A memory device is designed to store data in multilevel storage cells (MLC storage cells). The memory device includes a controller that dynamically writes data to the storage cells according to a first MLC density or a second MLC density. The second density is less dense than the first density. For example, the controller can determine to use the first density when there is sufficient write bandwidth to program the storage cells at the first density. When the write throughput increases, the controller can program the same MLC storage cells at the second density instead of the first density, using the same program process and voltage.