Embodiments of the application provide a method for encoding data in a wireless communication network. A communication device obtains K data bits and a target code length M. The device determines a mother code length N1. The device encodes the K data bits to obtain an encoded bit sequence of code langth N1. The mother code length N1 is determined according to a minimum value of values Na, Nmax and N. The values Na, Nmax and N satisfy the following conditions: (1) the value Na satisfies with: a rate R1 is less than or equal to a preset rate, wherein the rate R1 is determined according to the value K and the value Na; (2) the value Nmax is a preset maximum mother code length, and Nmax is an integer power of 2; and (3) the value N satisfies with M≤N*(1+δ), and δ is a preset constant.