The structural characteristics of loose zinc deposits obtained in pulse-potential modes are calculated using a phenomenological model. Increasing the duty cycle leads to intensified anodic dissolution during pauses and obtaining of denser deposits, due to the formation of dendrites with fewer tips, yet, a larger diameter as compared to the deposits obtained in the potentiostatic mode. The linear dependence of the diameter of the tips of dendrites forming a loose zinc deposit on the duty cycle is found. There is a critical time corresponding to the achievement of zero deposit growth rate when the metal deposited during the pulse will completely dissolve during the pause. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd. 2024. ISSN 1023-1935, Russian Journal of Electrochemistry, 2024, Vol. 60, No. 2, pp. 116–128. Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2024.