At least two code tables are used to decode a variable word length code sequence. A first code table stores code information of variable word length codes having code lengths shorter than or equal to 8 bits. In addresses of the first code table corresponding to longer variable word length code than 8 bits, data is stored indicative of longer codes than 8 bits. At first, the first code table is accessed. If the data being read from the first code table indicates a code length not more than 8 bits, an input variable word length code is identified and decoded. If the data being read from the first code table indicates a code length longer than 8 bits, the second code table is accessed and the input variable word length code is identified and decoded.