Threshold friction velocity u*t is the friction velocity at which wind erosion is initiated. While u*t is affected by a range of surface and soil properties, it is a function of particle size only for idealized soils. In this paper we present a simple expression for u*t for spherical particles loosely spread over a dry and bare surface. In this expression we consider the balance between the driving forces (aerodynamic drag and lift) and the retarding forces (cohesion and gravity) and assume that the cohesive force is proportional to particle size. It is found that u*t can be expressed as Y1d+Y21/d, with Y1 and Y2 being empirical constants. The new expression is both simple and effective. ¿ 2000 American Geophysical Union