Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described for indicating modulation order and code rate for transmissions between a user equipment (UE) and a base station. The base station may configure one or more parameter tables that provide mapping between a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) index and the modulation order and code rate. The one or more tables may be explicitly indicated in configuration signaling, may be configured based on a frequency range for communications or a reference signal configuration, or any combinations thereof. The base station may transmit control information to the UE that indicates the MCS index value and that indicates a first table of multiple configured tables is to be used to determine the modulation order and code rate.