For a good blast furnace operation, controlling the radial gas distribution by adequately charging is essential. The radial gas distribution depends on both the local ore/coke ratio and the size segregation of the ore.Using data obtained by two different pilot plants the size segregation and radial permeability distribution of three different ways of charging as applied at Dillinger Huttenwerke, Sollac Fos and Hoogovens Staal have been investigated.For the three charging methods, hardly any size segregation was found. Apparently, at least for the industrial charging patterns investigated, the radial permeability distribution was not depending on the size segregation, but governed by the radial void fraction distribution.