Methods and apparatus for symbol timing recovery are provided. Both a coarse symbol timing recovery method and apparatus, and a fine symbol timing recovery method and apparatus are described which can be used jointly for symbol recovery, for example in phase shift keying receivers. The coarse method involves the use of differential correlations and finding the time difference in peak values of the correlation results. The fine method involves interpolation of a received digital signal, followed by filtering and timing error detection. The error detection signal is further filtered and used to control the interpolator. The methods provide for robust symbol timing synchronization.