In this paper, a novel simulation algorithm of switched reluctance motor drives is presented. With the proposed algorithm the two-dimensional (2-D) bicubic spline interpolation is used to describe the nonlinear magnetic characteristics in switched reluctance motors. The corresponding computational method of 2-D bicubic spline function is described in detail. The simulation results are also compared with and validated by experimental data. Compared with conventional techniques, the presented simulation algorithm is more accurate even though it requires relatively little information on the magnetic characteristics of the motor.