Worldwide LHC Computing Grid
The global computing network behind the Large Hadron Collider’s discoveries.
A key tool for physics
The most sophisticated data-taking & analysis system ever built for science, providing near real-time access to LHC data.
Seamless access
A physicist anywhere in the world can run an analysis without needing to know where the data is stored.
Global collaboration
- 40+ countries
- 170+ computing centres
- Over 1 million computer cores
- 2 exabytes of storage
Enabling discovery
WLCG computing enabled physicists to announce the discovery of the Higgs Boson on 4 July 2012.
The Large Hadron Collider at CERN produces far more data than any single computing centre could handle. The Worldwide LHC Computing Grid links more than 170 computing sites in over 40 countries into one distributed system, so that thousands of physicists, wherever they are, can access and analyse LHC data in near real time. It is the world’s largest computing grid, and it played a key role in the discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012.
This site explains what the Grid is, how it is organised, and how you can get involved.
Who is this site for?
Curious about how it works? Start with Explore and Tiers for a plain-language explanation of how data flows from the LHC around the world.
Students and teachers? Find out what computing looks like behind particle physics, and where to learn more in Resources.
Journalists and the public? Use the key facts and figures on this page, and contact the CERN Press Office for interviews, images and press questions.
Researchers, institutes and computing centres? See Get Involved for how sites join the Grid, and visit the WLCG technical website for operations, policies and documentation.