A host device and memory device perform internal write leveling of a data strobe with a write command. The memory device includes an input-output interface that receives the data strobe from the host device. The memory device also includes internal write circuitry configured to launch an internal write signal. The internal write circuitry includes an emulation loop configured to emulate circuitry in a clock path of a write clock generated from the clock and used to generate a feedback clock. The internal write circuitry includes a write delay lock loop configured to receive the write clock and the feedback clock to determine a number of cycles used for the loop, transmit the number of cycles to the host device to be used as a cycle adjust in an internal write leveling process, and complete the internal write leveling process with the host device using the cycle adjust.