diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-altera.c b/drivers/spi/spi-altera.c
index a537f8d..6b7096e 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-altera.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-altera.c
@@ -103,16 +103,6 @@ static void altera_spi_chipsel(struct spi_device *spi, int value)
 	}
 }
 
-static int altera_spi_setupxfer(struct spi_device *spi, struct spi_transfer *t)
-{
-	return 0;
-}
-
-static int altera_spi_setup(struct spi_device *spi)
-{
-	return 0;
-}
-
 static inline unsigned int hw_txbyte(struct altera_spi *hw, int count)
 {
 	if (hw->tx) {
@@ -231,7 +221,6 @@ static int altera_spi_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 	master->bus_num = pdev->id;
 	master->num_chipselect = 16;
 	master->mode_bits = SPI_CS_HIGH;
-	master->setup = altera_spi_setup;
 
 	hw = spi_master_get_devdata(master);
 	platform_set_drvdata(pdev, hw);
@@ -240,7 +229,6 @@ static int altera_spi_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 	hw->bitbang.master = spi_master_get(master);
 	if (!hw->bitbang.master)
 		return err;
-	hw->bitbang.setup_transfer = altera_spi_setupxfer;
 	hw->bitbang.chipselect = altera_spi_chipsel;
 	hw->bitbang.txrx_bufs = altera_spi_txrx;
 
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-ath79.c b/drivers/spi/spi-ath79.c
index e504b76..5e2d52c 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-ath79.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-ath79.c
@@ -155,9 +155,6 @@ static int ath79_spi_setup(struct spi_device *spi)
 {
 	int status = 0;
 
-	if (spi->bits_per_word > 32)
-		return -EINVAL;
-
 	if (!spi->controller_state) {
 		status = ath79_spi_setup_cs(spi);
 		if (status)
@@ -226,6 +223,7 @@ static int ath79_spi_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 
 	pdata = pdev->dev.platform_data;
 
+	master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_RANGE_MASK(1, 32);
 	master->setup = ath79_spi_setup;
 	master->cleanup = ath79_spi_cleanup;
 	if (pdata) {
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-atmel.c b/drivers/spi/spi-atmel.c
index 380387a..31cfc87 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-atmel.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-atmel.c
@@ -1268,13 +1268,6 @@ static int atmel_spi_setup(struct spi_device *spi)
 		return -EINVAL;
 	}
 
-	if (bits < 8 || bits > 16) {
-		dev_dbg(&spi->dev,
-				"setup: invalid bits_per_word %u (8 to 16)\n",
-				bits);
-		return -EINVAL;
-	}
-
 	/* see notes above re chipselect */
 	if (!atmel_spi_is_v2(as)
 			&& spi->chip_select == 0
@@ -1515,7 +1508,7 @@ static int atmel_spi_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 
 	/* the spi->mode bits understood by this driver: */
 	master->mode_bits = SPI_CPOL | SPI_CPHA | SPI_CS_HIGH;
-
+	master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_RANGE_MASK(8, 16);
 	master->dev.of_node = pdev->dev.of_node;
 	master->bus_num = pdev->id;
 	master->num_chipselect = master->dev.of_node ? 0 : 4;
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-au1550.c b/drivers/spi/spi-au1550.c
index 44dd34b..d736fa9 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-au1550.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-au1550.c
@@ -248,11 +248,6 @@ static int au1550_spi_setupxfer(struct spi_device *spi, struct spi_transfer *t)
 			hz = t->speed_hz;
 	}
 
-	if (bpw < 4 || bpw > 24) {
-		dev_err(&spi->dev, "setupxfer: invalid bits_per_word=%d\n",
-			bpw);
-		return -EINVAL;
-	}
 	if (hz > spi->max_speed_hz || hz > hw->freq_max || hz < hw->freq_min) {
 		dev_err(&spi->dev, "setupxfer: clock rate=%d out of range\n",
 			hz);
@@ -296,12 +291,6 @@ static int au1550_spi_setup(struct spi_device *spi)
 {
 	struct au1550_spi *hw = spi_master_get_devdata(spi->master);
 
-	if (spi->bits_per_word < 4 || spi->bits_per_word > 24) {
-		dev_err(&spi->dev, "setup: invalid bits_per_word=%d\n",
-			spi->bits_per_word);
-		return -EINVAL;
-	}
-
 	if (spi->max_speed_hz == 0)
 		spi->max_speed_hz = hw->freq_max;
 	if (spi->max_speed_hz > hw->freq_max
@@ -782,6 +771,7 @@ static int au1550_spi_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 
 	/* the spi->mode bits understood by this driver: */
 	master->mode_bits = SPI_CPOL | SPI_CPHA | SPI_CS_HIGH | SPI_LSB_FIRST;
+	master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_RANGE_MASK(4, 24);
 
 	hw = spi_master_get_devdata(master);
 
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-bcm63xx.c b/drivers/spi/spi-bcm63xx.c
index a4ec5f4..270f09c 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-bcm63xx.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-bcm63xx.c
@@ -124,17 +124,6 @@ static void bcm63xx_spi_setup_transfer(struct spi_device *spi,
 /* the spi->mode bits understood by this driver: */
 #define MODEBITS (SPI_CPOL | SPI_CPHA)
 
