Moore's Law
Moore's law is the observation that the number of transistors on a chip doubles about every two years, making computers faster and cheaper.
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Moore's law is the observation that the number of transistors on a chip doubles about every two years, making computers faster and cheaper.
- Predicted by Gordon Moore
- Growth is exponential
- Physical limits are approaching
🧠 Quick quiz
Three questions. Score 2 or more to complete the topic.
What is Moore's Law?
Within Computer Science, which covers algorithms, programming, data, networks, hardware and safe, responsible use of technology, this topic explains Moore's Law. Computing topics explain how software, hardware and data work, with diagrams and models that show each step in order.
Check that you can explain Moore's Law in your own words and give one example from everyday life. If you can do that, you have understood the core idea.
Understanding Moore's Law helps you design, test and explain programs, websites and systems, from small projects to exam questions.
Moore's Law in detail
Moore's Law is the observation, made by Intel co-founder Gordon Moore in 1965, that the number of transistors on a chip doubles about every two years, leading to more powerful and cheaper computers. It has held for decades and explains why a modern phone is more powerful than the supercomputers of the past.
It is not a law of nature but a trend driven by engineering improvements. Physical limits, such as atom size and heat, are slowing it, so other approaches are used, such as multiple cores, specialised chips and quantum computing. The idea shows how exponential growth shapes technology.
How the interactive helps you understand Moore's Law
Watch the growth curve in the interactive. Use any sliders or buttons it offers to change the values and see how the growth curve responds.
Before you change anything, predict the result. Then change one value at a time and check whether your prediction was right. This is a quick way to build a correct mental model of Moore's Law.
Real-life uses and examples
- Recognise Moore's Law in an app or device you use every day.
- Apply Moore's Law when you design a small program, website or spreadsheet.
- Explain Moore's Law to someone new to computing by comparing it to a familiar process.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using the term without being able to say what the computer actually does.
- Testing only the normal case and forgetting the edge cases.
- Learning the definition without testing it. Use the quiz and the interactive to check that you can apply the idea.
Frequently asked questions about Moore's Law
What is Moore's Law?
Moore's law is the observation that the number of transistors on a chip doubles about every two years, making computers faster and cheaper.
What are the most important points about Moore's Law?
The main points are: Predicted by Gordon Moore; Growth is exponential; Physical limits are approaching.
Why is Moore's Law useful?
Understanding Moore's Law helps you design, test and explain programs, websites and systems, from small projects to exam questions.
How can I practise Moore's Law?
Open the interactive at the top of this page and change the controls one at a time. Predict the result before each change, then take the three-question quiz. A score of two or more marks the topic as complete on this device.
Which topics are related to Moore's Law?
Related topics in Computer Science include Project Management and Teamwork, Careers in Computing, Email and Online Communication.