This paper presents a relationship for calculating the drag coefficient of a spherical particle. The results obtained were validated using experimental data, including comparison with results from other relationships such as certainty analysis. The validation indicated that the proposed relationship is easier to apply and produces the best results. In addition, a relationship based on the characteristics of both the fluid and the particles was established to calculate directly the settling velocity of a spherical particle in a fluid at rest. The settling velocity values obtained with the proposed relationship were validated using experimental data and the model proved to be reliable and precise. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.