A discrete-time mathematical model of K-winners-take-all (KWTA) neural circuit that can quickly identify the K-winning from N neurons, where 1 ⩽ K < N , whose input signals are larger than that of remaining N− K neurons, is given and analyzed. A functional block scheme of the circuit is presented. For N competitors, such circuit is composed of N feedforward and one feedback hard-limiting neurons that are used to determine the dynamic shift of input signals. The circuit has low computational and hardware implementation complexity, high speed of signal processing, can process signals of any finite range, possesses signal order preserving property and does not require resetting and corresponding supervisory circuit that additionally increases a speed of signal processing.