-static int bcm63xx_spi_setup(struct spi_device *spi)
-{
-	if (spi->bits_per_word != 8) {
-		dev_err(&spi->dev, "%s, unsupported bits_per_word=%d\n",
-			__func__, spi->bits_per_word);
-		return -EINVAL;
-	}
-
-	return 0;
-}
-
 static int bcm63xx_txrx_bufs(struct spi_device *spi, struct spi_transfer *first,
 				unsigned int num_transfers)
 {
@@ -277,13 +266,6 @@ static int bcm63xx_spi_transfer_one(struct spi_master *master,
 	 * full-duplex transfers.
 	 */
 	list_for_each_entry(t, &m->transfers, transfer_list) {
-		if (t->bits_per_word != 8) {
-			dev_err(&spi->dev, "%s, unsupported bits_per_word=%d\n",
-				__func__, t->bits_per_word);
-			status = -EINVAL;
-			goto exit;
-		}
-
 		if (!first)
 			first = t;
 
@@ -430,11 +412,11 @@ static int bcm63xx_spi_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 
 	master->bus_num = pdata->bus_num;
 	master->num_chipselect = pdata->num_chipselect;
-	master->setup = bcm63xx_spi_setup;
 	master->prepare_transfer_hardware = bcm63xx_spi_prepare_transfer;
 	master->unprepare_transfer_hardware = bcm63xx_spi_unprepare_transfer;
 	master->transfer_one_message = bcm63xx_spi_transfer_one;
 	master->mode_bits = MODEBITS;
+	master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_MASK(8);
 	bs->msg_type_shift = pdata->msg_type_shift;
 	bs->msg_ctl_width = pdata->msg_ctl_width;
 	bs->tx_io = (u8 *)(bs->regs + bcm63xx_spireg(SPI_MSG_DATA));
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-bfin-sport.c b/drivers/spi/spi-bfin-sport.c
index 39b0d17..e4a858a 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-bfin-sport.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-bfin-sport.c
@@ -417,7 +417,7 @@ bfin_sport_spi_pump_transfers(unsigned long data)
 
 	/* Bits per word setup */
 	bits_per_word = transfer->bits_per_word;
-	if (bits_per_word % 16 == 0)
+	if (bits_per_word == 16)
 		drv_data->ops = &bfin_sport_transfer_ops_u16;
 	else
 		drv_data->ops = &bfin_sport_transfer_ops_u8;
@@ -600,13 +600,6 @@ bfin_sport_spi_setup(struct spi_device *spi)
 		}
 	}
 
-	if (spi->bits_per_word % 8) {
-		dev_err(&spi->dev, "%d bits_per_word is not supported\n",
-				spi->bits_per_word);
-		ret = -EINVAL;
-		goto error;
-	}
-
 	/* translate common spi framework into our register
 	 * following configure contents are same for tx and rx.
 	 */
@@ -778,6 +771,7 @@ static int bfin_sport_spi_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 	drv_data->pin_req = platform_info->pin_req;
 
 	master->mode_bits = SPI_CPOL | SPI_CPHA | SPI_LSB_FIRST;
+	master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_MASK(8) | SPI_BPW_MASK(16);
 	master->bus_num = pdev->id;
 	master->num_chipselect = platform_info->num_chipselect;
 	master->cleanup = bfin_sport_spi_cleanup;
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-bfin5xx.c b/drivers/spi/spi-bfin5xx.c
index 317f564..e35c19c 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-bfin5xx.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-bfin5xx.c
@@ -643,21 +643,16 @@ static void bfin_spi_pump_transfers(unsigned long data)
 
 	/* Bits per word setup */
 	bits_per_word = transfer->bits_per_word;
-	if (bits_per_word % 16 == 0) {
+	if (bits_per_word == 16) {
 		drv_data->n_bytes = bits_per_word/8;
 		drv_data->len = (transfer->len) >> 1;
 		cr_width = BIT_CTL_WORDSIZE;
 		drv_data->ops = &bfin_bfin_spi_transfer_ops_u16;
-	} else if (bits_per_word % 8 == 0) {
+	} else if (bits_per_word == 8) {
 		drv_data->n_bytes = bits_per_word/8;
 		drv_data->len = transfer->len;
 		cr_width = 0;
 		drv_data->ops = &bfin_bfin_spi_transfer_ops_u8;
-	} else {
-		dev_err(&drv_data->pdev->dev, "transfer: unsupported bits_per_word\n");
-		message->status = -EINVAL;
-		bfin_spi_giveback(drv_data);
-		return;
 	}
 	cr = bfin_read(&drv_data->regs->ctl) & ~(BIT_CTL_TIMOD | BIT_CTL_WORDSIZE);
 	cr |= cr_width;
@@ -808,13 +803,13 @@ static void bfin_spi_pump_transfers(unsigned long data)
 			bfin_write(&drv_data->regs->tdbr, chip->idle_tx_val);
 		else {
 			int loop;
-			if (bits_per_word % 16 == 0) {
+			if (bits_per_word == 16) {
 				u16 *buf = (u16 *)drv_data->tx;
 				for (loop = 0; loop < bits_per_word / 16;
 						loop++) {
 					bfin_write(&drv_data->regs->tdbr, *buf++);
 				}
-			} else if (bits_per_word % 8 == 0) {
+			} else if (bits_per_word == 8) {
 				u8 *buf = (u8 *)drv_data->tx;
 				for (loop = 0; loop < bits_per_word / 8; loop++)
 					bfin_write(&drv_data->regs->tdbr, *buf++);
@@ -1033,12 +1028,6 @@ static int bfin_spi_setup(struct spi_device *spi)
 		chip->ctl_reg &= bfin_ctl_reg;
 	}
 
