A simple particle analyzer has been developed using a modified high speed flow‐through technique and absorption measurements of a continuous He–Ne laser beam. From pulse‐shape analysis and the integration of absorption pulses, size distributions of stained or unstained cells can be derived. The range of 5–300 &mgr; is covered without changing the flow system and a rate up to 200 000/sec can be achieved. Typical applications in cell analyses are shown.