Aquantitative method for the determination of thickener incorporation rates and thickener equilibration times (TET) in coatings has been developed using a digital Krebs viscometer. Upon adding thickener to a coating sample, the viscometer simultaneously provides viscosity readout and continuous mixing at constant speed with degree of agitation simulating the relatively poor mixing conditions observed in some paint production equipment near the end of the process cycle. By plotting viscosity as a function of mixing time on the instrument, rates of incorporation and equilibration were obtained. The method proved to be reliable and generally reproducible in limited testing with apparent applicability to a variety of thickener types in both aqueous solution and in actual latex coating formulations. Meaningful comparisons of incorporation are now possible to facilitate appropriate thickener selection and to provide insight regarding optimal modes of incorporation or orders of addition for process cycle time reduction.