The lithium insertion and extraction dynamics of spinel LiMn 2 O 4 /carbon composite electrodes used in lithium-ion batteries have been investigated. A numerical model has been developed which rationalizes these electrodes as a bed of spherical Li 1−δ Mn 2 O 4 particles (0≤δ≤1, depending on the degree of insertion) with carbon as an electrically conducting additive, and with electrolyte filling the pores. It can be concluded from the simulations of potential step (PS) experiments that solid-state diffusion of lithium ions in the Li 1−δ Mn 2 O 4 particles and the electrochemical reaction at the Li 1−δ Mn 2 O 4 particle surfaces are simultaneously rate-determining. Their relative importance depends on the applied overpotential. Further, the diameter of the primary particles rather than that of the primary particle agglomerates was found to be relevant for the dynamics. From the simulations, we could evaluate a value of 2.8×10 −13 cm 2 /s for the solid-state diffusion coefficient of lithium in Li 1−δ Mn 2 O 4 particles, a value of 5.5×10 −8 cm/s for the standard heterogeneous rate constant, and a value of 0.30 for the transfer coefficient α.