Difference Between Latch and Flip Flop

The difference Between Latch and Flip Flop is covered in this article. Candidates are advised to read the full article carefully for a deep insight into the Difference Between Latch and Flip Flop.

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Difference Between Latch and Flip Flop

What is the Difference Between a Latch and Flip Flop? This is the question being asked in several competitive exams, interviews, viva voice, etc. Either latch or Flip Flop are memory elements used in sequential circuit designing then why do we require two separate circuits or what is the difference between both of them, these questions usually strike the aspirants’ minds. Here is the answer to all your doubts. In this article, we have explained the key difference between Latch and Flip Flop starting from the very basic to all sorts of parameters. The aspirants shall read the full article carefully & bookmark the website for further Engineering Job Updates.

Flip Flop

Flip Flop is a one-bit memory storage element used in sequential circuits as a basic building block. The Flip Flops are edge-triggered devices which means that they change the state at the edges of the clock (either a rising or falling state). Flip Flops or bistable multivibrators can be categorized as given below on the basis of their operations:

SR Flip Flop
JK Flip Flop
D Flip Flop
T Flip Flop

Latch

The latch is also a storage element used in synchronous circuit designing based on the level-triggering concept. It stores either 0 or 1 for the specified duration either at a positive level or a negative level.

Latch Vs Flip Flop

The difference between a latch and the Flip-Flop is given in the table below:

Parameter	Latch	Flip Flop
Triggering	The latch is the level-triggered circuit	Flip Flop is the edge-triggered circuit.
Basic elements	It is designed using logic gates	It is designed using a latch and clock.
Speed	It has a faster operating speed	It operates at a comparatively slower speed.
Basic Classification	No specific classification	They can be classified as synchronous and asynchronous flip-flops.
Robust	Latches are less robust	Flip Flop is more robust.
Power	It requires less power	It required more power
Types	SR, JK, D, and T latches	SR, JK, D and T Flip Flops
Output Dependency	Output depends on the present and past input along with the past output.	Output depends on present and past input bits along with the past output and clock pulses.
Area	It requires less area	It requires more area