A neutral sheet model has been developed, with parameters optimized based upon a large number of magnetometer data from the ISEE-2, IMP-8, AMPTE/IRM, and INTERBALL satellites. In this model, the equatorial-neutral sheet is best fitted by a smooth curved surface in the region up to 40 Re, with no slope discontinuities between the neutral sheet and the equatorial plane, or on the flanks of the neutral sheet. The cross-section of the magnetotail is divided into approximately equal areas above and below the equatorial-neutral sheet inside the magnetopause of the Sibeck model. An exponential dependence on Xgsm is adopted to express the influence of the tilted equatorial plane on the position of the neutral sheet, since it is found this influence weakens with increasing |Xgsm|. ¿ 2000 American Geophysical Union