Embodiments are directed to systems and methods of using rice code in video coding. In one embodiment includes a method of encoding or decoding video data, e.g., on a video encoder or decoder. The method includes determining available residual coefficients neighboring a current position in a transform unit of video data and determining a sum of the available residual coefficients. The method further includes modifying the sum based on the number of available residual coefficients and determining a rice parameter based on the modified sum. The method further includes encoding or decoding a syntax element of video data based on the determined rice parameter.