# What happens when heap size set by XX:MaxRAMpercentage is exceeded?
**URL:** https://discuss.kubernetes.io/t/what-happens-when-heap-size-set-by-xx-maxrampercentage-is-exceeded/17228
**Category:** General Discussions
**Created:** [August 26, 2021, 9:08pm UTC](https://discuss.kubernetes.io/t/what-happens-when-heap-size-set-by-xx-maxrampercentage-is-exceeded/17228 "2021-08-26T21:08:17Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Growler787](https://discuss.kubernetes.io/u/Growler787)
#### Post date: [August 26, 2021, 9:08pm UTC](https://discuss.kubernetes.io/t/what-happens-when-heap-size-set-by-xx-maxrampercentage-is-exceeded/17228/1 "2021-08-26T21:08:17Z")
Hi.
I am looking into possibilities of using the parameters XX:MInRAMpercentage and XX:MaxRAMpercentage when determining the heap size in a JVM.
Let me show an example:
We have the Kubernetes POD named Pod1.
Inside Pod1 we have:
limits:
cpu: “250m”
memory: “500Mi”
requests:
cpu: “250m”
memory: “250Mi”
If we set XX:MaxRAMpercentage at 50% which means that the heap will be 250 Mi.
**What will happen when the heap exceeds the value set by XX:MaxRAMpercentage?**
Garbage Collection?
Out Of Memory error?
I’ve browsed through the internet but was not able to find any answers on this topic. Therefore I am turning to the community.
Cheers,
Thomas
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### Author:  [@calebAtAmazon](https://discuss.kubernetes.io/u/calebAtAmazon)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2026, 5:48pm UTC](https://discuss.kubernetes.io/t/what-happens-when-heap-size-set-by-xx-maxrampercentage-is-exceeded/17228/2 "2026-03-03T17:48:39Z")
Same question, anyone w/ Java experience know the answer?