NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.

Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.

U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

PUBLICATIONS

The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing

Published

Author(s)

Peter M. Mell, Timothy Grance

Abstract

Cloud computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. This cloud model is composed of five essential characteristics, three service models, and four deployment models.
Citation
Special Publication (NIST SP) - 800-145
Report Number
800-145
NIST Pub Series
Special Publication (NIST SP)
Pub Type
NIST Pubs

Download Paper

DOI Link

Keywords

Cloud Computing, SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, On-demand Self Service, Reserve Pooling, Rapid Elasticity, Measured Service, Software as a Service, Platform as a Service, Infrastructure as a Service
Cloud computing and virtualization and Cybersecurity and privacy

Citation

Mell, P. and Grance, T. (2011), The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing, Special Publication (NIST SP), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-145 (Accessed October 10, 2025)

Issues

If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact [email protected].

Created September 28, 2011, Updated November 10, 2018
Was this page helpful?