IBM Eagle r3 vs IBM Nighthawk Specs, Pricing & Performance [2026]
Quick Verdict
Both QPUs have comparable 2Q gate fidelity (~99.50%). IBM Eagle r3 offers more physical qubits (127 qubits).
Specification Comparison
| Metric | IBM Eagle r3 | IBM Nighthawk |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Qubits | 127 ✓ | 120 |
| Technology | Superconducting | Superconducting |
| 2Q Gate Fidelity | 99.50% | 99.50% |
| 1Q Gate Fidelity | 99.97% | 99.97% |
| Readout Fidelity | 99.80% | 99.80% |
| Quantum Volume | 128 | 512 ✓ |
| CLOPS | 2,500 | 6,000 ✓ |
| T1 (Relaxation) | 250 µs | 350 µs ✓ |
| T2 (Dephasing) | 150 µs | 250 µs ✓ |
| 1Q Gate Time | 60 ns | 60 ns |
| 2Q Gate Time | 660 ns | 600 ns ✓ |
| Connectivity | Heavy Hex (deg 3) | Heavy Hex (deg 3) |
| Max Circuit Depth | 4,000 | 6,000 ✓ |
| Max Shots | 100,000 | 100,000 |
| Dynamic Circuits | Yes | Yes |
| Error Mitigation | Available | Available |
| Cloud Platforms | 3 platforms | 2 platforms |
Green bold values with a checkmark indicate the better result for each metric.
Pricing Comparison
Example: 10-qubit, 50-depth circuit, 1,000 shots — estimated cost on cheapest platform: IBM Eagle r3: $0.00 vs IBM Nighthawk: $8.00
Superconducting IBM Eagle r3
| Platform | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|
| IBM Quantum | $0.9600/sec | Available |
| Best IBM Quantum | Free tier | Available |
| qBraid | $0.9600/sec | Available |
Superconducting IBM Nighthawk
| Platform | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Best IBM Quantum | $1.60/sec | Limited |
| qBraid | $1.60/sec | Limited |
Use Case Recommendations
More qubits (127 qubits) allows encoding larger problem instances.
Higher CLOPS (6,000) means faster circuit execution for high-repetition workloads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between IBM Eagle r3 and IBM Nighthawk?
Both QPUs have comparable 2Q gate fidelity (~99.50%). IBM Eagle r3 offers more physical qubits (127 qubits).
Which is better for quantum chemistry, IBM Eagle r3 or IBM Nighthawk?
For quantum chemistry simulations (VQE, UCCSD), IBM Eagle r3 is preferred due to its higher 2Q gate fidelity (99.50% vs 99.50%). Higher gate fidelity directly reduces circuit error rates in chemistry algorithms.
How do the prices compare between IBM Eagle r3 and IBM Nighthawk?
IBM Eagle r3 is available from Free tier on IBM Quantum. IBM Nighthawk is available from $1.60/sec on IBM Quantum. Note that pricing models differ — per-shot pricing is directly comparable while AQT and HQC models depend on circuit structure.
Which QPU has better connectivity, IBM Eagle r3 or IBM Nighthawk?
Both IBM Eagle r3 and IBM Nighthawk use Heavy Hex connectivity. The effective connectivity degree is 3 for IBM Eagle r3 and 3 for IBM Nighthawk.
What are the coherence times for IBM Eagle r3 vs IBM Nighthawk?
IBM Eagle r3: T1=250 µs, T2=150 µs. IBM Nighthawk: T1=350 µs, T2=250 µs. IBM Nighthawk has longer coherence times, which generally allows for deeper circuits before errors accumulate.
Explore individual profiles