A two-dimensional mathematical model is used to investigate the parameter effects on the performance of Proton exchange membrane fuel cells with an interdigitated flow field. In the interdigitated flow field mass transfer to the reaction sites is predominantly by force convection, thus much higher limiting current density and maximum power density can be achieved compared with conventional types of flow fields. The parameter effects on the fuel cell with interdigitated flow fields are performed under a different cathode porosity, inlet oxygen mole fraction, operating temperature and pressure to obtain the overall cell potential and power density. By setting appropriate boundary conditions, especially at the cathode gas diffusion layer inlet and at the reaction surface of the gas diffusion layer/catalyst layer interface, the performance of the fuel cell with interdigitated flow fields is studied in terms of the overall cell potential. The theoretical results illustrate the importance of increasing the porosity of the gas diffusion layer to achieve a higher cell performance. Similarly, an increase in the mole fraction, operating pressure or temperature of the oxygen entering the cathode gas diffusion layer leads to a greater overall cell performance. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.