diff --git a/main/config.h b/main/config.h
index 8978f51..1b2b5d6 100644
--- a/main/config.h
+++ b/main/config.h
@@ -121,6 +121,10 @@
 // max target length that can be selected using potentiometer (SET button)
 #define MAX_SELECTABLE_LENGTH_POTI_MM 100000
 
+// calculate new winding width each time target length changes, according to custom thresholds defined in guide-stepper.cpp
+// if not defined, winding width is always GUIDE_MAX_MM even for short lengths
+#define DYNAMIC_WINDING_WIDTH_ENABLED
+
 
 //--------------------------
 //------ calibration -------
diff --git a/main/control.cpp b/main/control.cpp
index b971a8c..278c4da 100644
--- a/main/control.cpp
+++ b/main/control.cpp
@@ -161,6 +161,9 @@ void task_control(void *pvParameter)
     //currently show name and date and scrolling 'hello'
     display_ShowWelcomeMsg(two7SegDisplays);
 
+    //-- set initial winding width for default length --
+    guide_setWindingWidth(guide_targetLength2WindingWidth(lengthTarget));
+
     // ##############################
     // ######## control loop ########
     // ##############################
@@ -309,6 +312,7 @@ void task_control(void *pvParameter)
             if (lengthTargetNew != lengthTarget) {
                 //TODO update lengthTarget only at button release?
                 lengthTarget = lengthTargetNew;
+                guide_setWindingWidth(guide_targetLength2WindingWidth(lengthTarget));
                 ESP_LOGI(TAG, "Changed target length to %d mm", lengthTarget);
                 buzzer.beep(1, 25, 10);
             }
@@ -327,16 +331,19 @@ void task_control(void *pvParameter)
         if (controlState != systemState_t::MANUAL && SW_SET.state == false) { //dont apply preset length while controlling motor with preset buttons
             if (SW_PRESET1.risingEdge) {
                 lengthTarget = 5000;
+                guide_setWindingWidth(guide_targetLength2WindingWidth(lengthTarget));
                 buzzer.beep(lengthTarget/1000, 25, 30);
                 displayBot.blink(2, 100, 100, "S0LL    ");
             }
             else if (SW_PRESET2.risingEdge) {
                 lengthTarget = 10000;
+                guide_setWindingWidth(guide_targetLength2WindingWidth(lengthTarget));
                 buzzer.beep(lengthTarget/1000, 25, 30);
                 displayBot.blink(2, 100, 100, "S0LL    ");
             }
             else if (SW_PRESET3.risingEdge) {
                 lengthTarget = 15000;
+                guide_setWindingWidth(guide_targetLength2WindingWidth(lengthTarget));
                 buzzer.beep(lengthTarget/1000, 25, 30);
                 displayBot.blink(2, 100, 100, "S0LL    ");
             }
@@ -512,7 +519,7 @@ void task_control(void *pvParameter)
         }
         //setting winding width: blink info message
         else if (SW_SET.state && SW_PRESET1.state){
-            displayTop.blinkStrings("SET.WIND", " WIDTH  ", 900, 900);
+            displayTop.blinkStrings("SET WIND", " WIDTH  ", 900, 900);
         }
         //otherwise show current position
         else {
diff --git a/main/guide-stepper.cpp b/main/guide-stepper.cpp
index 1fa5e69..807ca4a 100644
--- a/main/guide-stepper.cpp
+++ b/main/guide-stepper.cpp
@@ -92,6 +92,36 @@ void guide_setWindingWidth(uint8_t maxPosMm)
 }
 
 
+//=======================================
+//=== guide_targetLength2WindingWidth ===
+//=======================================
+// calculate dynamic winding width in mm from cable length in mm
+uint8_t guide_targetLength2WindingWidth(int lenMm)
+{
+#ifdef DYNAMIC_WINDING_WIDTH_ENABLED
+    uint8_t width;
+    //--- config ---
+    // define thresholds for winding widths according to target length:
+    if (lenMm <= 5000) // 0-5m
+        width = 15;
+    else if (lenMm <= 10000) // 6-10m
+        width = 25;
+    else if (lenMm <= 15000) // 11-15m
+        width = 30;
+    else if (lenMm <= 25000) // 16-25m
+        width = 65;
+    else // >25m
+        width = GUIDE_MAX_MM;
+    ESP_LOGW(TAG, "length2width: calculated windingWidth=%dmm from targetLength=%dm", width, lenMm);
+    return width;
+#else
+    ESP_LOGD(TAG, "length2width: dynamic windingWidh not enabled, stay at GUIDE_MAX=%d", GUIDE_MAX_MM);
+    return GUIDE_MAX_MM;
+#endif
+//TODO update winding width here as well already?
+}
+
+
 //=============================
 //=== guide_getWindingWidth ===
 //=============================
diff --git a/main/guide-stepper.hpp b/main/guide-stepper.hpp
index dc1ecbf..b4d513a 100644
--- a/main/guide-stepper.hpp
+++ b/main/guide-stepper.hpp
@@ -24,4 +24,7 @@ int guide_getAxisPosSteps();
 void guide_setWindingWidth(uint8_t maxPosMm);
 
 // get currently configured winding width (axis position the guide returns in mm)
-uint8_t guide_getWindingWidth();
\ No newline at end of file
+uint8_t guide_getWindingWidth();
+
+// calculate dynamic winding width in mm from cable length in mm according to fixed thresholds
+uint8_t guide_targetLength2WindingWidth(int lenMm);
\ No newline at end of file