Access time

For access time in hard disk drives, see Disk access time. For access time in Unix file statistics, see stat (system call). For access time in telecommunications networks, see Access network § Access process.

Access time is the time delay or latency between a request to an electronic system, and the access being initiated or the requested data returned.

In computer and software systems, it is the time interval between the point where an instruction control unit initiates a call to retrieve data or a request to store data, and the point at which delivery of the data is completed or the storage is started. Note that in distributed software systems, access time or latency should be measured through '99th percentile.^{[clarification needed][1]}

See also

• Memory latency
• Mechanical latency
• Rotational latency
• Seek time