The drying rate of Lido medium rough rice was determined at 35, 25, 12 and 5 degreesC at relative humidity varying from 30% to 70% and at two air velocities, 2.5 and 0.75 m/s. The experimental data were fitted to four models: single exponential model, biparametric exponential model, Page model and two term exponential model. The biparametric exponential model and the Page model provided the best fit. However the biparametric exponential model was preferred due to its simplicity of application. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.