A digital phase synchronization system in which a received pulse wave is compared in a phase detector with a local pulse wave obtained by frequency dividing the output of a local oscillator. One output of the phase detector is used to control the subtraction or addition of pulses from the local oscillator until phase synchronization is achieved. Another output of the phase detector is used to control the number of pulses which are subtracted or added. The number of pulses subtracted or added is proportional to the phase difference when the phase difference is greater than a predetermined value, and is limited to one or a few pulses when the phase difference is below the predetermined value.