-	if (spi->bits_per_word % 8) {
-		dev_err(&spi->dev, "%d bits_per_word is not supported\n",
-				spi->bits_per_word);
-		goto error;
-	}
-
 	/* translate common spi framework into our register */
 	if (spi->mode & ~(SPI_CPOL | SPI_CPHA | SPI_LSB_FIRST)) {
 		dev_err(&spi->dev, "unsupported spi modes detected\n");
@@ -1299,7 +1288,7 @@ static int bfin_spi_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 
 	/* the spi->mode bits supported by this driver: */
 	master->mode_bits = SPI_CPOL | SPI_CPHA | SPI_LSB_FIRST;
-
+	master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_MASK(8) | SPI_BPW_MASK(16);
 	master->bus_num = pdev->id;
 	master->num_chipselect = platform_info->num_chipselect;
 	master->cleanup = bfin_spi_cleanup;
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-clps711x.c b/drivers/spi/spi-clps711x.c
index a11cbf0..e322b5b 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-clps711x.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-clps711x.c
@@ -42,12 +42,6 @@ static int spi_clps711x_setup(struct spi_device *spi)
 {
 	struct spi_clps711x_data *hw = spi_master_get_devdata(spi->master);
 
-	if (spi->bits_per_word != 8) {
-		dev_err(&spi->dev, "Unsupported master bus width %i\n",
-			spi->bits_per_word);
-		return -EINVAL;
-	}
-
 	/* We are expect that SPI-device is not selected */
 	gpio_direction_output(hw->chipselect[spi->chip_select],
 			      !(spi->mode & SPI_CS_HIGH));
@@ -190,6 +184,7 @@ static int spi_clps711x_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 
 	master->bus_num = pdev->id;
 	master->mode_bits = SPI_CPHA | SPI_CS_HIGH;
+	master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_MASK(8);
 	master->num_chipselect = pdata->num_chipselect;
 	master->setup = spi_clps711x_setup;
 	master->transfer_one_message = spi_clps711x_transfer_one_message;
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-coldfire-qspi.c b/drivers/spi/spi-coldfire-qspi.c
index 7b5cc9e..9a7db9d 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-coldfire-qspi.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-coldfire-qspi.c
@@ -312,10 +312,7 @@ static int mcfqspi_transfer_one_message(struct spi_master *master,
 		bool cs_high = spi->mode & SPI_CS_HIGH;
 		u16 qmr = MCFQSPI_QMR_MSTR;
 
-		if (t->bits_per_word)
-			qmr |= t->bits_per_word << 10;
-		else
-			qmr |= spi->bits_per_word << 10;
+		qmr |= t->bits_per_word << 10;
 		if (spi->mode & SPI_CPHA)
 			qmr |= MCFQSPI_QMR_CPHA;
 		if (spi->mode & SPI_CPOL)
@@ -377,11 +374,6 @@ static int mcfqspi_unprepare_transfer_hw(struct spi_master *master)
 
 static int mcfqspi_setup(struct spi_device *spi)
 {
-	if ((spi->bits_per_word < 8) || (spi->bits_per_word > 16)) {
-		dev_dbg(&spi->dev, "%d bits per word is not supported\n",
-			spi->bits_per_word);
-		return -EINVAL;
-	}
 	if (spi->chip_select >= spi->master->num_chipselect) {
 		dev_dbg(&spi->dev, "%d chip select is out of range\n",
 			spi->chip_select);
@@ -477,6 +469,7 @@ static int mcfqspi_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 	mcfqspi->dev = &pdev->dev;
 
 	master->mode_bits = SPI_CS_HIGH | SPI_CPOL | SPI_CPHA;
+	master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_RANGE_MASK(8, 16);
 	master->setup = mcfqspi_setup;
 	master->transfer_one_message = mcfqspi_transfer_one_message;
 	master->prepare_transfer_hardware = mcfqspi_prepare_transfer_hw;
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-davinci.c b/drivers/spi/spi-davinci.c
index 50b13c9..b141ef2 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-davinci.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-davinci.c
@@ -299,16 +299,15 @@ static int davinci_spi_setup_transfer(struct spi_device *spi,
 	 * Assign function pointer to appropriate transfer method
 	 * 8bit, 16bit or 32bit transfer
 	 */
-	if (bits_per_word <= 8 && bits_per_word >= 2) {
+	if (bits_per_word <= 8) {
 		dspi->get_rx = davinci_spi_rx_buf_u8;
 		dspi->get_tx = davinci_spi_tx_buf_u8;
 		dspi->bytes_per_word[spi->chip_select] = 1;
-	} else if (bits_per_word <= 16 && bits_per_word >= 2) {
+	} else {
 		dspi->get_rx = davinci_spi_rx_buf_u16;
 		dspi->get_tx = davinci_spi_tx_buf_u16;
 		dspi->bytes_per_word[spi->chip_select] = 2;
-	} else
-		return -EINVAL;
+	}
 
 	if (!hz)
 		hz = spi->max_speed_hz;
@@ -933,6 +932,7 @@ static int davinci_spi_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 	master->dev.of_node = pdev->dev.of_node;
 	master->bus_num = pdev->id;
 	master->num_chipselect = pdata->num_chipselect;
+	master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_RANGE_MASK(2, 16);
 	master->setup = davinci_spi_setup;
 
 	dspi->bitbang.chipselect = davinci_spi_chipselect;
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-dw.c b/drivers/spi/spi-dw.c
index c1abc06..79c958e 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-dw.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-dw.c
@@ -457,19 +457,7 @@ static void pump_transfers(unsigned long data)
 	}
 	if (transfer->bits_per_word) {
 		bits = transfer->bits_per_word;
-
-		switch (bits) {
-		case 8:
-		case 16:
-			dws->n_bytes = dws->dma_width = bits >> 3;
-			break;
-		default:
-			printk(KERN_ERR "MRST SPI0: unsupported bits:"
-				"%db\n", bits);
-			message->status = -EIO;
-			goto early_exit;
-		}
-
+		dws->n_bytes = dws->dma_width = bits >> 3;
 		cr0 = (bits - 1)
 			| (chip->type << SPI_FRF_OFFSET)
 			| (spi->mode << SPI_MODE_OFFSET)
@@ -629,9 +617,6 @@ static int dw_spi_setup(struct spi_device *spi)
 	struct dw_spi_chip *chip_info = NULL;
 	struct chip_data *chip;
 
