Abstract: Embodiments of decoders having early decoding termination detection are disclosed. The decoders can provide for flexible and scalable decoding and early termination detection, particularly when quasi-cyclic low-density parity-check code (QC-LDPC) decoding is used. In one embodiment, a controller iteratively decodes a data unit using a coding matrix comprising a plurality of layers. The controller terminates decoding the data unit in response to determining that the decoded data units from more than one layer decoding operation satisfy a parity check equation and that the decoded data units from more than one layer decoding operation are the same. Advantageously, the termination of decoding of the data unit can reduce a number of iterations performed to decode the data unit.