This paper deals with the propagation characteristics of guided waves in helically-curved rods by meansof the finite element method.First,the coordinate transformation and the two-dimensional fast Fourier transform( 2D-FFT) are employed to process and analyze guided waves.Then,the propagation processes of guided waves inthe helically-curved rods respectively with different diameters and different helix angles are simulated,and theeffects of the diameter and the helix angle on the propagation are described.Finally,the cut-off frequency and themodal separation phenomena occurring in the propagation process are discussed.