Electrowinning of zinc from zinc chloride solutions, acidified by HCl, was conducted in a cation exchange membrane cell. The current efficiency was correlated with the deposit morphology. The deposits having lesser surface defects, which act as active sites for hydrogen adsorption, exhibited higher current efficiency. The (1 1 0) preferred texture was observed on the deposits grown in high acid solution containing gelatin. High temperature (40 degreesC) and high current density decreased the current efficiency and the preferred texture.