A low voltage swing priority encoder comprising pass cells to provide differential voltages indicative of the leading one of a binary tuple. A tree structure with bypass paths allows for the minimization of the number of pass cells in a signal propagation path so as to reduce signal delay. The pass cells are responsive to control voltages indicative of various Boolean functions of the binary tuple, and a pulse voltage signal is applied to the pass cells. In response to the control voltages and the pulse voltage signal, the pass cells provide differential voltages so that voltage swing of the differential voltages are kept below the supply voltage to reduce dynamic power dissipation. Sense amplifiers sense the differential voltages to provide the final logic level indicative of the leading one of the binary tuple.