Coding sub-channel selection involves, in an embodiment, determining, from sub-channels that are defined by a code and that have associated reliabilities for input bits at input bit positions, a first number of the sub-channels to carry bits that are to be encoded. A second number of the sub-channels, greater than the first number, are selected. The second number of sub-channels are selected to provide exactly the first number sub-channels to be available to carry the bits that are to be encoded.