The deformations and stresses during squeeze flows are evaluated for a wider class of materials than previously covered in articles on this subject. These include generalised Newtonian fluids, yield stress fluids, as well as elastic and viscoelastic materials. Wherever possible, results are given in a compact mathematical form. The effect of different boundary conditions (no slip, perfect slip and partial slip) and how these interact with different types of material behaviour to give a variety of macroscopic responses is also discussed. The significance of this in using squeeze flow as a rheometry method is highlighted and a state-of-the-art view of squeeze flow rheometry is given. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.