Single phase induction motors are traditionally used in constant speed applications and suffer from unsymmetrical performance. A reliable speed signal can improve their performance and extend their applications as variable speed drives. In this paper, a speed estimation method for these motors is proposed based on a machine model in the stator flux reference frame. The method is examined in a sensorless torque optimization system over a wide operating range. Extensive simulation results prove the validity of the proposed method. Also, the motor performance under the torque optimization system is analyzed. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.