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Quantum computing is a new kind of computing that uses the rules of quantum physics to process information. Instead of ordinary bits that are always either 0 or 1, quantum computers use qubits, which can exist in a blend of 0 and 1 and can be linked together in ways that ordinary bits can’t. That lets quantum computers tackle certain very specific problems, such as simulating molecules or breaking some types of encryption, far more efficiently than today’s computers. They won’t replace your laptop or phone, and for everyday tasks like browsing, gaming or streaming, they offer no advantage.

The most useful way to think about quantum computers is as specialized tools. They’re being built to solve a narrow set of extremely hard problems, while regular computers will keep handling almost everything else in daily life.

Bits, Qubits and Why They’re Different

Every app, photo and message on your devices is stored as bits, tiny switches that are either off, representing 0, or on, representing 1. Ordinary computers process information by flipping huge numbers of these switches very quickly. Even the most powerful supercomputers work this way, just with more switches and more speed.

A qubit, short for quantum bit, works differently. Before it’s measured, a qubit can be in a state that combines 0 and 1, with certain probabilities of each. When you measure it, it settles into one definite answer, either 0 or 1. That might sound strange, but it reflects how particles behave at very small scales.