This paper deals with the numerical and analytical modelling of two-dimensional heat and moisture transfer during drying of a spherical object. Drying is considered to be a process of simultaneous heat and moisture transfer whereby moisture is vapourized by means of a drying fluid (e.g. air), as it passes over a moist object. Numerical modelling of two-dimensional heat and moisture transfer during drying of a spherical object is carried out using an explicit finite-difference approach. Temperature and moisture distributions inside the object are determined by using the developed computer code. Moreover, the results predicted from the present model are compared with the experimental data available in the literature and a considerably high agreement is found. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.