This study was intended to develop a cost function for the natural air in-bin drying: system which could lead to an optimization of the drying system cost. Based on the cost function developed, a series of simulated drying tests were conducted with 10-year weather data (1970~1979) for 7 different regions by applying an appropriate levels of system factors. System performance factors treated in this study were initial moisture content, airflow rate, bin diameter and grain depth. An optimization procedure to find the least cost system was developed as follows: First, the worst year of the past decade was determined in consideration of the dryiang time and maximum dry matter loss. Second, the minimum airflow rate for a fixed bin diameter and grain depth was determined. Third, the optimum grain depth was found for the minimum airflow rate with different initial moisture contents and bin diameters. The results obtained in this study are summarized as follows: 1. The optimization procedure developed in this study was able to reduce the time and efforts significantly. 2. Optimum values of drying parameters including airflow rate, grain depth, and fan size were determined for different initial moisture contents and bin diameters in each region. The results are shown in Tables 3 to 9. 3. Optimum grain depths decreased as the initial moisture content and airflow rate increased. 4. Drying time for the least cost system should be reduced with higher initial moisture content and lower drying potential to prevent grain spoilage. 5. The fixed cost was 65 to 75 percent of the total system cost and the variable cost was 25 to 35 percent. To reduce the fixed cost it is desirable to use a drying bin 2 or 3 times a year.