Cloud computing exhibits several key characteristics that define its nature and distinguish it from traditional computing models. On-demand self-service allows users to provision and manage computing resources, such as server instances or storage, without requiring human intervention from service providers. Broad network access ensures that cloud services are accessible over the internet from a variety of devices, promoting ubiquitous access. Resource pooling involves the multi-tenant model where computing resources are pooled and shared among multiple users, optimizing efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Rapid elasticity allows users to scale resources up or down based on demand, ensuring flexibility and adaptability to changing workloads. Measured service involves tracking and monitoring resource usage, enabling users to pay for the specific resources they consume. These characteristics collectively define the cloud computing paradigm, providing users with scalable, accessible, and cost-efficient computing resources on-demand.