AbstractIn this contribution we present the least‐squares finite element method (LSFEM) for the incompressible Navier‐Stokes equations. In detail, we consider a non‐Newtonian fluid flow, which is described by a power‐law model, see [1]. The second‐order problem is reformulated by introducing a first‐order div‐grad system consisting of the equilibrium condition, the incompressibility condition and the constitutive equation, which are written in residual forms, see [2]. Here, higher‐order finite elements which are an important aspect regarding accuracy for the present formulation are investigated. (© 2014 Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)