-	if (spi->bits_per_word != 8 && spi->bits_per_word != 16)
-		return -EINVAL;
-
 	/* Only alloc on first setup */
 	chip = spi_get_ctldata(spi);
 	if (!chip) {
@@ -660,16 +645,12 @@ static int dw_spi_setup(struct spi_device *spi)
 		chip->enable_dma = chip_info->enable_dma;
 	}
 
-	if (spi->bits_per_word <= 8) {
+	if (spi->bits_per_word == 8) {
 		chip->n_bytes = 1;
 		chip->dma_width = 1;
-	} else if (spi->bits_per_word <= 16) {
+	} else if (spi->bits_per_word == 16) {
 		chip->n_bytes = 2;
 		chip->dma_width = 2;
-	} else {
-		/* Never take >16b case for MRST SPIC */
-		dev_err(&spi->dev, "invalid wordsize\n");
-		return -EINVAL;
 	}
 	chip->bits_per_word = spi->bits_per_word;
 
@@ -824,6 +805,7 @@ int dw_spi_add_host(struct dw_spi *dws)
 	}
 
 	master->mode_bits = SPI_CPOL | SPI_CPHA;
+	master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_MASK(8) | SPI_BPW_MASK(16);
 	master->bus_num = dws->bus_num;
 	master->num_chipselect = dws->num_cs;
 	master->cleanup = dw_spi_cleanup;
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-ep93xx.c b/drivers/spi/spi-ep93xx.c
index d7bac60..f1b1497 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-ep93xx.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-ep93xx.c
@@ -296,12 +296,6 @@ static int ep93xx_spi_setup(struct spi_device *spi)
 	struct ep93xx_spi *espi = spi_master_get_devdata(spi->master);
 	struct ep93xx_spi_chip *chip;
 
-	if (spi->bits_per_word < 4 || spi->bits_per_word > 16) {
-		dev_err(&espi->pdev->dev, "invalid bits per word %d\n",
-			spi->bits_per_word);
-		return -EINVAL;
-	}
-
 	chip = spi_get_ctldata(spi);
 	if (!chip) {
 		dev_dbg(&espi->pdev->dev, "initial setup for %s\n",
@@ -365,10 +359,6 @@ static int ep93xx_spi_transfer(struct spi_device *spi, struct spi_message *msg)
 
 	/* first validate each transfer */
 	list_for_each_entry(t, &msg->transfers, transfer_list) {
-		if (t->bits_per_word) {
-			if (t->bits_per_word < 4 || t->bits_per_word > 16)
-				return -EINVAL;
-		}
 		if (t->speed_hz && t->speed_hz < espi->min_rate)
 				return -EINVAL;
 	}
@@ -1046,6 +1036,7 @@ static int ep93xx_spi_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 	master->bus_num = pdev->id;
 	master->num_chipselect = info->num_chipselect;
 	master->mode_bits = SPI_CPOL | SPI_CPHA | SPI_CS_HIGH;
+	master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_RANGE_MASK(4, 16);
 
 	platform_set_drvdata(pdev, master);
 
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-fsl-espi.c b/drivers/spi/spi-fsl-espi.c
index 24610ca..0ef05f1 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-fsl-espi.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-fsl-espi.c
@@ -144,10 +144,6 @@ static int fsl_espi_setup_transfer(struct spi_device *spi,
 	if (!bits_per_word)
 		bits_per_word = spi->bits_per_word;
 
-	/* Make sure its a bit width we support [4..16] */
-	if ((bits_per_word < 4) || (bits_per_word > 16))
-		return -EINVAL;
-
 	if (!hz)
 		hz = spi->max_speed_hz;
 
@@ -157,12 +153,10 @@ static int fsl_espi_setup_transfer(struct spi_device *spi,
 	cs->get_tx = mpc8xxx_spi_tx_buf_u32;
 	if (bits_per_word <= 8) {
 		cs->rx_shift = 8 - bits_per_word;
-	} else if (bits_per_word <= 16) {
+	} else
 		cs->rx_shift = 16 - bits_per_word;
 		if (spi->mode & SPI_LSB_FIRST)
 			cs->get_tx = fsl_espi_tx_buf_lsb;
-	} else {
-		return -EINVAL;
 	}
 
 	mpc8xxx_spi->rx_shift = cs->rx_shift;
@@ -609,6 +603,7 @@ static struct spi_master * fsl_espi_probe(struct device *dev,
 	if (ret)
 		goto err_probe;
 
+	master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_RANGE_MASK(4, 16);
 	master->setup = fsl_espi_setup;
 
 	mpc8xxx_spi = spi_master_get_devdata(master);
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-gpio.c b/drivers/spi/spi-gpio.c
index 0021fc4..a7801a8 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-gpio.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-gpio.c
@@ -239,9 +239,6 @@ static int spi_gpio_setup(struct spi_device *spi)
 	struct spi_gpio		*spi_gpio = spi_to_spi_gpio(spi);
 	struct device_node	*np = spi->master->dev.of_node;
 
