Apparatus and methods for adaptive level shifting are provided. In one embodiment, a method of level shifting in an adaptive level shifter (ALS) is provided. The technique includes charging a first capacitor and a second capacitor each to a voltage that is about equal to a difference between a common mode voltage of a differential input voltage signal and a reference voltage. The technique can further include inserting the first capacitor between a first input and a first output of the ALS and the second capacitor between the second input and a second output of the ALS. The technique can further include switching the first capacitor and the second capacitor such that the first capacitor is inserted between the second input and the second output and the second capacitor is inserted between the first input and the first output.