A method for multiple transform selection (MTS) is provided. A video decoder receives data from a bitstream for a block of pixels to be decoded as a current block of a current picture of a video. The decoder sets a zero-out indication based on one or more non-zero coefficient indications of subblocks of the current block. When the zero-out indication indicates that a zero-out region has no non-zero coefficient, the decoder parses the bitstream for an MTS index. When the zero-out indication indicates that the zero-out region has at least one non-zero coefficient, the decoder sets the MTS index to a default value without parsing the MTS index from the bitstream. The decoder selects a transform mode according to the MTS index for the current block. The decoder reconstructs the current block by using the selected transform mode.