A three‐dimensional viscoelastic‐plastic thermal‐mechanical coupled finite element model was based on the basis of the secondary development of commercial software (MSC, Marc software, USA) to simulation the effect of casting speed on slab broadening in the secondary cooling zone. The results show that the ratio of ultimate broadening increased with increasing casting speed for various steel grades, but the change in broadening lagged that in casting speed. When the casting speeds were 1.0 m/min, 1.1 m/min, and 1.2 m/min for Q235 steel, the maximum ratios of ultimate broadening were 1.52%, 1.59%, and 1.81%, respectively, and the average ratios of ultimate broadening at the exit of the caster were 1.00%, 1.27%, and 1.48%, respectively; for SPHC steel, the maximum ratios of ultimate broadening were 1.34%, 1.44%, and 1.69%, respectively, and the average ratios of ultimate broadening at the exit of the caster were 0.64%, 0.76%, and 0.95%, respectively. The simulation results were verified by measurements on an SMS‐Demag continuous caster of Maanshan Iron and Steel Co. Ltd.; the measurement results agree with the simulation results. The mechanism of the effect of casting speed on slab broadening was also analyzed.