A method for decoding video data provided in a bitstream, where the bitstream includes a coding unit (CU) coded in palette mode, includes: parsing a palette associated with the CU provided in the bitstream; parsing one or more run lengths provided in the bitstream that are associated with the CU; parsing one or more index values provided in the bitstream that associated with the CU; and parsing one or more escape pixel values provided in the bitstream that are associated with the CU. The escape pixel values may be parsed from consecutive positions in the bitstream, the consecutive positions being in the bitstream after all of the run lengths and the index values associated with the CU. The method may further include decoding the CU based on the parsed palette, parsed run lengths, parsed index values, and parsed escape values.