Integer.numberOfLeadingZeros() Method in Java With Example

Last Updated : 13 Dec, 2021

The java.lang.Integer.numberOfLeadingZeros() is the method which returns the total number of zero(0) bits preceding the highest-order (ie.leftmost or most significant “1” bit)one-bit in the two’s complement binary representation of the specified integer value or we can say that it is the function which converts int value to Binary then considers the highest one bit and return no. of zero bits preceding it. If the specified integer value has no one-bits in its two’s complement representation, in other words if it is equal to zero then it will returns 32.
Syntax :

public static int numberOfLeadingZeros(int arg)

Parameter : This method accepts a single parameter arg which is the integer value.
Return Value : This method returns the number of zero bits preceding the highest-order set-bit in the two’s complement binary representation of the specified int value, or 32 if the value is equal to zero.
Explanation:

Consider any integer arg = 19
Binary Representation = 0001 0011
Highest bit(at 5) i.e.0001 0000
so result = 16-5 i.e. 11

Below programs illustrate the java.lang.Integer.numberOfLeadingZeros() method.
Program 1: For a positive number.

java

// Java program to illustrate the
// java.lang.Integer.numberOfLeadingZeros()
import java.lang.*;
 
public class LeadingZeros {
 
    public static void main(String[] args)
    {
 
        int a = 155;
        System.out.println("Integral Number = " + a);
 
        // Returns the number of zero bits preceding the highest-order
        // leftmost one-bit
        System.out.print("Number of Leading Zeros = ");
        System.out.println(Integer.numberOfLeadingZeros(a));
        a = 10;
        System.out.println("Integral Number = " + a);
 
        // Returns the number of zero bits preceding the highest-order
        // leftmost one-bit
        System.out.print("Number of Leading Zeros = ");
        System.out.println(Integer.numberOfLeadingZeros(a));
    }
}

Output:

Integral Number = 155
Number of Leading Zeros = 24
Integral Number = 10
Number of Leading Zeros = 28

Program 2: For a negative number.

java

// Java program to illustrate the
// java.lang.Integer.numberOfLeadingZeros()
import java.lang.*;
 
public class LeadingZeros {
 
    public static void main(String[] args)
    {
 
        int a = -15;
        System.out.println("Number = " + a);
 
        // Returns the number of zero bits preceding the highest-order
        // leftmost one-bit
        System.out.print("Number of Leading Zeros = ");
        System.out.println(Integer.numberOfLeadingZeros(a));
    }
}

Output:

Number = -15
Number of Leading Zeros = 0

Program 3: For a decimal value.
Note:It returns an error message when a decimal value is passed as an argument.

java

// Java program to illustrate the
// java.lang.Integer.numberOfLeadingZeros()
import java.lang.*;
 
public class LeadingZeros {
 
    public static void main(String[] args)
    {
 
        // Returns the number of zero bits preceding the highest-order
        // leftmost one-bit
        System.out.print("Number of Leading Zeros = ");
        System.out.println(Integer.numberOfLeadingZeros(16.32));
    }
}

Output:

prog.java:11: error: incompatible types: possible lossy conversion from double to int
        System.out.println(Integer.numberOfLeadingZeros(16.32));
                                                        ^
Note: Some messages have been simplified; recompile with 
-Xdiags:verbose to get full output
1 error

Program 4: For a string value is passed in argument.
Note:It returns an error message when a string is passed as an argument.

java

// Java program to illustrate the
// java.lang.Integer.numberOfLeadingZeros()
import java.lang.*;
 
public class LeadingZeros {
 
    public static void main(String[] args)
    {
 
        // returns the number of zero bits preceding the highest-order
        // leftmost one-bit
        System.out.print("Number of Leading Zeros = ");
        System.out.println(Integer.numberOfLeadingZeros("18"));
    }
}

Output:

prog.java:11: error: incompatible types: String cannot be converted to int
        System.out.println(Integer.numberOfLeadingZeros("18"));
                                                        ^
Note: Some messages have been simplified; recompile with 
-Xdiags:verbose to get full output
1 error