The aim of the present study is to derive a mathematical pore size distribution function containing a limited number of adjustable parameters. These parameters can be determined exclusively from H-1 NMR measurements. Regular mesoporous MCM-41 materials with different pore sizes, ranging from 20 to 30 Angstrom, were synthesized and characterized by HREM, N-2 adsorption, and H-1 NMR. The pore sizes determined by Nf adsorption and HREM were in good agreement. The H-1 NMR technique was used to determine the freezing point of water enclosed in water-saturated samples. By combining N-2 adsorption and H-1 NMR measurements, a simple relation was found between the freezing point depression (Delta T) and the pore radius (R(p)) : Delta T = K/(R(p) - t(f)) with t(f) = 3.49 +/- 0 36 Angstrom. The observation that t(f) not equal 0 is tentatively explained by the formation of a surface layer of nonfreezing water of thickness t(f), which effectively reduces the actual pore radius from R(p) to R(p) - t(f). A mathematical model is derived which enables the pore size distribution to be determined from H-1 NMR intensity vs temperature measurements of water-saturated materials. The pore size distribution of amorphous’ silica determined independently by H-1 NMR and N-2 adsorption agreed well. However, the pore size of a microporous VPI-5 material (R(p) = 6.05 Angstrom) could not be predicted by the present model.