Three-dimensional numerical simulation of fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics for an inclined jet with cross-flow impinging on a heating plate is presented. The turbulent governing equations are solved by a control-volume-based finite-difference method with power-law scheme and the well-known k-epsilon turbulence model and its associate wall function to describe the turbulent structure. The velocity and pressure terms of momentum equations are solved by SIMPLE method. In addition, body fitted curvilinear coordinates system is employed. The parameters studied include the same inlet temperature of cross-flow and inclined jet (T-in = 30 and 40 degrees C), the inclined impinging jet to cross-flow velocity ratio (VR = 3-7), the heat flux (q(w)(") = 340-1000 W/m(2)), the Reynolds number of the cross-flow and the angle between the inclined jet and the bottom surface are fixed at Re = 5000 and theta = 45 degrees. The theoretical model developed is validated by comparing the predictions with available experimental data. The generation of a pair of counter-rotating longitudinal vortices is clearly observed from the computations. Heat transfer enhancement can be attained over wider span-wise region as the VR value is increased. The analysis provides a fundamental insight into the complex heat transfer characteristics for an inclined jet with cross-flow. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.