-	if (spi->bits_per_word > 32)
-		return -EINVAL;
-
 	if (np) {
 		/*
 		 * In DT environments, the CS GPIOs have already been
@@ -446,6 +443,7 @@ static int spi_gpio_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 	if (pdata)
 		spi_gpio->pdata = *pdata;
 
+	master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_RANGE_MASK(1, 32);
 	master->flags = master_flags;
 	master->bus_num = pdev->id;
 	master->num_chipselect = SPI_N_CHIPSEL;
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-imx.c b/drivers/spi/spi-imx.c
index 0befeeb..cb88eeb 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-imx.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-imx.c
@@ -698,11 +698,10 @@ static int spi_imx_setupxfer(struct spi_device *spi,
 	} else if (config.bpw <= 16) {
 		spi_imx->rx = spi_imx_buf_rx_u16;
 		spi_imx->tx = spi_imx_buf_tx_u16;
-	} else if (config.bpw <= 32) {
+	}
 		spi_imx->rx = spi_imx_buf_rx_u32;
 		spi_imx->tx = spi_imx_buf_tx_u32;
-	} else
-		BUG();
+	}
 
 	spi_imx->devtype_data->config(spi_imx, &config);
 
@@ -783,6 +782,7 @@ static int spi_imx_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 
 	platform_set_drvdata(pdev, master);
 
+	master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_RANGE_MASK(1, 32);
 	master->bus_num = pdev->id;
 	master->num_chipselect = num_cs;
 
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-mxs.c b/drivers/spi/spi-mxs.c
index 8498276..62b7e8e 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-mxs.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-mxs.c
@@ -75,12 +75,6 @@ static int mxs_spi_setup_transfer(struct spi_device *dev,
 	if (t && t->bits_per_word)
 		bits_per_word = t->bits_per_word;
 
-	if (bits_per_word != 8) {
-		dev_err(&dev->dev, "%s, unsupported bits_per_word=%d\n",
-					__func__, bits_per_word);
-		return -EINVAL;
-	}
-
 	hz = dev->max_speed_hz;
 	if (t && t->speed_hz)
 		hz = min(hz, t->speed_hz);
@@ -548,6 +542,7 @@ static int mxs_spi_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 
 	master->transfer_one_message = mxs_spi_transfer_one;
 	master->setup = mxs_spi_setup;
+	master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_MASK(8);
 	master->mode_bits = SPI_CPOL | SPI_CPHA;
 	master->num_chipselect = 3;
 	master->dev.of_node = np;
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-nuc900.c b/drivers/spi/spi-nuc900.c
index b3f9ec8..94efa2c 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-nuc900.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-nuc900.c
@@ -174,17 +174,6 @@ static void nuc900_spi_gobusy(struct nuc900_spi *hw)
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&hw->lock, flags);
 }
 
-static int nuc900_spi_setupxfer(struct spi_device *spi,
-				 struct spi_transfer *t)
-{
-	return 0;
-}
-
-static int nuc900_spi_setup(struct spi_device *spi)
-{
-	return 0;
-}
-
 static inline unsigned int hw_txbyte(struct nuc900_spi *hw, int count)
 {
 	return hw->tx ? hw->tx[count] : 0;
@@ -377,10 +366,8 @@ static int nuc900_spi_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 	master->num_chipselect     = hw->pdata->num_cs;
 	master->bus_num            = hw->pdata->bus_num;
 	hw->bitbang.master         = hw->master;
-	hw->bitbang.setup_transfer = nuc900_spi_setupxfer;
 	hw->bitbang.chipselect     = nuc900_spi_chipsel;
 	hw->bitbang.txrx_bufs      = nuc900_spi_txrx;
-	hw->bitbang.master->setup  = nuc900_spi_setup;
 
 	hw->res = platform_get_resource(pdev, IORESOURCE_MEM, 0);
 	if (hw->res == NULL) {
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-omap-100k.c b/drivers/spi/spi-omap-100k.c
index 78d29a1..9137fcc 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-omap-100k.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-omap-100k.c
@@ -298,12 +298,6 @@ static int omap1_spi100k_setup(struct spi_device *spi)
 	struct omap1_spi100k    *spi100k;
 	struct omap1_spi100k_cs *cs = spi->controller_state;
 
-	if (spi->bits_per_word < 4 || spi->bits_per_word > 32) {
-		 dev_dbg(&spi->dev, "setup: unsupported %d bit words\n",
-			spi->bits_per_word);
-		 return -EINVAL;
-	}
-
 	spi100k = spi_master_get_devdata(spi->master);
 
 	if (!cs) {
@@ -451,10 +445,7 @@ static int omap1_spi100k_transfer(struct spi_device *spi, struct spi_message *m)
 		unsigned        len = t->len;
 
 		if (t->speed_hz > OMAP1_SPI100K_MAX_FREQ
-				|| (len && !(rx_buf || tx_buf))
-				|| (t->bits_per_word &&
-					(  t->bits_per_word < 4
-					|| t->bits_per_word > 32))) {
+				|| (len && !(rx_buf || tx_buf))) {
 			dev_dbg(&spi->dev, "transfer: %d Hz, %d %s%s, %d bpw\n",
 					t->speed_hz,
 					len,
@@ -509,6 +500,7 @@ static int omap1_spi100k_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 	master->cleanup = NULL;
 	master->num_chipselect = 2;
 	master->mode_bits = MODEBITS;
+	master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_RANGE_MASK(4, 32);
 
 	dev_set_drvdata(&pdev->dev, master);
 
