We present a simplified approach for calculating Doppler-broadening spectra based purely on atomic calculations. This approach avoids the need for detailed atomic positions, and can provide the characteristic Doppler-broadening momentum spectra for any element. We demonstrate the power of this method by comparing theory and experiment for a number of elemental metals and alkali halides. In the alkali halides, the annihilation appears to be entirely with halide electrons. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.