A model of a direct methanol fuel cell anode is presented which considers electrocatalysts to have a distribution of over potential and current density in the structure. The model is applicable to an anode based on a metal mesh supported electrocatalysts structure. Methanol oxidation is described by dual site mechanisms involving adsorbed CO an OH intermediates. The model is used to predict the electrode potential-current density behaviour of the anode. The concentration of methanol is shown to influence overall electrode polarisation characteristics and critically the selection of the mechanism for methanol oxidation has a major impact in this respect. The model gives good correspondence with experimentally observed cell polarisation behaviour. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.