Description
Return minimal two's-complement width covering a supplied interval.
A fixed-width bit pattern and the number it represents are different concepts. Unsigned, two's-complement, one's-complement, sign-magnitude and biased encodings use different sign and zero conventions, so a bit-preserving transformation need not preserve numerical meaning.
Return minimal two's-complement width covering a supplied interval.
When to use this tool
Use Bitfield Signed Range Width when checking the stated fixed-width representation or encoding convention.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter minimum, maximum. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read width. Use the output convention below.
Return minimal two's-complement width covering a supplied interval. Require ordered integer minimum/maximum inside signed32 range; increase width from one until both fit [-2^(w-1),2^(w-1)-1].1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| minimum | Minimum | Required. Safe integer; minimum -2147483648. |
| maximum | Maximum | Required. Safe integer; maximum 2147483647. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| width | Width under the stated bit, interval or geometry convention; apply the field-specific units and bounds. | Required. Safe integer. |
{
"input": {
"minimum": -8,
"maximum": 7
},
"output": {
"width": 4
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- This is signed range capacity, not minimal unsigned width or verification of an actual encoded field.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Choose an explicit representation and width, validate the complete encoded value and use the matching signed or unsigned conversion for the intended numerical interpretation.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Sign Extension Width Redundancy
Return a wider sign-extended word and added bit count.
- Bitwise: Sign Magnitude Signed Zero Tag
Return sign-magnitude sign, magnitude and negative-zero flags.