Encoders and methods for designing encoders for Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) and other block codes are presented. An efficient and systematic method for designing partially parallel encoders is presented. A parallelism factor is selected such that the end result for the encoder is similar to the partially parallel G matrix multiplication method. In addition to the method an initial circuit is given for the G matrix multiplication encoder and the RU encoder. A circuit for the hybrid encoder is presented which achieves less power consumption and smaller area than an equivalent encoder based on the G matrix multiplication with a smaller critical path than previous encoders.