The present work simulates the transformation of austenite to ferrite with mixed-mode in a simplified austenitic grain geometry. The quantitative phase-field model, developed on the basis of non-local equilibrium at the interface, simulates the transformation. The present work reveals that the soft-impingement takes place much earlier than has been so far considered. The accumulation of carbon in and around the meeting point of the diffusion layers is not continuous, and a detailed mechanism of soft-impingement is presented here. The growth of ferrite under mixed-mode of transformation is analyzed and found to be consistent with the theory. © 2017, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society and ASM International.