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# bitsPerSample

The number of bits per sample in the object (if the object is a planar image, this property contains the number of bits per sample per plane).

```
var bitsPerSample: Int { get set }
```

## Discussion

The number of bits used to specify each component of data in a single pixel (for example, a value of 8 for an RGBA image means that each pixel is comprised of four 8-bit values) or [`NSImageRepMatchesDevice`](/documentation/AppKit/NSImageRepMatchesDevice).

A subclass can set this property when loading image data to notify the parent class of how many bits each sample uses. Specifying a value that differs from the actual image data does not change the bit depth of the image.

## See Also

[`bitsPerPixel`](/documentation/AppKit/NSBitmapImageRep/bitsPerPixel)

The number of bits allocated for each pixel in each plane of data.

[`samplesPerPixel`](/documentation/AppKit/NSBitmapImageRep/samplesPerPixel)

The number of components for each pixel.

[`isPlanar`](/documentation/AppKit/NSBitmapImageRep/isPlanar)

A Boolean value that indicates whether the image data is in a planar configuration.


---

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