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Assembler User Guide



10.39 IT



IT{x{y{z}}} {cond}
specifies the condition switch for the second instruction in the IT block.
specifies the condition switch for the third instruction in the IT block.
specifies the condition switch for the fourth instruction in the IT block.
specifies the condition for the first instruction in the IT block.
The condition switch for the second, third and fourth instruction in the IT block can be either:
Then. Applies the condition cond to the instruction.
Else. Applies the inverse condition of cond to the instruction.


The IT instruction makes up to four following instructions (the IT block) conditional. The conditions can be all the same, or some of them can be the logical inverse of the others.
The instructions (including branches) in the IT block, except the BKPT instruction, must specify the condition in the {cond} part of their syntax.
You are not required to write IT instructions in your code, because the assembler generates them for you automatically according to the conditions specified on the following instructions. However, if you do write IT instructions, the assembler validates the conditions specified in the IT instructions against the conditions specified in the following instructions.
Writing the IT instructions ensures that you consider the placing of conditional instructions, and the choice of conditions, in the design of your code.
When assembling to ARM code, the assembler performs the same checks, but does not generate any IT instructions.
With the exception of CMP, CMN, and TST, the 16-bit instructions that normally affect the condition flags, do not affect them when used inside an IT block.
A BKPT instruction in an IT block is always executed, so it does not require a condition in the {cond} part of its syntax. The IT block continues from the next instruction.


You can use an IT block for unconditional instructions by using the AL condition.
Conditional branches inside an IT block have a longer branch range than those outside the IT block.


The following instructions are not permitted in an IT block:
  • IT.
  • CBZ and CBNZ.
  • TBB and TBH.
Other restrictions when using an IT block are:
  • A branch or any instruction that modifies the PC is only permitted in an IT block if it is the last instruction in the block.
  • You cannot branch to any instruction in an IT block, unless when returning from an exception handler.
  • You cannot use any assembler directives in an IT block.


The assembler shows a diagnostic message when any of these instructions are used in an IT block.

Condition flags

This instruction does not change the flags.


Exceptions can occur between an IT instruction and the corresponding IT block, or within an IT block. This exception results in entry to the appropriate exception handler, with suitable return information in LR and SPSR.
Instructions designed for use as exception returns can be used as normal to return from the exception, and execution of the IT block resumes correctly. This is the only way that a PC-modifying instruction can branch to an instruction in an IT block.


This 16-bit Thumb instruction is available in ARMv6T2 and above.
In ARM code, IT is a pseudo-instruction that does not generate any code.
There is no 32-bit version of this instruction.

Correct examples

    ITTE   NE        ; IT can be omitted
    ANDNE  r0,r0,r1  ; 16-bit AND, not ANDS
    ADDSNE r2,r2,#1  ; 32-bit ADDS (16-bit ADDS does not set flags in 
                     ; IT block)
    MOVEQ  r2,r3     ; 16-bit MOV
    ITT    AL        ; emit 2 non-flag setting 16-bit instructions
    ADDAL  r0,r0,r1  ; 16-bit ADD, not ADDS
    SUBAL  r2,r2,#1  ; 16-bit SUB, not SUB
    ADD    r0,r0,r1  ; expands into 32-bit ADD, and is not in IT block
    ITT    EQ        
    MOVEQ  r0,r1
    BEQ    dloop     ; branch at end of IT block is permitted
    ITT    EQ
    MOVEQ  r0,r1
    BKPT   #1        ; BKPT always executes
    ADDEQ  r0,r0,#1     

Incorrect example

    IT     NE
    ADD    r0,r0,r1  ; syntax error: no condition code used in IT block
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