In this paper, experimental results and correlations on the friction factor of screen regenerators are presented, being focused on the effect of cryogenic temperature. Cryogenic environment of helium gas is simulated by performing a simple room-temperature experiment using a higher density gas. Based on the experimental results, the proper correlations are proposed with several non-dimensional parameters. Numerical simulation results from the model with the proposed friction factor are compared to the experimental data under actual operating condition of cryocoolers. The experimental data confirm the accuracy and the availability of the proposed friction factor. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.