These bits will hold up to a 16-bit ADC conversion result, depending on the configuration.

In single conversion mode without averaging, the ADC conversion will produce a 12-bit result, which can be left- or right-shifted, depending on the setting of CTRLC.LEFTADJ.

If the result is left-adjusted (CTRLC.LEFTADJ), the high byte of the result will be in bit position [15:8], while the remaining 4 bits of the result will be placed in bit locations [7:4]. This can be used only if an 8-bit result is needed; i.e., one can read only the high byte of the entire 16-bit register.

If the result is not left-adjusted (CTRLC.LEFTADJ) and no oversampling is used, the result will be available in bit locations [11:0], and the result is then 12 bits long. If oversampling is used, the result will be located in bit locations [15:0], depending on the settings of the Average Control register.