To obtain a variable length code decoder capable of decoding processing at high speed.

A code length calculation means 108 compares the code sequence of a fixed length including a sorted variable length code from a code sequence selection means 104 with the minimum code of each code length corresponding to a sorting result stored in a minimum code storage means 109, calculates the code length of the sorted variable length code, and calculates the code length of the variable length code with the code length of the sorted variable length and the sorting result. An address calculation means 110 calculates the address of a decoding table storage means 111 storing a decoded value with the code length of the variable code and the code sequence of the fixed length including a variable length code from a barrel shifter 102.