A linear flow network model was developed for the system analysis of an orifice pulse-tube refrigerator (OPT). The flow network analysis considers the pressure as the electric voltage and the mass flow as the electric current. The linear governing equations for the flow network are derived from the continuity and the momentum equations and are analytically solved simultaneously with the energy equation derived to account for the thermal effect in the flow network. The thermal performance calculation can thus be greatly simplified by solving the equivalent circuit of the OPT using a sinusoidal signal analysis. To minimize the analytical errors, an equivalent pulse tube temperature T̄ ptm was introduced with a weighting factor W F which was determined experimentally. The linear flow network analysis provides a powerful tool for the system performance analysis of an OPT.