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What's new at IBM Quantum

Q1 2026

More runtime for Open Plan users

IBM Quantum Open Plan users are getting new learning resources, expanded QPU access, and a special one-time offer: eligible users can now unlock 180 minutes of runtime after using 20 minutes within past 12 months. Sign in to IBM Quantum Platform to view your status.

IBM Quantum Nighthawk chip
  • Best EPLG

    0.19%

    On ibm_boston

  • Best CLOPS

    330K+

    Across 7 QPUs

  • Total available qubits

    2344

    Across 16 QPUs

  • Total papers

    5857

    Citing IBM Quantum or Qiskit

Learn quantum-HPC workflows

Dive into the world of quantum-centric supercomputing with our new course, "Integrating quantum and high-performance computing." Get free, hands-on guidance covering:

  • Computing resource management
  • Quantum and classical programming models
  • SQD and SKQD algorithms

Heron r3 & Nighthawk for deeper circuits

Target deeper, more demanding circuits on IBM’s latest QPUs. Heron r3 delivers low error rates for complex hybrid workflows. Nighthawk’s square-lattice connectivity enables new kinds of experiments, like a recent study using 2D disordered Heisenberg‑model simulations to examine the thermalization of isolated quantum many‑body systems.

Designing quantum projects

New course helps you make the most of expanded Open Plan runtime.

Learn how to:

  • Scope projects
  • Choose high-impact use cases
  • Secure funding

Qiskit v2.4—for software devs

Qiskit v2.4 makes it easier to build fast, compiled tooling. New C‑API features, improved Python extension support, and faster fault‑tolerant compilation. Better performance without requiring changes to existing workflows.

Additional updates

Introducing Qiskit Fermions

Qiskit Fermions is a new quantum chemistry library that extends Qiskit with tools for fermionic systems. Use built‑in fermionic mappers, operator tools, and an extensible circuit‑synthesis library—or build your own mappers and circuits with Python or the C API.

Tutorial: Low-overhead error detection with spacetime codes

Try out a novel method that uses spacetime codes to detect errors, balancing the accuracy of fault-tolerant error correction protocols with the lighter-weight computational cost of error mitigation.

Qiskit Functions add real-time logs

Real-time execution logs provide visibility into execution stages, applied optimizations, and job metadata. Use `job.logs()` to monitor progress, debug failures faster, and analyze how Functions run—while they're running. Try it now in the Quantum Portfolio Optimizer Function, more soon.

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