Several physical properties of lentil seed were evaluated as a function of moisture content. The average diameter, thickness, unit mass and volume of seed were 6·64 mm, 2·65 mm, 0·070 g and 49·08 mm3 respectively at 6·5% m.c.d.b. Studies on rewetted seed showed that as moisture content increased from 6·5 to 32·6% d.b., bulk density decreased from 1190 to 935 kg/m3, porosity increased from 27·4 to 32·0%, projected area increased from 56 to 82 mm2 and terminal velocity increased from 10·95 to 12·06 m/s. The static and dynamic coefficients of friction of lentil seed against galvanized sheet metal, plywood and rubber surfaces increased with moisture content in the range from 6·5 to 32·6% d.b. The largest coefficient of friction was against a rubber surface, ranging from 0·374 to 0·532. The effect of moisture content was as great as or greater than the difference between the surfaces. © 1996 Silsoe Research Institute.