The purpose of this study was to determine normal population volume variables of the left ventricle as determined by different algorithms currently available. Two-dimensional echocardiography was prospectively performed on 52 normal volunteers to determine normal left ventricular volume and ejection fraction as a prerequisite to their clinical application. All echocardiograms were performed using a commercially available two-dimensional phased array sector scanner. Three algorithms were applied to three views in various combinations. Ejection fraction calculations were found to be reliable, reproducible and independent of the algorithm employed. Left ventricular volumes were larger in men than in women (probability [p] less than 0.005) despite correcting for body surface area, indicating the need for separating patients according to sex. The Simpson's rule algorithm resulted in smaller values for left ventricular volume than did any of the area-length algorithms and the data were the most reproducible as judged by intraobserver variation. The single plane area-length methods are clinically useful because they are simple, rapid to execute and reliable. Ejection fraction calculation was independent of the algorithm employed.