameter, assuming $$\mathsf{SymEnc}_K$$ has rate $$1+o(1)$$ (which is the case with every modern symmetric encryption scheme, e.g. AES).