Method and apparatus for identifying the track pitch capability of a recording device, such as but not limited to a recording system and/or a servo control system in a data storage device. In accordance with some embodiments, data are written to first and second tracks at an initial track pitch such that the second track at least partially overlaps the first track. Data are arranged on the first track in code words each having a fixed plurality of bits which are decoded as a group by a data channel. The code words are transferred from the first track to the data channel, and a final track pitch for subsequent tracks is responsive to a distance at which nominally half of the code words are undecodeable by the data channel.