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-omap2-mcspi.c b/drivers/spi/spi-omap2-mcspi.c
index 86d2158..6246fb4 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-omap2-mcspi.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-omap2-mcspi.c
@@ -857,12 +857,6 @@ static int omap2_mcspi_setup(struct spi_device *spi)
 	struct omap2_mcspi_dma	*mcspi_dma;
 	struct omap2_mcspi_cs	*cs = spi->controller_state;
 
-	if (spi->bits_per_word < 4 || spi->bits_per_word > 32) {
-		dev_dbg(&spi->dev, "setup: unsupported %d bit words\n",
-			spi->bits_per_word);
-		return -EINVAL;
-	}
-
 	mcspi_dma = &mcspi->dma_channels[spi->chip_select];
 
 	if (!cs) {
@@ -1072,10 +1066,7 @@ static int omap2_mcspi_transfer_one_message(struct spi_master *master,
 		unsigned	len = t->len;
 
 		if (t->speed_hz > OMAP2_MCSPI_MAX_FREQ
-				|| (len && !(rx_buf || tx_buf))
-				|| (t->bits_per_word &&
-					(  t->bits_per_word < 4
-					   || t->bits_per_word > 32))) {
+				|| (len && !(rx_buf || tx_buf))) {
 			dev_dbg(mcspi->dev, "transfer: %d Hz, %d %s%s, %d bpw\n",
 					t->speed_hz,
 					len,
@@ -1196,7 +1187,7 @@ static int omap2_mcspi_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 
 	/* the spi->mode bits understood by this driver: */
 	master->mode_bits = SPI_CPOL | SPI_CPHA | SPI_CS_HIGH;
-
+	master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_RANGE_MASK(4, 32);
 	master->setup = omap2_mcspi_setup;
 	master->prepare_transfer_hardware = omap2_prepare_transfer;
 	master->unprepare_transfer_hardware = omap2_unprepare_transfer;
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-ppc4xx.c b/drivers/spi/spi-ppc4xx.c
index 357f183..01df34b 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-ppc4xx.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-ppc4xx.c
@@ -190,12 +190,6 @@ static int spi_ppc4xx_setupxfer(struct spi_device *spi, struct spi_transfer *t)
 			speed = min(t->speed_hz, spi->max_speed_hz);
 	}
 
-	if (bits_per_word != 8) {
-		dev_err(&spi->dev, "invalid bits-per-word (%d)\n",
-				bits_per_word);
-		return -EINVAL;
-	}
-
 	if (!speed || (speed > spi->max_speed_hz)) {
 		dev_err(&spi->dev, "invalid speed_hz (%d)\n", speed);
 		return -EINVAL;
@@ -229,12 +223,6 @@ static int spi_ppc4xx_setup(struct spi_device *spi)
 {
 	struct spi_ppc4xx_cs *cs = spi->controller_state;
 
-	if (spi->bits_per_word != 8) {
-		dev_err(&spi->dev, "invalid bits-per-word (%d)\n",
-			spi->bits_per_word);
-		return -EINVAL;
-	}
-
 	if (!spi->max_speed_hz) {
 		dev_err(&spi->dev, "invalid max_speed_hz (must be non-zero)\n");
 		return -EINVAL;
@@ -465,6 +453,7 @@ static int spi_ppc4xx_of_probe(struct platform_device *op)
 	bbp->use_dma = 0;
 	bbp->master->setup = spi_ppc4xx_setup;
 	bbp->master->cleanup = spi_ppc4xx_cleanup;
+	bbp->master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_MASK(8);
 
 	/* the spi->mode bits understood by this driver: */
 	bbp->master->mode_bits =
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-pxa2xx.c b/drivers/spi/spi-pxa2xx.c
index f5d84d6..7de2ca1 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-pxa2xx.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-pxa2xx.c
@@ -881,21 +881,6 @@ static int setup(struct spi_device *spi)
 		rx_thres = RX_THRESH_DFLT;
 	}
 
-	if (!pxa25x_ssp_comp(drv_data)
-		&& (spi->bits_per_word < 4 || spi->bits_per_word > 32)) {
-		dev_err(&spi->dev, "failed setup: ssp_type=%d, bits/wrd=%d "
-				"b/w not 4-32 for type non-PXA25x_SSP\n",
-				drv_data->ssp_type, spi->bits_per_word);
-		return -EINVAL;
-	} else if (pxa25x_ssp_comp(drv_data)
-			&& (spi->bits_per_word < 4
-				|| spi->bits_per_word > 16)) {
-		dev_err(&spi->dev, "failed setup: ssp_type=%d, bits/wrd=%d "
-				"b/w not 4-16 for type PXA25x_SSP\n",
-				drv_data->ssp_type, spi->bits_per_word);
-		return -EINVAL;
-	}
-
 	/* Only alloc on first setup */
 	chip = spi_get_ctldata(spi);
 	if (!chip) {
@@ -1011,9 +996,6 @@ static int setup(struct spi_device *spi)
 		chip->n_bytes = 4;
 		chip->read = u32_reader;
 		chip->write = u32_writer;
-	} else {
-		dev_err(&spi->dev, "invalid wordsize\n");
-		return -ENODEV;
 	}
 	chip->bits_per_word = spi->bits_per_word;
 
