An encoding circuit shortens time required for a coincidence signal to be converted into an address code after selected and output sequentially according to a predetermined priority level when the coincidence signal is obtained from an associative memory. The circuit is provided with a contention arbitrating circuit for a lower subgroup and a contention arbitrating circuit for a higher subgroup. In the contention arbitrating circuit for a lower subgroup and the contention arbitrating circuit for higher subgroup, each coincidence signal simultaneously activates inhibiting signals whose priority levels are lower than the priority level of the coincidence signal. A lower half of coincidence signals are arranged in descending order in the contention arbitrating circuit for a lower subgroup and a higher half of coincidence signals are arranged in ascending order in the contention arbitrating circuit for a higher subgroup. The contention arbitrating circuit for a lower subgroup and the contention arbitrating circuit for a higher subgroup are arranged in a triangular array and a complementary triangular array, respectively.