Performance characteristics of a small propeller fan are numerically investigated solving the continuity and Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. The Reynolds stresses for turbulent transport are modelled using a k-.epsilon. turbulence model. The present numerical procedure is constructed using the Finite Volume Method with the SIMPLE algorithms. The performance parameters obtained from the calculations are compared with the measured values for the various flow rates. A performance test of the fan shows different characteristics between a radial type at small flow rates and an axial type at large flow rates. Comparisons between the predictions and the measurements show that the predicted results are in good agreement with the measured values and reasonably reproduce the sharp variations of the power and head coefficient around a flow coefficient .PHI.=0.3. These comparisons indicate that the present numerical method is capable of resolving the performance characteristics with reasonable accuracy. At low flow rates, it is found that the flow enters the fan in an axial direction and is discharged radially outward at the tip which happens in the centrifugal fan. The centrifugal effect makes a significant difference in the characteristics of a fan at the low and high values of flow coefficient.