@@ -1190,11 +1172,13 @@ static int pxa2xx_spi_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 	drv_data->ioaddr = ssp->mmio_base;
 	drv_data->ssdr_physical = ssp->phys_base + SSDR;
 	if (pxa25x_ssp_comp(drv_data)) {
+		master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_RANGE_MASK(4, 16);
 		drv_data->int_cr1 = SSCR1_TIE | SSCR1_RIE;
 		drv_data->dma_cr1 = 0;
 		drv_data->clear_sr = SSSR_ROR;
 		drv_data->mask_sr = SSSR_RFS | SSSR_TFS | SSSR_ROR;
 	} else {
+		master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_RANGE_MASK(4, 32);
 		drv_data->int_cr1 = SSCR1_TIE | SSCR1_RIE | SSCR1_TINTE;
 		drv_data->dma_cr1 = DEFAULT_DMA_CR1;
 		drv_data->clear_sr = SSSR_ROR | SSSR_TINT;
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-s3c64xx.c b/drivers/spi/spi-s3c64xx.c
index 5000586..39a3824 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-s3c64xx.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-s3c64xx.c
@@ -1314,7 +1314,8 @@ static int s3c64xx_spi_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 	master->unprepare_transfer_hardware = s3c64xx_spi_unprepare_transfer;
 	master->num_chipselect = sci->num_cs;
 	master->dma_alignment = 8;
-	master->bits_per_word_mask = BIT(32 - 1) | BIT(16 - 1) | BIT(8 - 1);
+	master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_MASK(32) | SPI_BPW_MASK(16) |
+					SPI_BPW_MASK(8);
 	/* the spi->mode bits understood by this driver: */
 	master->mode_bits = SPI_CPOL | SPI_CPHA | SPI_CS_HIGH;
 
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-sirf.c b/drivers/spi/spi-sirf.c
index 0808cd5..77497be 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-sirf.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-sirf.c
@@ -425,10 +425,6 @@ spi_sirfsoc_setup_transfer(struct spi_device *spi, struct spi_transfer *t)
 		rxfifo_ctrl = SIRFSOC_SPI_FIFO_THD(SIRFSOC_SPI_FIFO_SIZE / 2) |
 					SIRFSOC_SPI_FIFO_WIDTH_DWORD;
 		break;
-	default:
-		dev_err(&spi->dev, "Bits per word %d not supported\n",
-		       bits_per_word);
-		return -EINVAL;
 	}
 
 	if (!(spi->mode & SPI_CS_HIGH))
@@ -556,6 +552,8 @@ static int spi_sirfsoc_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 	sspi->bitbang.txrx_bufs = spi_sirfsoc_transfer;
 	sspi->bitbang.master->setup = spi_sirfsoc_setup;
 	master->bus_num = pdev->id;
+	master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_MASK(8) | SPI_BPW_MASK(12) |
+					SPI_BPW_MASK(16) | SPI_BPW_MASK(32);
 	sspi->bitbang.master->dev.of_node = pdev->dev.of_node;
 
 	sspi->p = pinctrl_get_select_default(&pdev->dev);
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-ti-ssp.c b/drivers/spi/spi-ti-ssp.c
index 46992ca..10606fc 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-ti-ssp.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-ti-ssp.c
@@ -237,14 +237,6 @@ static void ti_ssp_spi_work(struct work_struct *work)
 	spin_unlock(&hw->lock);
 }
 
-static int ti_ssp_spi_setup(struct spi_device *spi)
-{
-	if (spi->bits_per_word > 32)
-		return -EINVAL;
-
-	return 0;
-}
-
 static int ti_ssp_spi_transfer(struct spi_device *spi, struct spi_message *m)
 {
 	struct ti_ssp_spi	*hw;
@@ -269,12 +261,6 @@ static int ti_ssp_spi_transfer(struct spi_device *spi, struct spi_message *m)
 			dev_err(&spi->dev, "invalid xfer, full duplex\n");
 			return -EINVAL;
 		}
-
-		if (t->bits_per_word > 32) {
-			dev_err(&spi->dev, "invalid xfer width %d\n",
-				t->bits_per_word);
-			return -EINVAL;
-		}
 	}
 
 	spin_lock(&hw->lock);
@@ -337,8 +323,8 @@ static int ti_ssp_spi_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 	master->bus_num		= pdev->id;
 	master->num_chipselect	= pdata->num_cs;
 	master->mode_bits	= MODE_BITS;
+	master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_RANGE_MASK(1, 32);
 	master->flags		= SPI_MASTER_HALF_DUPLEX;
-	master->setup		= ti_ssp_spi_setup;
 	master->transfer	= ti_ssp_spi_transfer;
 
 	error = spi_register_master(master);
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-topcliff-pch.c b/drivers/spi/spi-topcliff-pch.c
index 35f60bd..15cb39b 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-topcliff-pch.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-topcliff-pch.c
@@ -472,11 +472,6 @@ static int pch_spi_setup(struct spi_device *pspi)
 		dev_dbg(&pspi->dev, "%s 8 bits per word\n", __func__);
 	}
 
-	if ((pspi->bits_per_word != 8) && (pspi->bits_per_word != 16)) {
-		dev_err(&pspi->dev, "%s Invalid bits per word\n", __func__);
-		return -EINVAL;
-	}
-
 	/* Check baud rate setting */
 	/* if baud rate of chip is greater than
 	   max we can support,return error */
@@ -537,17 +532,6 @@ static int pch_spi_transfer(struct spi_device *pspi, struct spi_message *pmsg)
 		/* if baud rate has been specified validate the same */
 		if (transfer->speed_hz > PCH_MAX_BAUDRATE)
 			transfer->speed_hz = PCH_MAX_BAUDRATE;
-
-		/* if bits per word has been specified validate the same */
-		if (transfer->bits_per_word) {
-			if ((transfer->bits_per_word != 8)
-			    && (transfer->bits_per_word != 16)) {
-				retval = -EINVAL;
-				dev_err(&pspi->dev,
-					"%s Invalid bits per word\n", __func__);
-				goto err_return_spinlock;
-			}
-		}
 	}
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&data->lock, flags);
 
