{
  "slug": "mlc",
  "term": "Multi-level cell (MLC)",
  "aliases": [
    "2 bits per cell"
  ],
  "definition": "NAND flash that stores two bits per cell by using four distinct charge levels per floating gate.",
  "note": "In engineering usage, MLC means two bits per NAND cell (four voltage levels). Colloquial marketing sometimes says “MLC” for any multi-bit flash including TLC and QLC—this glossary uses the 2-bit sense. 2-bit MLC sat historically between SLC endurance/performance and TLC density/cost; planar and early 3D products shipped distinct MLC SKUs. Today retail client SSDs are dominated by TLC and QLC; 2-bit MLC persists mainly in industrial and specialty qualifications. Always verify datasheet bits-per-cell when someone claims an “MLC SSD” in 2020s procurement language.",
  "status": "limited",
  "advantages": [],
  "limitations": [],
  "related": [
    "slc",
    "tlc",
    "qlc",
    "nand-flash"
  ],
  "supersedes": [
    "slc"
  ],
  "supersededBy": [
    "tlc"
  ],
  "firstSeen": null,
  "lastSeen": null,
  "citations": [
    {
      "id": "c1",
      "title": "Multi-level cell",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-level_cell",
      "accessed": "2026-03-26"
    },
    {
      "id": "n2",
      "title": "Samsung — Evaluating MLC vs TLC vs V-NAND",
      "url": "https://s7d2.scene7.com/is/content/SamsungUS/b2b/resource/2015/11/25/WHP-SSD-MLCvsTLC-OCT15J_1.pdf",
      "accessed": "2026-10-07"
    },
    {
      "id": "n3",
      "title": "Micron — NAND flash",
      "url": "https://www.micron.com/products/storage/nand-flash",
      "accessed": "2026-10-07"
    }
  ]
}