Aspects of the present disclosure provide a computer-implemented method that includes providing a layered index to variable length data, the layered index comprising a plurality of layers. Each layer of the plurality of layers has an index array, a block offset array, and a per-block size array. The index array identifies a next level index of a plurality of indices or data. The indices represent a delta value from a first index of a block. The block offset array identifies a starting location of the index array. The per-block array identifies a shared integer size of a block of indices. The method further includes performing a random access read of the variable length data using the layered index.