52bit

52bit is a term used in computing to describe data that is encoded using 52 bits. The phrase commonly appears in discussions of numeric precision, data packing, and computer architectures, where 52 bits may be chosen as part of a larger word size or as the explicit width of a field in bit-level formats. There is no single standard definition of 52bit; instead it denotes a width that may appear in different contexts.

The most frequent reference to 52 bits is in the IEEE 754 double-precision floating-point format. In this standard, a double-precision number uses 52 explicit fraction (mantissa) bits, along with an implicit leading bit, to provide 53 bits of precision. This arrangement allows all integers up to 2^53 − 1 to be represented exactly, while larger integers may require rounding.

In data encoding and protocol design, a 52-bit field can be part of a larger 64-bit or 128-bit structure. Such layouts can maximize information density by dedicating 52 bits to a primary value and reserving the remaining bits for flags, counters, or metadata. The exact interpretation depends on the specific format being used.

As a term, 52bit does not denote a distinct standard, organization, or product; it is a descriptive label that appears in explanations of precision, representation, or bit packing. Users should interpret it from the surrounding technical context.

See also: IEEE 754, double-precision floating point, mantissa, 2^53.