Techniques and tools for escape mode code resizing are described. For example, a video decoder receives encoded information (e.g., runs, levels) for transform coefficients of blocks. For at least some of the encoded information, the decoder decodes in an escape mode for which codes have sizes signaled on a sub-frame basis (e.g., on a per-interlaced field basis in a video frame, or on a per-slice basis in a video frame). A video encoder performs corresponding encoding and signaling.