The performance predictions of a simple one-dimensional [natural draft wet cooling tower (NDWCT) model and a two-dimensional axisymmetric numerical model are compared under a range of design parameters. The two-dimensional model has the ability to resolve radial non-uniformities across the tower which the one-dimensional model only computes as a bulk averaged value. The difference between the overall cooling range predicted by the two models is generally less than 2%, with no divergence in the agreement between the methods with respect to any design parameter. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.