Ventilatory patterns during rest, CO2 inhalation (2, 3, and 4%) and three levels of exercise were analyzed in supine men using a canopy system for noninvasive measurements. Changes in tidal volume (VT) and breathing frequency (f) with equal increases in minute ventilation (VE) differed significantly during exercise and CO2 inhalation. Increases in VE during exercise was accompanied by increases in VT and f. During CO2 inhalation, the change in frequency was less than during exercise. However, when analyzed in terms of inspiratory flow (VT/TI) and inspiratory duty cycle (TI/Ttot), the response to both stimuli was similar. With increases to twice control VE both TI/Ttot and VT/VI increased. Thereafter only VTTI increased with increasing VE. At rest, inspiratory time on a breath by breath basis increased minimally with VT, while changes in inspiratory flow accounted for the variability in VT. These two respiratory stimulants appear to increase ventilation through different mechanisms when analyzed in terms of VT and f. However, changes in inspiratory flow and duty cycle are similar in both.