Numerical study is conducted to grasp flame characteristics in H-2/CO syngas counterflow diffusion flames diluted with He and Ar. An effective fuel Lewis number, applicable to premixed burning regime and even to moderately stretched diffusion flames, is suggested through the comparison among fuel Lewis number, effective Lewis number, and effective fuel Lewis number. Flame characteristics with and without the suppression of the diffusivities of H, H-2, and He are compared in order to clarify the important role of preferential diffusion effects through them. It is found that the scarcity of H and He in reaction zone increases flame temperature whereas that of H-2 deteriorates flame temperature. Impact of preferential diffusion of H, H-2, and He in flame characteristics is also addressed to reaction pathways for the purpose of displaying chemical effects. (C) 2008 international Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.