In this study, measurements were performed to assess the overall mixing in jet-stirred reactors (JSRs) passively agitated by feed nozzles. The reactor diameter, nozzle shape, and nozzle diameter were varied to determine the effects of these geometrical parameters on mixing. The mixing was studied at ambient conditions using laser absorption spectroscopy to follow the exit concentration of a tracer gas, carbon dioxide, after a step change in its input flow. The results indicate that the use of a JSR of diameter D = 40 mm, having inclined or crossed nozzles of diameter d = 1 mm, is recommended for low residence times up to 0.4 s, while at moderate/high residence times of 0.5-5 s, the use of a JSR of D = 56 mm and d = 0.3 mm having crossed nozzles is suggested. (C) 2016 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.