The effect of copper on proeutectoid cementite precipitation was investigated by examining the isothermal transformation characteristics of Fe-C and Fe-C-Cu alloys that had comparable carbon contents. The TTT diagrams generated for the Fe-1.43 wt pct C and the Fe-1.49 wt pct C-4.90 wt pct Cu alloys showed that the kinetics of proeutectoid cementite precipitation were not significantly affected by copper. The morphology of the proeutectoid cementite, as seen in the optical microscope, was also substantially the same in both alloys. However, transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of small epsilon-copper precipitates within the proeutectoid cementite of the copper containing steel. It was concluded that this precipitation of ε-Cu took place at the cementite : austenite interphase boundaries, and that the transport of copper to the precipitates was accomplished by interphase boundary diffusion. The small influence of copper on the kinetics of proeutectoid cementite precipitation is discussed in terms of diffusional growth theories and the structure of the cementite : austenite interphase boundary.