<p>This study investigated the dynamic recrystallization behavior of TC21 titanium alloy in the dual-phase region (850–930&#xa0;°C) through thermal compression tests, analyzed the softening mechanism behavior through the stress–strain curve and microstructure, and then calculated the hot deformation activation energy of the material. Kinetics model was established. Dynamic recrystallization simulation was conducted using DEFORM-3D finite element software. The dynamic recrystallization of TC21 titanium alloy occurred in the dual-phase region was revealed by combining microstructure analysis and the value of thermal deformation activation energy. The predicted values of the dynamic recrystallization volume fraction model show a correlation coefficient of 0.967 with experimental values. By comparing grain size, the simulation and experimental results indicated that the grain size error is approximately 10.8%, demonstrating a certain level of reliability for kinetics model. Under the deformation conditions of deformation temperature is 890&#xa0;°C and strain rates of 0.1 and 1&#xa0;s⁻¹, relatively uniform and fine microstructure can be obtained.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>