@@ -1442,6 +1426,7 @@ static int pch_spi_pd_probe(struct platform_device *plat_dev)
 	master->setup = pch_spi_setup;
 	master->transfer = pch_spi_transfer;
 	master->mode_bits = SPI_CPOL | SPI_CPHA | SPI_LSB_FIRST;
+	master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_MASK(8) | SPI_BPW_MASK(16);
 
 	data->board_dat = board_dat;
 	data->plat_dev = plat_dev;
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-txx9.c b/drivers/spi/spi-txx9.c
index adb8530..cefd956 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-txx9.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-txx9.c
@@ -116,17 +116,12 @@ static void txx9spi_cs_func(struct spi_device *spi, struct txx9spi *c,
 static int txx9spi_setup(struct spi_device *spi)
 {
 	struct txx9spi *c = spi_master_get_devdata(spi->master);
-	u8 bits_per_word;
 
 	if (!spi->max_speed_hz
 			|| spi->max_speed_hz > c->max_speed_hz
 			|| spi->max_speed_hz < c->min_speed_hz)
 		return -EINVAL;
 
-	bits_per_word = spi->bits_per_word;
-	if (bits_per_word != 8 && bits_per_word != 16)
-		return -EINVAL;
-
 	if (gpio_direction_output(spi->chip_select,
 			!(spi->mode & SPI_CS_HIGH))) {
 		dev_err(&spi->dev, "Cannot setup GPIO for chipselect.\n");
@@ -319,8 +314,6 @@ static int txx9spi_transfer(struct spi_device *spi, struct spi_message *m)
 
 		if (!t->tx_buf && !t->rx_buf && t->len)
 			return -EINVAL;
-		if (bits_per_word != 8 && bits_per_word != 16)
-			return -EINVAL;
 		if (t->len & ((bits_per_word >> 3) - 1))
 			return -EINVAL;
 		if (speed_hz < c->min_speed_hz || speed_hz > c->max_speed_hz)
@@ -411,6 +404,7 @@ static int txx9spi_probe(struct platform_device *dev)
 	master->setup = txx9spi_setup;
 	master->transfer = txx9spi_transfer;
 	master->num_chipselect = (u16)UINT_MAX; /* any GPIO numbers */
+	master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_MASK(8) | SPI_BPW_MASK(16);
 
 	ret = spi_register_master(master);
 	if (ret)
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-xcomm.c b/drivers/spi/spi-xcomm.c
index 4d3ec8b..4258c71 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-xcomm.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-xcomm.c
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ static int spi_xcomm_setup_transfer(struct spi_xcomm *spi_xcomm,
 {
 	unsigned int speed;
 
-	if ((t->bits_per_word && t->bits_per_word != 8) || t->len > 62)
+	if (t->len > 62)
 		return -EINVAL;
 
 	speed = t->speed_hz ? t->speed_hz : spi->max_speed_hz;
@@ -209,14 +209,6 @@ static int spi_xcomm_transfer_one(struct spi_master *master,
 	return status;
 }
 
-static int spi_xcomm_setup(struct spi_device *spi)
-{
-	if (spi->bits_per_word != 8)
-		return -EINVAL;
-
-	return 0;
-}
-
 static int spi_xcomm_probe(struct i2c_client *i2c,
 	const struct i2c_device_id *id)
 {
@@ -233,8 +225,8 @@ static int spi_xcomm_probe(struct i2c_client *i2c,
 
 	master->num_chipselect = 16;
 	master->mode_bits = SPI_CPHA | SPI_CPOL | SPI_3WIRE;
+	master->bits_per_word_mask = SPI_BPW_MASK(8);
 	master->flags = SPI_MASTER_HALF_DUPLEX;
-	master->setup = spi_xcomm_setup;
 	master->transfer_one_message = spi_xcomm_transfer_one;
 	master->dev.of_node = i2c->dev.of_node;
 	i2c_set_clientdata(i2c, master);
diff --git a/drivers/spi/spi-xilinx.c b/drivers/spi/spi-xilinx.c
index e1d7696..f321bf9 100644
--- a/drivers/spi/spi-xilinx.c
+++ b/drivers/spi/spi-xilinx.c
@@ -232,21 +232,6 @@ static int xilinx_spi_setup_transfer(struct spi_device *spi,
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int xilinx_spi_setup(struct spi_device *spi)
-{
-	/* always return 0, we can not check the number of bits.
-	 * There are cases when SPI setup is called before any driver is
-	 * there, in that case the SPI core defaults to 8 bits, which we
-	 * do not support in some cases. But if we return an error, the
-	 * SPI device would not be registered and no driver can get hold of it
-	 * When the driver is there, it will call SPI setup again with the
-	 * correct number of bits per transfer.
-	 * If a driver setups with the wrong bit number, it will fail when
-	 * it tries to do a transfer
-	 */
-	return 0;
-}
-
 static void xilinx_spi_fill_tx_fifo(struct xilinx_spi *xspi)
 {
 	u8 sr;
@@ -377,7 +362,6 @@ struct spi_master *xilinx_spi_init(struct device *dev, struct resource *mem,
 	xspi->bitbang.chipselect = xilinx_spi_chipselect;
 	xspi->bitbang.setup_transfer = xilinx_spi_setup_transfer;
 	xspi->bitbang.txrx_bufs = xilinx_spi_txrx_bufs;
-	xspi->bitbang.master->setup = xilinx_spi_setup;
 	init_completion(&xspi->done);
 
 	if (!request_mem_region(mem->start, resource_size(mem),
