2bit

2bit, or 2-bit, is a term that can refer to different concepts in computing and digital technology. In its most literal sense, 2-bit describes data comprising two binary digits, each of which can be 0 or 1. This makes four possible states and defines the information capacity of the unit. In unsigned form this can encode values 0 through 3; in signed representations such as two's complement the range depends on the exact encoding but typically spans a small set of integers.

In digital graphics and displays, 2-bit color depth means each pixel is represented by two bits, allowing four distinct color or intensity levels. This was common in early displays and simple handheld devices, where memory constraints limited color richness. Modern displays typically use far greater color depth, but 2-bit schemes persist in retro consoles, tile graphics, and certain image formats that employ simple palettes.

Analog-to-digital conversion can also operate with 2-bit quantization, yielding four possible measurement levels. While this offers very coarse resolution, 2-bit quantizers can be used in low-power, low-bandwidth sensing, or concept demonstrations where simplicity matters.

In everyday language, two-bit or 2-bit can describe something of low value or quality, a usage that historically derives from the slang term two-bit meaning cheap or trivial.

Because the form 2bit is used in multiple domains, context is important to determine its meaning. It can denote a tiny information unit, a color depth, or an informal assessment of quality, among other uses.