A method and apparatus for encoding and decoding depth lookup table (DLT) using a constrained table value range are disclosed. For a decoder, a constrained table value range from a minimum table value to a maximum table value of the DLT is decoded from the coded DLT information. Bit map values for depth values in a depth range from (the minimum table value+1) to (the maximum table value−1) are then decoded. The bit map values indicate whether the depth values are in the DLT respectively. The DLT for the current depth map can be reconstructed based on the constrained table value range and the bit map values for the depth values in the depth range. For an encoder, a constrained table value range from a minimum table value to a maximum table value of the DLT is determined and encoded the DLT into coded DLT information.