Dry grinding experiments on cement clinker were carried out using a laboratory batch ball mill equipped with a torque measurement. The influence of the ball size distribution on the specific selection function can be approached by laboratory runs using mono-size balls. The breakage is more efficient with maximal specific selection functions at the initial size reduction stage. But, in terms of cement finish grinding all stages of grinding are determinant for the production of a required Blaine surface area (3500 cm(2)/g). So, the choice of ball size according to a maximal specific selection function leads to an increase of the energy consumption. In addition, investigations on the mono-sized fractions and on the crude material (size minus 2.8 mm) demonstrate that the energy efficiency factor can be optimized using ball size corresponding to relatively low specific selection function. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.