THE NUMBERS, EXPLAINED
How to use this calculator.
A conservative linear bound for one clock after an interval without resynchronization. Assumes the quoted drift remains bounded throughout. Two-clock relative uncertainty adds identical bounds in the worst opposite directions; this is not a guarantee of a time-sync protocol.
Start with your inputs
Enter absolute drift bound (ppm), seconds between synchronization, synchronization uncertainty bound (ms). Keep amounts in the units shown on each field. The example is a starting point, not a recommended value.
| Input | Example value |
|---|---|
| Absolute drift bound (ppm) | 20 |
| Seconds between synchronization | 3600 |
| Synchronization uncertainty bound (ms) | 5 |
A worked example
With the example inputs above, accumulated drift bound (ms) is 72. Change the inputs to explore your own scenario.
| Result | Example answer |
|---|---|
| Accumulated drift bound (ms) | 72 |
| Single-clock uncertainty bound (ms) | 77 |
| Two-clock relative bound (ms) | 154 |
How this is calculated
Accumulated drift bound (ms)
Parts per million × seconds ÷ 1,000 gives milliseconds.
Single-clock uncertainty bound (ms)
Add synchronization uncertainty to accumulated drift.
Two-clock relative bound (ms)
Add the same bound for two independent clocks in opposite directions.
Symbols and units
- a
- Absolute drift bound (ppm)
- b
- Seconds between synchronization
- c
- Synchronization uncertainty bound (ms)
Use the units shown. A list keeps the order in which you enter its values. The symbol ^ means “raised to the power of”.
Assumptions and limits
A conservative linear bound for one clock after an interval without resynchronization. Assumes the quoted drift remains bounded throughout. Two-clock relative uncertainty adds identical bounds in the worst opposite directions; this is not a guarantee of a time-sync protocol.
Calculations use the values you enter. Blank or invalid inputs show an error instead of silently substituting zero. Results are displayed to useful precision; calculations retain the underlying numeric precision.
Questions about this tool
What does the result tell me?
Accumulated drift bound (ms); Single-clock uncertainty bound (ms); Two-clock relative bound (ms). The result applies to the method and inputs described above. Check the units and assumptions before using it in a decision.
Why might another calculator differ?
Differences in units, rounding, timing or model definitions can produce different answers. Compare the input definitions and the method, rather than only the final number. For this tool: A conservative linear bound for one clock after an interval without resynchronization. Assumes the quoted drift remains bounded throughout. Two-clock relative uncertainty adds identical bounds in the worst opposite directions; this is not a guarantee of a time-sync protocol.
Are my inputs stored or sent to AI?
Calculations on this page happen in your browser. The separate AI question finder sends its submitted conversation to OpenAI; these calculator fields are not sent. Favourites and recent tool names are stored locally. A shared link contains the inputs you choose to include.
Further reading
OpenStax: percentages and proportions ↗
Background reading; this does not imply endorsement or independent review of SumFizz.
Review status
Software example and browser checks are recorded in our quality report. No external expert review is claimed. Created with coding assistance; calculations run as ordinary browser code.
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