Transactions per second, abbreviated TPS, expresses a transaction processing rate. An observed rate is calculated by dividing the counted transactions by the duration in seconds. If 12,000 transactions are included during a 60-second window, the average inclusion rate is 200 TPS for that window.
Define the numerator
A comparison must state what counts as a transaction. Some networks record consensus votes as transactions, and published metrics may include or exclude them. Transactions included with failed execution can also consume resources without accomplishing the intended user action. One transaction may contain several instructions or payments.
Define the time and stage
A brief peak, an hour-long average and a laboratory maximum answer different questions. So do rates of submitted, included and finalized transactions. Reporting 200 TPS does not establish a five-millisecond confirmation time for each transaction.
Compare like with like
Transaction complexity, hardware, network conditions and available demand affect results. Rollup user activity and base-layer settlement transactions should not be added without explaining the counting method. TPS is useful for describing activity or tested capacity, but it does not alone establish adoption, low fees, decentralization or security.