A measuring method for the kinetic coefficient and activation energy of molten metals has been developed. This method is based on a splat thickness measurement of a molten metal droplet deposited on a polished metal substrate. An analytical solution of a non-equilibrium crystallization of a molten metal droplet impacting on a solid substrate relates the thickness of the splat to the kinetic coefficient. The dimensionless number showing the departure of the equilibrium phase transition from the non-equilibrium transition follows from the theory. The predicted values of the kinetic coefficient and activation energy agree well with the existing literature data. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.