diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index 9e4b650e..299493ea 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ SUBDIRS = test
 UTIL_INCLUDE =  \
     annotations.hpp 	\
     backtrace.hpp   	\
+    bitwise.hpp		\
     debug.hpp   	\
     enable_if.hpp  	\
     endian.hpp		\
@@ -35,6 +36,7 @@ UTIL_INCLUDE =  \
     version.hpp
 
 UTIL_FILES   =		\
+    bitwise.cpp		\
     debug.cpp   	\
     endian.cpp		\
     except.cpp  	\
diff --git a/bitwise.cpp b/bitwise.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5d732e9f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bitwise.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+/*
+ * This file is part of libgim.
+ *
+ * libgim is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the
+ * terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software
+ * Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later
+ * version.
+ *
+ * libgim is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY
+ * WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS
+ * FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License for more
+ * details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ * along with libgim.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ *
+ * Copyright 2010 Danny Robson <danny@blubinc.net>
+ */
+
+#include "bitwise.hpp"
+
+
diff --git a/bitwise.hpp b/bitwise.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..cad09b86
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bitwise.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+/*
+ * This file is part of libgim.
+ *
+ * libgim is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the
+ * terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software
+ * Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later
+ * version.
+ *
+ * libgim is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY
+ * WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS
+ * FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License for more
+ * details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ * along with libgim.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ *
+ * Copyright 2010 Danny Robson <danny@blubinc.net>
+ */
+
+#ifndef __UTIL_BITWISE_HPP
+#define __UTIL_BITWISE_HPP
+
+#include <cstdint>
+
+const uint8_t BITMASK_1BITS = 0x01;
+const uint8_t BITMASK_2BITS = 0x03;
+const uint8_t BITMASK_3BITS = 0x07;
+const uint8_t BITMASK_4BITS = 0x0F;
+const uint8_t BITMASK_5BITS = 0x1F;
+const uint8_t BITMASK_6BITS = 0x3F;
+const uint8_t BITMASK_7BITS = 0x7F;
+const uint8_t BITMASK_8BITS = 0xFF;
+
+
+
+#endif 
+