diff --git a/src/bits.h b/src/bits.h
index de65c93..62aaf27 100644
--- a/src/bits.h
+++ b/src/bits.h
@@ -291,10 +291,20 @@ LC3_HOT static inline unsigned lc3_get_symbol(
 
     if (ac->low < range * symbols[s].low) {
         s >>= 1;
+#if LC3_FAST_UDIV
+        /* low < range * L  <=>  low / range < L : one division
+         * instead of a dependent multiply at every probe */
+        unsigned q = ac->low / range;
+        s -= q < symbols[s].low ? 4 : -4;
+        s -= q < symbols[s].low ? 2 : -2;
+        s -= q < symbols[s].low ? 1 : -1;
+        s -= q < symbols[s].low;
+#else
         s -= ac->low < range * symbols[s].low ? 4 : -4;
         s -= ac->low < range * symbols[s].low ? 2 : -2;
         s -= ac->low < range * symbols[s].low ? 1 : -1;
         s -= ac->low < range * symbols[s].low;
+#endif
     }
 
     ac->low -= range * symbols[s].low;
diff --git a/src/common.h b/src/common.h
index 2b23a8d..4500a3c 100644
--- a/src/common.h
+++ b/src/common.h
@@ -74,6 +74,21 @@
 #endif /* __clang__ */
 
 
+/**
+ * Fast hardware unsigned division
+ * Set on cores where a runtime 32-bit division beats a few dependent
+ * multiplies (x86-64, AArch64). Unset for MCUs and audio DSPs.
+ */
+
+#ifndef LC3_FAST_UDIV
+#if defined(__x86_64__) || defined(__aarch64__) || defined(_M_X64) || defined(_M_ARM64)
+#define LC3_FAST_UDIV 1
+#else
+#define LC3_FAST_UDIV 0
+#endif
+#endif
+
+
 /**
  * Macros
  * MIN/MAX  Minimum and maximum between 2 values