Using a rate‐equation model, it is shown that the behavior of the saturable‐absorber giant‐pulse (SAGP) laser can be adequately described in terms of two parameters for values of the ratio of absorber to laser absorption cross section &sgr;>200:nai′ the normalized initial inversion and &sgr;&tgr;s, where &tgr;sis the normalized absorber relaxation time. In the general case, specification ofnai′, &sgr;, and &tgr;sis required. Theoretical curves of the giant‐pulse output power, energy, and rise‐ and falltimes are presented. The results are applicable in particular to SAGP lasers employing organic‐dye absorbers.