A diffusion model was developed to calculate the rate of deposition of metals by a periodically pulsed current. The results indicate that although the magnitude of the instantaneous applied current for deposition can be considerably higher than that of direct current plating under suitable conditions, the limiting over‐all plating rate was in general lower. Experimental confirmation was established using the phosphate, citrate, and cyanide gold solutions. The diffusion coefficient of the complexed gold cyanide ion was measured. The values were , and at 60°C for the phosphate, citrate, and cyanide solutions, respectively. The pH value, specific conductance, and kinematic viscosity of these solutions were also measured and tabulated. The rate of chemical dissolution of gold in the cyanide solution was also investigated.