A NAND gate is a universal logic element that performs the inverted operation of an AND gate. Its output remains at a logic high state unless every single input is driven high, which forces the output low. Because any other Boolean logic function can be constructed entirely from NAND gates, they form the foundational building blocks of flash memory and complex digital integrated circuits.
You can replace that entire combinational logic block with a few NAND gates to save board space.
Because they are universally functional and cheaper to manufacture at the transistor level in CMOS logic, NAND gates are often preferred over AND gates in chip design.
Also heard as
- Not-AND gate
Related terms
AND gate
A fundamental digital logic circuit that outputs a high signal only when all its inputs are high.
NOR gate
A digital logic gate that outputs true only when all of its inputs are false.
NOT gate
A digital logic gate that outputs the inverse of its input state.
Universal logic gate
A logic gate type that can be combined to reproduce any other boolean logic function.