Difference between Flip-flop and Latch
Last Updated :
12 Jul, 2025
Flip-flops and latches are two kinds of memory circuits used in electronics. The main difference between them is how they react to changes. A latch changes its output whenever its input changes. This means it's always ready to respond. On the other hand, a flip-flop only changes its output at specific moments, like when its control signal goes from low to high. This makes flip-flops more stable in many situations. In simple terms, latches are always alert to changes, while flip-flops only act at certain times.
In this article, we will go through the Difference between Flip-flop and Latch, first, we will go through Flip-Flop and latch in brief with their block diagram, then we will go through the difference, and at last, we will conclude our article with FAQs.
Table of Content
- 1. Introduction
- 2. What is Flip-Flop?
- 3. What is Latch?
- 4. Different Types of Flip-Flops
- 5. Difference Between Flip-Flop and Latch
- 6. Conclusion
- 7. FAQs
What is Flip-Flop?
Flip-flop is a basic digital memory circuit, which stores one bit of information. Flip flops are the fundamental blocks of most sequential circuits. It is also known as a bistable multivibrator or a binary or one-bit memory. Flip-flops are used as memory elements in sequential circuits. The output is obtained in a sequential circuit from the Flip-flopscombinational circuit or flip-flop or both. The state of flip-flops changes at the active state of clock pulses and remains unaffected when the clock pulse is not active. In particular, clocked flip flops serve as memory elements in synchronous sequential Circuits and unclocked flip-flops (i.e., latches) serve as memory elements in asynchronous sequential circuits.
What is Latch ?
Latch is an electronic device, which changes its output immediately based on the applied input. It is used to store either 1 or 0 at any specified time. It consists of two inputs namely "SET" and RESET and two outputs, which are complement to each other.
Different Types of Flip-Flops
S-R Flip Flop
This stands for Set-Reset Flip Flop. It has two inputs: Set (S) and Reset (R), and two outputs: Q and Q' (not Q). When S is turned on, the output Q becomes 1. When R is turned on, Q becomes 0. If both S and R are 0, the flip-flop keeps its last state. However, having both S and R as 1 at the same time is usually avoided because it can lead to unpredictable behavior.
J-K Flip Flop
This flip-flop is like an improved S-R flip-flop. It has two inputs, J and K, and two outputs, Q and Q'. When J is 1 and K is 0, the output becomes 1. When J is 0 and K is 1, the output becomes 0. If both J and K are 0, it keeps its previous state. The special feature is when both J and K are 1 - this makes the flip-flop switch its state, turning 1 to 0 or 0 to 1.
T Flip Flop
The T stands for "Toggle." This flip-flop has one input T and two outputs Q and Q'. When T is 0, nothing changes. But when T is 1, the flip-flop switches its state. If Q was 1, it becomes 0, and if it was 0, it becomes 1. This is useful for making counters or dividing frequencies in digital circuits.
D Flip Flop
The D stands for "Data" or "Delay." It has one input D and two outputs Q and Q'. This flip-flop is simpler to use. Whatever value is on the D input (0 or 1) gets copied to the Q output when the flip-flop is triggered. It's often used to store data briefly or to synchronize signals in digital systems.
Difference Between Flip-Flop and Latch
Given Below are the Difference Between Flip-Flop and Latch
Flip-Flop | Latch |
|---|
Flip-flop is a bistable device i.e., it has two stable states that are represented as 0 and 1. | Latch is also a bistable device whose states are also represented as 0 and 1. |
It checks the inputs but changes the output only at times defined by the clock signal or any other control signal. | It checks the inputs continuously and responds to the changes in inputs immediately. |
It is a edge triggered device. | It is a level triggered device. |
Gates like NOR, NOT, AND, NAND are building blocks of flip flops. | These are also made up of gates. |
They are classified into asynchronous or synchronous flipflops. | There is no such classification in latches |
It forms the building blocks of many sequential circuits like counters. | These can be used for the designing of sequential circuits but are not generally preferred. |
Flip-flop always have a clock signal | Latches doesn't have a clock signal |
Flip-flop can be build from Latches | Latches can be build from gates |
ex:D Flip-flop, JK Flip-flop | ex:SR Latch, D Latch |
Conclusion
In this article, we have gone through the Flip Flop and Latch with their Block Diagram in brief. Also, we have gone through their major difference in detail. Flip-flops are key components in digital circuits for storing information. We covered four main types: S-R, J-K, T, and D. Each works differently but serves the same basic purpose. Flip-flops change at specific moments, while latches can change anytime. This knowledge is fundamental for understanding how digital devices work and is crucial for anyone learning about electronic circuits.
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