AbstractA single multilayer curve was arrived at for the adsorption of nitrogen on silica gel. An empirical equation, fitted to the curve, proved to be suitable in the pore size analysis of 26 samples of silica gels; specific surface areas from 178 to 814 m2/g, mean pore radii of 12.6 up to 74.4 Å, and total pore volumes of 0.5126 to 0.8613 ml/g. Cumulative surface areas were evaluated by the procedures of BJH, Cranston and Inkley, and Roberts; the values obtained were generally in agreement with specific surface areas obtained by the BET equation,SBET, within ± 5%. The empirical equation is completely independent of the structural characteristics of the material. Comparison was made with data obtained by the use of the method of Mingle and Smith, for evaluating multilayer thickness, and which depends on both mean pore radius, and BET‐Cvalue, for each single solid. Good concordance appears between the cumulative surface areas, as well as the pore size distributions, calculated by employing either this lattert‐estimate or the empirical equ