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Azure virtual machine sizes naming conventions

Applies to: ✔️ Linux VMs ✔️ Windows VMs ✔️ Flexible scale sets ✔️ Uniform scale sets

This page outlines the naming conventions used for Azure VMs. VMs use these naming conventions to denote varying features and specifications.

Naming convention explanation

[Family] + [Sub-family]* + [# of vCPUs] + [Constrained vCPUs]* + [Additive Features] + [Accelerator Type]* + [Memory Capacity]* + [Version]

Value Explanation
Family Indicates the VM Family Series. For more information, see the list of VM size families by type.
*Subfamily Used for specialized VM differentiations such as:
B = memory bandwidth optimized
C = confidential (for DC, EC, NCC series)
C = compute intensive (for HC, NC, NCC series)
D = AI training and inference optimized
G = cloud gaming and remote desktop optimized
V = visualization and graphics optimized
X = extra memory
# of vCPUs Denotes the number of vCPUs of the VM
*Constrained vCPUs Used for certain VM sizes only. Denotes the number of vCPUs for the constrained vCPU capable size
Additive Features Lower case letters denote additive features, such as:
a = AMD-based processor
b = remote storage bandwidth optimized
d = includes a local temp disk
e = encrypted; contains confidential TDX capabilities
f = flat ratio (1:1) of vCPU to memory size
i = isolated size
l = low memory; decreased vCPU to memory ratio
m = memory intensive; highest vCPU to memory ratio in a particular series
n = network optimized; increased vCPU to network bandwidth ratio
o = increased vCPU to local SSD storage capacity ratio
p = ARM-based processor
r = includes RDMA (InfiniBand) secondary network
s = compatible with any premium SSD type
t = tiny memory; smallest vCPU to memory ratio in a particular size
*Accelerator Type Denotes the type of hardware accelerator in the specialized/GPU SKUs. Only new specialized/GPU SKUs launched from Q3 2020 have the hardware accelerator in the name.
*Memory Capacity Denotes M-series memory capacity, rounded to the nearest TiB.
Version Denotes the version number of the VM Family Series

Example breakdown

[Family] + [Sub-family]* + [# of vCPUs] + [Constrained vCPUs]* + [Additive Features] + [Accelerator Type]* + [Memory Capacity]* + [Version]

Example 1: M48ds_1_v3

Value Explanation
Family M
# of vCPUs 48
Additive Features d = local temp disk
s = Premium Storage capable
Memory Capacity 974 GiB ≈ 1 TiB
Version v3

Example 2: NV16as_v4

Value Explanation
Family N
Subfamily V
# of vCPUs 16
Additive Features a = AMD-based processor
s = Premium Storage capable
Version v4

Example 3: NC4as_T4_v3

Value Explanation
Family N
Subfamily C
# of vCPUs 4
Additive Features a = AMD-based processor
s = Premium Storage capable
Accelerator Type T4
Version v3

Example 4: M8-2ms_v2 (Constrained vCPU)

Value Explanation
Family M
# of vCPUs 8
Constrained vCPUs 2
Additive Features m = memory intensive
s = Premium Storage capable
Version v2

Next steps

Learn more about available VM Sizes in Azure.