May 15, 2026 · Morse Team
Farnsworth Timing Explained for Beginners
Farnsworth timing separates character speed from spacing speed. Your dots and dashes play at your target WPM, but pauses between letters and words stretch longer.
This lets beginners recognize letter shapes at full speed while having time to think between characters. It is the method recommended by CW training programs worldwide.
In MorseSpeak, open Configure and set Speed (WPM) higher than Farnsworth Speed. Start at 15 WPM character speed with 5–8 WPM spacing, then gradually close the gap as recognition improves.