Select the Koch set
Begin with a few learned characters rather than the full alphabet.
Method map · two different controls
Koch and Farnsworth solve different training problems
Koch controls which characters enter your practice and when the set expands. Farnsworth keeps each character brisk but inserts more space between characters and words. They are not rivals—and they work well together.
Public trainer · adjustable character and effective speed
Practical progression
Set the alphabet and the clock separately
Think of two controls on a receiver: Koch selects the material; Farnsworth sets the breathing room around it.
Set character speed
Keep each character quick enough to sound like a complete rhythmic unit.
Set effective speed
Add spacing so there is enough time to recognise and record each character.
Close the gaps
As copy settles, reduce extra spacing and continue expanding the set.
What to listen for
Keep the inside of each character intact
Farnsworth timing changes gaps between characters and words, not the ratio of dits, dahs and intra-character spaces inside a symbol. The character should still sound natural.
- Check that individual characters are not drawn out.
- Use the extra pause to recover, not to replay and count elements.
- Gradually train the rhythm between characters as well as the characters themselves.
FAQ
Koch and Farnsworth questions
Are Koch and Farnsworth the same method?
No. Koch controls character-set expansion; Farnsworth changes spacing around brisk characters.
Can I use Koch and Farnsworth together?
Yes. A small Koch set with Farnsworth spacing is a practical beginner combination.
What does effective speed mean?
It is the overall text rate after extra spacing is counted, so it can be lower than character speed.
When should I reduce Farnsworth spacing?
Reduce it gradually when recognition is stable and long gaps begin to break the flow of words.