A configurable address generator includes addressing sequence circuitry such as a set of counters. A set of comparators is also preferably included in the configurable address generator in order to detect different addressing conditions (e.g., full, empty, etc.). Coupled to these components is a plurality of programmable bits that allows the address generator to be configured to meet a number of different design requirements. For example, the configurable address generator can be configured as a stack pointer; it can also be configured to provide address generation for FIFO and MAC-based filter circuits, etc.