In the present work, a simple numerical model for steady-state heat transfer phenomena occurring in the sensor tube of a thermal mass flow meter (TMFM) is presented. In order to validate the proposed model, extensive experimental investigations are performed. Based on the results from the validated model, a correlation for predicting the linear range of the TMFM is presented. Finally, the effects of engineering parameters on the linear range are investigated. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.