Systems and methods for low complexity forward transforms using mesh-based calculations are described herein. One aspect of the subject matter described in the disclosure provides a video encoder comprising a memory configured to store video information. The video encoder further comprises a processor in communication with the memory. The processor is configured to decompose a transform into multiple transform stages. The processor is further configured to transform the video information using the multiple stages to determine a transform stage output at each transform stage. The processor is further configured to constrain the transform stage output at each transform stage to a predetermined bit depth. The processor is further configured to perform operations on the constrained transform output of a last stage of the multiple stages, wherein the operations are only available for use with data having the predetermined bit depth.