13bit

13bit refers to a data width of 13 bits, used to describe data paths, registers, or fields that do not align to the common power-of-two sizes. It is not a standardized word size in mainstream modern architectures, but non-standard bit widths appear in specialized hardware, vintage designs, and compact data formats where packing efficiency or legacy constraints drive a 13-bit width.

Unsigned 13-bit values range from 0 to 8191. In signed two's complement, the representable range is -4096 to 4095. A 13-bit address space covers 8192 distinct addresses, assuming one address per unit. In bit-field layouts, a 13-bit field may be used alongside other fields within a larger word, requiring careful bit masking and shifting.

Applications and contexts: 13-bit widths occur in custom ASICs, FPGAs, or microcontrollers that need a larger field than 8 bits without incurring a full 16-bit datapath. They also appear in compact data encoding schemes, where multiple smaller fields are packed into a larger word. In audio or image processing, 13-bit samples or color components are uncommon but may be encountered in proprietary formats or during packing stages.

As a term or brand, 13bit may also be used as a name for projects or products not related to a specific technical standard. Without context, its meaning is ambiguous.