We study the distribution of quantum correlations characterized by monogamy relations in multipartite systems. By using the Hamming weight of the binary vectors associated with the subsystems, we establish a class of monogamy inequalities for multiqubit entanglement based on the $$\alpha $$ α th ($$\alpha \ge 2$$ α≥2 ) power of concurrence, and a class of polygamy inequalities for multiqubit entanglement in terms of the $$\beta $$ β th ($$0\le \beta \le 2$$ 0≤β≤2 ) power of concurrence and concurrence of assistance. Moveover, we give the monogamy and polygamy inequalities for general quantum correlations. Application of these results to quantum correlations like squared convex-roof extended negativity, entanglement of formation and Tsallis-q entanglement gives rise to either tighter inequalities than the existing ones for some classes of quantum states or less restrictions on the quantum states. Detailed examples are presented.