The optimal profile of the accelerating nozzle of a jet mill is computed to provide a maximum particle velocity at the nozzle outlet. To describe one-dimensional monodispersed flow in the nozzle, the well-known set of differential equations is employed. The influence of both particle size and solids/gas mass flow rate on the optimal nozzle profile is studied. Computations show that an employment of optimized nozzles is beneficial for relatively low solids loading. An increase in particle velocities at the optimized nozzle outlet reaches 25% compared to those in a conical nozzle if the solids/gas mass flow ratio equals unity. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.