Virtual Threads vs Platform Threads — JVM Threading Architecture

Virtual thread = lightweight object

Not an OS thread. Just JVM state. Can create millions per JVM. Memory: ~200 bytes each vs ~1MB for platform thread.

Advertisement

Not an OS thread. Just JVM state. Can create millions per JVM. Memory: ~200 bytes each vs ~1MB for platform thread.

Advertisement

Small pool of OS threads (typically = CPU count). Virtual threads mount on a carrier to execute.